Entertainment
19 May, 2025
Back to the future at CIAF
TRAILBLAZING designer and visionary artist Grace Lillian Lee is returning to Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) 10 years after establishing the first fashion performance – this time as a First Nations fashion partner with her brand First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD).
This year’s fair is all about going back to the origins, such is the case for a landmark partnership announced by the art fair with FNFD founded by Ms Lee who first established the fashion performance as a staple of the event.
Ms Lee’s journey began with CIAF in 2013, when she launched the fashion performance at the Ufla Upla Textile Conference. Since then, her creative leadership and founding of FNFD – a national platform supporting Indigenous designers and models – have elevated Indigenous fashion to the global stage.
Commenting on her return to the CIAF fold, the synergy of the partnership, and what can be likened to a full circle moment, she said she was embracing the moment.
“FNFD is thrilled to ignite its partnership with CIAF in a celebration of creativity and innovation,” she said.
“Together, we are embracing this new chapter dedicated to creating opportunities and pathways for designers to share their unique stories with the world.”
This year, CIAF's Look & Listen Fashion Performances at Tanks Arts Centre on July 10 and 11 will spotlight 12 First Nations designers influenced by professional development workshops from FNFD.
CIAF fashion coordinator and curator of Look & Listen, Lynelle Flinders, said partnering with FNFD is a significant opportunity to build capacity and elevate the presentation and development of Indigenous fashion.
“CIAF, in collaboration with Grace Lillian Lee and FNFD, intends to elevate designers to a more advanced stage in their careers – to help expose them to larger markets and audiences,” Ms Flinders said.
In the lead-up to the fair, FNFD will deliver five mentoring and capacity-building workshops – both in person and online –covering concept and design development, sourcing fabrics, textile knowledge, pattern making, and branding.
This year’s Look & Listen performances – reimagined under Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn – will be presented as two distinct showcases. Look invites audiences to engage with the visual power of six dynamic designers, including Sandra and Shara Delaney, Robert Tommy Pau, Irene Robinson and Darlene Fell, Hope Vale Arts Centre, Felicity Chapman and a guest collaboration.
Listen shifts the focus to storytelling, featuring collections by Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, Lisa Lui, and others.
To buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/4mdgu6i
