New Delhi,
A touch of Australia’s ancient spirit met the pulse of contemporary India last evening, as the Australian High Commission, in collaboration with Kirrikin and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), presented a spectacular showcase celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of Australia’s First Nations designers.
The spotlight shone on Kirrikin—an Indigenous Australian luxury label founded by Amanda Healy, a proud Wonnarua woman and advocate of social enterprise. Making its Indian debut, Kirrikin brought to the runway a collection that translated hand-painted First Nations artworks into elegant, modern silhouettes. Each piece carried with it the soul of the land — vivid prints inspired by stories, landscapes, and ancestral connections — reimagined through refined tailoring and contemporary design.
What made the moment particularly poignant was its deeper thread of collaboration. Designed in Australia and crafted in Noida, Kirrikin stands as a model of creative partnership under the Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, seamlessly weaving together two nations through design, artistry, and shared values of sustainability and inclusivity.
Guests from the diplomatic community, fashion industry, and cultural circles gathered for the evening — a confluence of art, heritage, and modern style. The atmosphere resonated with a live Didgeridoo performance by First Nations artists, its deep, rhythmic tones evoking an age-old spiritual connection to the land.
Australian High Commissioner to India, H.E. Philip Green OAM, captured the sentiment, saying, “This event is a powerful celebration of the creativity, resilience, and cultural richness of Australia’s First Nations peoples. Kirrikin’s journey exemplifies the strength of trade and cultural exchange under the Australia–India partnership. We are proud to bring their designs to the Delhi runway in collaboration with FDCI.”
For Amanda Healy, the showcase marked both a professional and personal milestone. “Bringing First Nations fashion, art, and storytelling to India is an honour,” she shared. “This collaboration celebrates not just design but also the creativity and powerful voices of Indigenous Australian artists.”
FDCI Chairman Sunil Sethi echoed the sentiment: “Fashion has always been a bridge between cultures. This event beautifully merges the narratives of two creative worlds — India’s design legacy and Australia’s First Nations artistry.”
Charge De’Affairs Nick McCaffrey
Sunil Sethi – Chairman – FDCI
Adding a strategic perspective, Swati Dave, Chair of the Centre for Australia–India Relations, said, “Supporting First Nations businesses like Kirrikin to increase trade and visibility in India reflects our ongoing commitment to deeper cultural and economic ties. Through art and design, we connect people and stories across continents.”
The evening’s showcase not only introduced India to the distinctive voice of Australia’s Indigenous fashion but also underscored the evolving creative synergy between the two nations — one that celebrates diversity, sustainability, and design innovation.
As the final models took their bow, the message was clear: Kirrikin had not just brought fashion to Delhi — it had brought a story, woven from land, legacy, and a shared creative future.
