Aboriginal Clothing + Accessory Brands in Australia

Aboriginal clothing and accessory brands are growing in popularity in Australia, from online stores to runways - from remote communities to the capitals, this growth and awareness is becoming evident across the country.

Aboriginal clothing and accessory brands often draw inspiration from Country, ancestors and community, valuing sustainability, social impact and honouring artisans. They not only empower their communities, but also promote and preserve their culture. All these brands give Aboriginal fashion a great place in the industry as they set a whole new standard of designing, manufacturing and distributing garments.

There are already a lot of Aboriginal clothing brands in Australia, but we personally chose our ten favourite labels, including our very own Dulcie Dot. Let’s look at each one of them.

Aboriginal Activewear Brand: Jarin Street

Jarin Street Image

Our first aboriginal brand is Jarin Street. Jarin Street is a yoga clothing and equipment brand based in Sydney and owned by Jarin Baigent, a Wiradjuri woman. They offer activewear, mats, towels and more that incorporate Aboriginal art in their designs. Jarin Street began by noticing the misappropriation of Aboriginal art and the industry's failure to safeguard Aboriginal artists and designs, as well as a failure to recognize the artists themselves. They want wellbeing to be the pathway of connecting with Aboriginal artists.

“I stand for self-determination and economic independence for Aboriginal people and have built Jarin Street on this ethos. I stand for creating sustainable futures for our children.” - Jarin Baigent, owner of Jarin Street

Aboriginal Streetwear Brand: Clothing the Gaps

Clothing the Gaps is an Aboriginal streetwear label managed by health professionals. The brand name’s word play is related to the Australian government’s initiative of “Closing the Gap” between the life expectancy of Aboriginal people and non-Indigenous Australians. Interestingly, their products are categorised into two: “Ally Friendly” and “Mob Only”.They are awarded “Business of the Year at the 2020 Dreamtime Awards, and hold an Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation.

Aboriginal Swimwear Brand: Liandra Swim

Liandra Swim is a premium swimwear brand that fuses Aboriginal culture in their designs. Each collection they release represents a unique story, and are inspired by “livid experience and individual journey”. Each of their pieces are sold separately to allow mixing and matching of styles and sizes. They also operate under ethical business practices, and promote eco-consciousness. They are one of the brands at the 2021 Afterpay Australia Fashion Week. 

Aboriginal Fashion Brand: Gammin Threads

Gammin Threads is owned by Tahnee from the Yorta Yorta, Taungurung, Boonwurrung & Mutti Mutti nations. It sells deadly chill clothing and accessories to people who believe in living colourfully, giving respect to women, and empowering them.

Gammon Threads is Tahnee’s side hustle from her full time work in an Aboriginal family violence prevention service.

Aboriginal Label: Deadly Denim

Deadly Denim is an Indigenous denim sustainable fashion label. Founded by Rebecca Rickard a Ballardong, Whadjuk woman from the Nyungar nation, they offer recycled apparel showcasing Indigenous art. They also upcycle denim jackets and provide personalisation, where you can choose your own fabric to be sewn onto your own jacket. All of the tiny remnants of these beautiful fabrics are donated to a local sewing club in a women's correctional facility. 

Aboriginal Art: Grillawarra Arts

Gillawarra Arts is a creative arts company based on the NSW mid-north coast. Krystal Hurst is a Worimi woman who creates handcrafted jewellery from natural materials and specialises in modern Aboriginal artwork on canvas, murals, and seminars. Their works are inspired by the sky, land, rivers, and sea. Aboriginal women blended old and modern stories to give wearers a sense of pride, connection, and empowerment. Their jewellery sings Aboriginal rich and alive culture, language, and memories. 

Aboriginal Jewellry: Haus of Dizzy

Haus of Dizzy is a jewellry brand owned by Wiradjuri woman Kristy Dickinson. They make bright, creative, statement-making jewellery that honours and celebrates Indigenous culture, giving everyone who wears it a sense of empowerment and joy. Each Haus of Dizzy sculpture is conceived, laser-cut, hand-painted, and constructed in the company's studio in Fitzroy, Melbourne/Naarm, often with potent political and social statements. 

The Koorie Circle

The Koorie Circle was created by Laura Thompson, a Gunditjmara woman and artist living and working in Melbourne. They sell earrings that are designed and influenced by Aboriginal culture. Some are made from sustainable wood and are hand-painted and varnished. Laura's collection grew out of a desire to create works that tell a story while honouring Aboriginal Australia's culture, history, and identity. Each piece is signed by the artist and designed to be worn with pride. 

Aboriginal Curation: Trading Blak

Dulcie Dot

DulcieDot is an ethically produced children's apparel line that collaborates with Aboriginal Artists, our key garments are designed to grow with your child. Our goal is to continue our culture and connection with Indigenous and non-Indigenous children by clothing and educating the future generation with Aboriginal stories. I wanted to develop a place where our people could proudly share and celebrate the stories of Country through wearable art.  

Aboriginal clothing brands in Australia may have different offerings and concepts, but we all want to share our stories to the current and next generations. We are not competitors to each other, rather we play our own part in giving back to our community, and every product you purchase from any of us is a big contribution to our common advocacy.

Ngali Garima mala jugun, Ngaliwana janja mala jugun (We look after this country, we don’t harm this country).