Australia's FNFD & GFG's The Iconic to foster First Nations designers

Expressions of Interest for the eight-month programme opens to aspiring First Nations designers from December 1, 2022, with the programme commencing in April 2023. Informed by ongoing feedback from the First Nations creative community, the programme will offer First Nations designers inclusive, real-world learning opportunities through mentorship, workshops, gathering, events, and tangible resources, with the aim to create commercially viable and sustainable business models, according to a press release by GFG.

The programme will collaboratively address the unique challenges faced by First Nations designers in the mainstream retail ecosystem, such as establishing culturally sensitive and sustainable ways to scale. Additionally, it will provide The Iconic with a unique opportunity to learn from First Nations designers in an effort to ensure the fashion retail environment, and its platform, better facilitates the economic empowerment of Indigenous business owners.

“It’s fantastic to see a major retailer like The Iconic show real, tangible support and commitment to the First Nations fashion community. Interest in First Nations fashion has exploded in recent years, with designers like Nungala Creative and Clothing the Gaps piquing the interest of the mainstream with considered, sustainable, and beautiful designs that pay respect to country and culture,” said Grace Lillian Lee, founder and CEO FNFD.

“We are incredibly honoured to be launching this Incubator Programme in partnership with FNFD. The talent within the First Nations community is a force to be reckoned with, and we’re proud to have had the opportunity to co-design and co-develop such a robust programme as part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of First Nations fashion. Working in allyship with Australia’s First Nations peoples is deeply important to us as we play our part in contributing to the long-term economic viability of the First Nations fashion industry,” said Erica Berchtold, The Iconic chief executive officer.

Applicants to The Iconic X FNFD Incubator Programme will be reviewed by a selection panel made up of leading experts from the fashion, design, and First Nations communities including FNFD founder and CEO, Grace Lillian Lee; Global Fashion Group’s chief brand partnerships officer, Melanie Smallwood; Indigenous model and Australian icon, Elaine George; founder of Australian Indigenous Fashion, Yatu Widders Hunt; Australian designer Johnny Schembri of By Johnny; Harper’s Bazaar’s fashion and features news director, Patty Huntington; and Carriageworks’ director First Nations programmes, Jacob Boehme. The panel will select three aspiring First Nations fashion designers to complete the 2023 pilot programme over the course of eight months.

The 2023 Incubator Programme has been designed as a comprehensive pilot, which will set the tone for an annual intake of new creatives. The programme will be open to First Nations creatives of all backgrounds and generations and is not limited to just fashion designers, with jewellery and accessory designers, graphic artists, textile artists, and more encouraged to apply.  Further details will be announced early in the new year, including the appointment of three established First Nations creatives to act as cultural mentors to the successful applicants, alongside three retail industry leaders. The role of the mentors will be to provide a combination of cultural guidance and industry expertise throughout the duration of the Incubator programme and beyond, added the release.

The relationship with FNFD forms a key part of a First Nations-led approach to The Iconic’s Indigenous engagement strategy, recently announced as part of The Iconic and GFG’s vision to be ‘People & Planet Positive’. The 2030 strategy outlines five strategic pillars designed to drive positive environmental and social change, while looking after its people. FNFD has also supported the penning of The Iconic’s Innovative Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which is designed to guide The Iconic’s ongoing reconciliation commitments from 2023–2025. FNFD participated in the advisory panel through 2022, providing valuable insights to inform the drafting of the Innovative RAP.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (NB)