First Nations Fashion Designers see their creations become reality with Epson digital printing solutions

Epson's applications and training specialist Derek Mobbs working with The Incubator program participants to help digitise and print their designs

Since Epson signed their landmark technology and sustainability agreement to support First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD), each of the designers who participated in the inaugural FNFD x THE ICONIC Incubator training program have now completed the unique course. Throughout and now at the end of the Incubator program, the designers had their unique designs digitised and printed by Epson via Epson digital printing solutions.

FNFD founder and chairperson, Grace Lillian Lee, explained, "We were so lucky to have Epson's Derek Mobbs come out and scan the artists' paintings and digitise the files. This was done on the Epson Expression 11000XL A3 scanner, a high-resolution A3 scanner designed to meet the most demanding graphic arts applications, that Derek bought to our hub at the Powerhouse Museum. Derek then spent time knitting the images together to make a repeat print that could be printed at length on the amazing Epson ML-8000 textile printer. There was a lot of care taken by the team at Epson to respectfully adjust the prints in order for them to become textile designs, with Derek consulting with each designer to make sure that he wasn't changing the story of their artworks. First Nations artists and designers use their works as a form of storytelling and the integrity of these stories were very important to Derek and his process."

Epson Australia MD, Craig Heckenberg said, "It is very exciting to see the work and dreams of these amazing First Nations designers become reality. We at Epson are delighted to be able to help tell their unique stories by using Epson digital printing technologies."

Clearly the team at FNFD are very grateful for all the support and time provided by Epson to the winning designers who took part in The Incubator program.  

Lee added, "There has been so much respect and care taken by the Epson team to make sure that the fabric is the correct format, sizing and configuration. The gifted fabric allowed the designers to play with scale and placement of their prints without price being a barrier. It also enabled them access to a large quantity of great quality fabrics for the sampling of their ranges so that they could meet quicker than usual deadlines for production and photoshoots."

With Epson's help the designers were able to skip the toile stage of their sampling - usually done on a plain calico to save money - to doing it immediately, in the moment and with the fabric they eventually intended to use in final production.

Grace Lee concluded, "Epson's help, support and printing expertise has been truly invaluable. The designers were so happy with their fabrics that they ordered bigger quantities for their manufacturing component of the program. Selected pieces and designs will be stocked on THE ICONIC website from 31 January and will be showcased at the upcoming FNFD X THE ICONIC event at the China Heights Gallery in Surry Hills on the same date."

For more on the Epson ML-8000 digital textile printer go to: https://www.epson.com.au/Products/IndustrialProducts/DisplayMain.asp?id=ML-8000&groupid=180

For more on FNFD go to: https://firstnationsfashiondesign.com 

Follow Epson on social media:
LinkedIn: @Epson-Australia
Facebook: @EpsonAustralia
Twitter: @EpsonAust
YouTube: @EpsonAustralia
Instagram: @EpsonAust

Picture credits
Epson's applications and training specialist Derek Mobbs working with The Incubator program participants to help digitise and print their designs.
The Epson Monna Lisa ML-8000 direct-to-fabric printer.
FNFD x THE ICONIC Incubator Program participants watching the Monna Lisa ML-8000 print out their designs at the Epson Experience Centre in Yennora.
FNFD's founder and chairperson, Grace Lillian Lee and Epson Australia MD, Craig Heckenberg.

Ends

About Epson and Epson Australia
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion.

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Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983 Epson Australia is headquartered in Macquarie Park, NSW and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.com.au 

About First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD)
FNFD is an NFP Indigenous Corporation whose core business is in supporting the growth of the Indigenous Fashion sector. A national voice representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, creating ongoing access to opportunities, skill development and industry engagement. FNFD prides itself on delivering efficient, effective solutions across the ecology of the growing Indigenous Fashion Ecology. 
 
The FNFD program provides a national platform for grassroots art collectives and artists to showcase Indigenous-led arts, dance and fashion. In doing so, this unique and progressive initiative also enables a space for cultural expression, celebration and the continued dialogue of Indigenous knowledge.

One of our key aims of FNFD is to assist to improve the economic status of First Nations designers and communities, through increasing enterprise capability, and investment into community made arts and products. Beyond that, it is also a chance to celebrate Indigenous independent designers and increase their design skills and profile.

FNFD aims to promote ethical trading, and best practice when working with, purchasing or licensing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander arts, prints, designs, and cultural products.
https://firstnationsfashiondesign.com