General News
15 June, 2023
Designer hits a high
Talented Indigenous creator takes her Jarawee label to a new level
PROUD Quandamooka woman and prominent Indigenous designer Briana Enoch will take her label Jarawee to new heights through The Iconic x FNFD Incubator program for Indigenous fashion.
Ms Enoch and her brand Jarawee were chosen from a cohort of 25 Indigenous designers in Australia. The Iconic and First Nations Fashion + Design have partnered to support Indigenous fashion.
Through their sevenmonth pilot incubator program, First Nations designers will receive hands-on experience, industry and manufacturing development and the opportunity to sell their collection through The Iconic.
“Jarawee was my traditional name given to me when I was a baby, and it means ‘pretty little bird’,” she said.
“I loved my culture, and I love fashion, and I wanted to infuse the two.
“The only thing I could connect with fashion at the time was hand-painted shoes and bags until I could figure out how to put my artwork on fabric.
“Now I’m at the point where I need to manufacture the clothes, which is exciting, but this program has paired us with industry mentors to get us to that next phase with our fashion label.”
The program aims to help designers create commercially viable and sustainable business models through mentoring with industry trailblazers like Pip Edwards (P.E, Nation), Johnny Schembri (By Johnny), and Laura and Tristan Liles (King Csilla), plus respected cultural mentors.
“I was surprised I made it into the top six, and to make it into the final three, I was gobsmacked,” Ms Enoch said.
“My brand has been sought after, but I need to get through the manufacturing process because people want to buy my stuff.
“I’ve been linked with Pip Edwards, and she said ‘Whatever you need help with, I will introduce you to whoever you need from my team,’ so I’m excited.
“I’ll have my first meeting with my cultural mentor Julie Shaw from MAARA Collective, and she’s showing that we (First Nations) can get into this industry and bring our cultural heritage with our fashion designs.”
Ms Enoch said her goal was to solve her manufacturing issues and promote Indigenous fashion.
“I’m most excited about connecting with the right people to help me with the next stage of the manufacturing process,” she said.
“It’s a big opportunity, but it’s also scary because you don’t want to fail, but as First Nations people, we learn to be resilient and persevere.
“I’m taking my culture with me, and I hope to inspire our young people because what we learn, we want to pass that on.”
To find out more about the Iconic x FNFD program, visit
