Liandra Gaykamangu might have traded the classroom for the design room after founding her eponymous swim- and resort-wear label, Liandra, but the former teacher
still has some important lessons to share.
“When I was younger, I got stuck ticking the boxes of life: straight into university from high school, and then straight into a cookie cutter job,” she tells marie claire ahead of the Women of the Year Awards. “If I could have a conversation with twenty-year-old me, I would tell myself to be brave.”
Fortunately, Gaykamangu eventually took that leap of faith, launching her label in 2018.
Fuelled by a love of her country, culture and people, the Yolngu woman from north-east Arnhem Land quickly established herself as a unique voice in the fashion industry, seamlessly blending Indigenous Australian storytelling with contemporary swim- and resort-wear.
This year, the designer graduated to her first solo show at Australian Fashion Week, after being named one of four Next Gen award winners at the event in 2023. “The Fashion Week standalone debut this year was a mammoth undertaking,” says Gaykamangu.
“I am so incredibly proud to have presented the brand in a way that truly highlighted [its] essence, our joy, and love of culture, country and community.”
We can’t wait to see what she does next.
marie claire’s 2024 Women of the Year Awards are presented by Swarovski and supported by Volvo, Max Mara, Revlon, Dr Lewinns and G.H. Mumm.
This article originally appeared on Marie Claire Australia and is republished here with permission.
