A mother and daughter designer team from northern NSW will showcase their striking creations on Wednesday night at the internationally acclaimed Australian Fashion Week.
Lauren Jarrett, a Stolen Generations survivor, and her daughter Melissa Greenwood will display a series of creations from their label Miimi & Jiinda (meaning mother and sister) at the event underway in Sydney.
They are among seven of Australia's emerging First Nations designers whose creations will feature as part of the Fashion Week's Indigenous Fashion Projects Runway.
The pair hail from the Gumbaynggir, Dunghutti and Bundjalung tribes on Australia's east coast, and their collection features Indigenous-themed artwork.
"We are going to be showcasing our collection called Burraaba which means 'unearthed' in Gumbaynggir language," Greenwood said.
Ms Greenwood says the collection has been "influenced by the creation stories and hero ancestors of Gumbaynggirr Country", referencing the colours and stories of Country.
"It is a collection of men's and women's wear in beautiful silk, cottons and linens and has our beautiful artwork all over it … they will all be adorned with mum's beautiful woven pieces.
"Highlighting our culture is very, very important to us … it's a part of who we are."
The mother and daughter team created their label five years ago. Being chosen to take part in Australian Fashion Week came as a big surprise.
"It feels amazing. Five years ago, we would not have known that this was going to be a reality," Greenwood said.
"It's very exciting. It's quite surreal that we are here."
A healing creative process
Miimia & Jiinda was the inspiration of Greenwood, who was keen to work with her mum to showcase their culture.
She says the process has also helped them overcome past trauma.
Jarrett was taken from her family at Bowraville on the New South Wales Mid North Coast in 1966 when she was nine years old and placed in Cowper Orphanage, near Grafton.
She has described the experience as being "devastating" and "like the end of the world".
Jarrett was released from the orphanage aged 18, went on to have two daughters and a son, and raised them as a single mum.
Greenwood says it's been incredible to see her mum find new confidence and she can't wait to see her shine on the Fashion Week stage.
"I never thought Mum would accept the opportunity to walk on the runway," she said.
"She will be walking on the runway in a beautiful silk dress that we have made for her and a woven cloak that she has been weaving for the past few months.
"That's something that Mum would never have dreamed of, that she would be walking the runway at Australian fashion week.
"It is beautiful to see her enjoying it and coming out of her shell."
Jarrett says it's a special opportunity.
"I have created my woven pieces with plant materials collected on Country," she said.
"This definitely means a lot to us.
"We are highlighting our Gumbaynggir culture … we are doing it for our matriarchy line."
Greenwood's brother will open their show.
"My little brother will wear a silk [outfit], and he will be all painted up in ochre and wearing a woven headpiece that mum made," Greenwood said.
The pair, from the Nambucca Valley, have worked "non-stop" with a small local team for the past seven months to complete their creations.
"It's been many, many months of hard work to get to today and we just can't wait," Greenwood said.
