Global Indigenous Runway transforms lives and shapes futures of Indigenous fashion!
Announcement posted by Reconnect PR 27 Feb 2024
MEDIA RELEASE - 27 February 2024
Melbourne, Australia - on the 3rd March 2024, the ground-breaking and internationally acclaimed Global Indigenous Runway will demonstrate how it is transforming the lives and shaping the future of Indigenous fashion with this year's theme, Ancestral Bloodlines. This powerful showcase, part of the prestigious PAYPAL Melbourne Fashion Festival's Independent Programme 2024, takes place at the Melbourne Museum and promises a stunning celebration of design and Indigenous culture.
This year, the Global Indigenous Runway Project (GIRP) is excited to announce it will have designers and models from four ASEAN member states of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Laos, celebrating the connections between First Nations' Culture and Peoples from Australia and the ASEAN region.
It will be the biggest show yet; featuring theatrical elements, cultural practices, and the music will intertwine as eleven collections are showcased. This unique and captivating event offers a profound immersion into the diverse ancestral heritages represented.
"I envisioned a platform where Indigenous youth could reclaim their narratives and showcase their talents on a global stage," says Tina Waru, Founder and CEO of GIRP. "Fashion became the bridge, connecting tradition with innovation, while fostering cultural pride and economic opportunities."
GIRP's contribution to promoting and supporting excellence in design among First Nations Peoples' saw it win two gold awards at the prestigious MUSE Design and Creative Awards 2023, regarded as the Oscars of the design industry.
This pioneering program is a platform to empower First Nations young people to express their creativity, providing pathways to education, employment, and cultural connection. It extends far beyond fashion design. From fabric and print design to modelling, photography, hair and make-up, and choreography, the program offers diverse avenues for creative expression, and for young people to access training not otherwise available to them. This holistic approach cultivates essential skills, builds confidence, and nurtures and promotes Indigenous talent.
To date it has supported over 1800 First Nations young people. Participants receive training, mentorship, and networking opportunities, helping them translate their talents into sustainable careers. A model participant said, "As someone that has been diagnosed with severe PTSD I know how hard it is to imagine that anything good can happen. You just have to put yourself out there, be consistent and stay humble. My passion is knowledge. I have learned a lot from this experience, beyond being a model. and I will share this insight with my son and my community. I am grateful for the opportunity!"
Global Indigenous Runway's Ancestral Bloodlines show is taking place on Sunday 3 March at the Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street at 7:30pm. Tickets can be purchased at globalindigenousmanagement.com
For further information, photo opportunities and interviews, please get in touch.
Media Contact: Jane Harris 435 720 097 or email janeharris777@gmail.com