Country to Couture Makes History with First Two-Night Showcase

Australia’s largest annual First Nations fashion showcase has entered an exciting new chapter, with Country to Couture launching its first-ever two-night runway event on Larrakia Country.

Now in its 11th year, the event has grown from a modest showcase within the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair to the nation’s leading platform celebrating First Nations fashion, culture and creativity. This year’s expansion forms part of the DAAF Foundation’s 20th anniversary celebrations, reflecting the event’s continued growth and impact.

The opening runway featured 11 collections presented under the powerful theme Carried by Our Matriarchs – From Legacy, We Rise. Designers paid tribute to the generations of First Nations women whose artistry, knowledge and cultural leadership continue to shape communities today. Through contemporary fashion, each collection honoured the strength of matriarchs, the importance of collaboration, and the enduring traditions and stories passed down through generations.

Country to Couture continues to provide a national stage for First Nations designers to share their work while celebrating culture through innovation, storytelling and design.

By bringing together established and emerging designers from across Australia, the event creates opportunities for cultural exchange, industry recognition and meaningful conversations through fashion.

As the showcase enters this new era, it reinforces the growing influence of Indigenous fashion within Australia’s creative industries and its role in preserving and celebrating cultural knowledge for future generations.