Indigenous Fashion Designer
Simone Arnol is making waves in the fashion world with her incredible designs that blend art, culture, and storytelling. She is descended from the Gunggandji Peoples (Yarrabah) through her father and her mother is of Sicilian heritage. Coming from the breath-taking landscapes of Far North Queensland, Simone draws deeply on her Indigenous heritage and Australia’s rich traditions. Her designs aren’t just clothes, they’re wearable art that celebrates identity, history, and the power of self-expression.
Growing up in a tight-knit community surrounded by nature and guided by the wisdom of her elders, Simone developed a strong appreciation for storytelling and craftsmanship. These early influences shine through in everything she creates.
Simone’s work is all about celebrating culture and individuality. Every piece she designs reflects her deep connection to the land and her people. She uses hand-painted designs, natural fabrics, and traditional techniques, reimagined in a fresh, modern way. Her art goes beyond fashion, tackling themes of Indigenous identity, culture, and spirituality in moving collections like Silence, seeRed, and Medicine Clay.
What’s especially inspiring about Simone is her dedication to preserving and passing down traditional practices. She’s committed to keeping techniques like natural dyeing alive and uses recycled materials to honour both cultural and environmental values. Simone doesn’t just work on her own creations. She collaborates with Indigenous arts and cultural centres in Yarrabah and Pormpuraaw, helping bring their work to wider audiences. She’s been instrumental in showcasing their indigenous fashion designs on runways and in editorials.
Simone’s incredible talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s won several major awards, including the National Indigenous Fashion Designer Award in 2024. For that she receives a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road. Three years earlier, Simone was received the Environmental and Social Contribution Award as part of the National Indigenous Fashion Designer Awards. Most recently, Simone Arnol was awarded a Creative Australia Flourish Grant.
Her collections have been shown at major fashion weeks and in galleries across Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, wowing audiences with their originality and authenticity. Critics from around the world have praised her ability to combine traditional and modern elements, calling her work “a masterclass in cultural fusion.”
But Simone isn’t just a brilliant designer, or a stand out indigenous fashion designer. She’s a true trailblazer. She uses her art to challenge the status quo and empower others, especially women from diverse backgrounds, to embrace their unique identities. In a fashion world that’s leaning more and more toward diversity and sustainability, Simone’s work stands out as both meaningful and refreshing.
Simone Arnol’s courage and creativity are woven into everything she does, from her bold visual storytelling to her commitment to uplifting her community. She’s not just designing clothes, she’s crafting legacies. It’s this mix of talent, dedication, and vision that makes her a standout and a name that everyone should know.
Follow Simone on Instagram at @simone_arnol
All Images: via Simone Arnol Instragram page
