Leading design and property firms Architectus, MPA, and Slattery proudly united as The Consortium to champion First Nations design talent, thrusting local creatives onto the world stage at the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival on Thursday 7th March. This collaborative effort supported the festival’s First Nations Pathways Programme, a joint initiative with Mob in Fashion.

The programme equips First Nations creatives with learning and training placements, networking opportunities, and pathways to paid work and scholarships. Mob in Fashion, a First Nations-led organisation, spearheads this initiative, offering culturally rich learning experiences. 

The financial backing from The Consortium facilitates the creation of paid work placements for First Nations creatives and event professionals throughout the festival. The continued commitment of The Consortium to the Festival and its unwavering support for the First Nations Pathways Programme underscores their shared dedication to reconciliation and the advancement, acknowledgment, and celebration of First Nations talent in the design and creative sectors.

Founder of Mob in Fashion, Nathan McGuire said: “Mob in Fashion sincerely values the ongoing support from The Consortium of the First Nations Pathways Programme. Our goal is to offer meaningful industry-level opportunities that will significantly benefit individuals participating in the program. This support directly influences our community members and profoundly impacts the lives and careers of the creatives engaged with the Festival. With our continuous expansion and growth, The Consortium has played a crucial role in helping us achieve our objectives and maintain a high standard of work. Our relationship has evolved organically, driven by shared values of reconciliation between the Festival and The Consortium. Together with Mob in Fashion, we anticipate continued success.”

The Premium Runway Series, a highlight of the festival, featured the Emerging Mob in Fashion Runway x Fujitsu which was held on Thursday March 7th. Set against the backdrop of the Royal Exhibition Building on Wurundjeri Country, the designer talent lineup for the runway included artists Delvene Cockatoo- Collins, Jasmine Craciun, Lychee Alkira, Yapa Mali; local Naarm designer, Corin Corcoran; resort and swimwear labels, GALI and Kirrikin; and sustainable jewellery makers, Solid Ochre and Wagan Metals. 

Emerging Mob in Fashion Runway x Fujitsu also highlighted the talents of emerging First Nations creatives in various roles, including Creative Director, Stylist, Make-up Artists, and Event Assistants.

This marks the third consecutive year of The Consortium’s involvement in the festival, underscoring their unwavering dedication to amplifying First Nations voices and representation within the fashion industry.

Reflecting on The Consortium’s involvement, Architectus Principal Clients + Communications, Ruth Wilson said, “It’s been the third year since we joined forces amidst the aftermath of COVID-19. The sponsorship of the First Nations Runway provided a much-needed sense of excitement and camaraderie as we emerged from the pandemic. Shiva, from Melbourne Fashion Festival, was instrumental in bringing us together. His recent passing was a profound loss. We’re honoured to carry forward his vision and legacy.”

The collaboration between architecture, fashion, and indigenous design reflects an intersection of creative industries. 

Wilson shares, “There are so many interesting parallels between architecture and indigenous fashion. Both of us put the person at the heart of what we do. With fashion, it’s about how you feel inside when you wear the clothes, and we’d like to think that about our buildings as well, that we can create environments that are uplifting for people, make them feel happy, supported, nurtured, excited—a range of positive emotions. I’m sure that fashion designers are thinking the same thing.”

Wilson continues, highlighting parallels in materiality and technique, “As an architect, you’re working with a palette of materials and it’s a broad palette but not an endless one. There’s the technique to bring it together. I think there are a lot of parallels between the training with classic dressmaking and architecture because it relates to thinking in 2D and 3D at the same time.”

“Architectus is proud to continue our support for First Nations design through the Paypal Melbourne Fashion Festival, it’s wonderful to be able to play a part in recognising First Nations design professionals and the creatives working behind the scenes to deliver a major event that seamlessly merges the worlds of art, fashion, design, and culture. We’re looking forward to another stellar show and excited to see these multi-talented designers bring their work to life.”

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