Indigenous Fashion Designers Recognised
Congratulations to Lynelle Flinders of Sown in Time and Desert-Rain Magpie of Magpie Dreaming. These two fashion creatives have been named the inaugural recipients of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s fashion and textile design accelerator program, BLOOM. They will showcase their work at CIAF 2024.
Having answered the call for expressions of interest launched towards the end of 2023, the successful recipients have an exceptional opportunity to propel their creative fashion and textile enterprises into a vibrant and sustainable future.
Lynelle Flinders and Desert-Rain Magpie will receive business mentorship, skills training, and industry connections in the coming months, culminating in a performance-ready collection for the 15th anniversary season of CIAF, 25-28 July 2024.
According to CIAF’s Artistic Director Francoise Lane, BLOOM aligns beautifully with the event’s strategic plan and is the first program of its kind in the organisation’s 15-year history.
“We created BLOOM for fashion design and textile artists to support the production of quality fashion garments and textiles that are retail market ready.”
It was CIAF’s 2013 fashion performance that pioneered Australia’s Indigenous fashion movement, which is now a much-loved highlight of the CIAF annual program.
“The inaugural Bloom Textile Development mentorship is a chance to work with industry leaders and mentors to grow my professional artistic practice and learn about the world of textile design.
-Lynelle Flinders, Inaugural Recipient, BLOOM
“After attending CIAF for the first time in 2023, I was inspired by what I saw at the fashion shows and would love to learn more about the work behind the scenes,” said Lynelle Flinders.
“I am currently studying a Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Australian Art at Griffith University, so the knowledge I gain from this mentorship will be shared with my Indigenous cohort, and it will benefit many of us emerging artists interested in textile arts.”
“I am very grateful to CIAF for this opportunity to work with First Nations organisations and develop work with them to a high professional standard.”
“Can’t wait to share my creations at the 15th anniversary of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 25-28 July!”
-Desert-Rain, INAUGURAL Recipient, BLOOM
Desert-Rain Magpie is a First Nations artist who has a passion for working with parents and children to strengthen cultural identity. She is a Noongar woman from South-West Western Australia currently living and raising a family on Kombumerri Country in the Gold Coast. Desert-Rain uses her cultural art and weaving to manage her anxiety and PTSD, conditions she experiences after 10 years in the military. She also teaches these skills to help others with their well-being.
Both artists will be showcasing their works at the 15th CIAF 2024. This year’s fashion performance is entitled: Light the Fire. It will take place on July 25-26 at the Tank Arts Centre, Cairns.
Featured Image: A hand screen ‘seagrass’ printed jumpsuit in silk dupion by Michelle Yeatman and handwoven earrings by Philomena Yeatman from Yarrabah Arts Centre.
See the CIAF 2024 Program Highlights.
See previous:
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2022
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2021 Goes Digital
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2021
Cairns Indigenous Fashion Showcase
