For fashion designer Simone Arnol fashion and culture are deeply intertwined.
The Cairns-based artist insists that every model who wears her designs learns about the ancient cultural craftwork of her Indigenous ancestors.
‘All my models that wear my designs go out on Country, they learn how to identify the plant, then how to make the dye, and then they get to model the designs. So it’s passing on culture through fashion,’ Simone said.
‘My designs are based on traditional dyeing, and I use recycled material, so it’s on the lines of sustainability and caring for Country,’ Simone said.
Simone’s designs were on display during the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2019 fashion show.
The performance, Buwal-Burra… Messenger: Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. showcased the diversity of Far North Queensland’s fashion designers – from Delissa Walker’s intricate weaving to the vibrant colours of Hopevale Arts and the natural fibres from Wild Barra.
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is supported by the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support Program.
Image: Indigenous fashion on show at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
