From Yirrganydji Country to the bright lights of the Big Apple

07 Sep 2026

Gimuy/Cairns-based designer Nicole Enoch-Chatfield is preparing to take her designs from Far North Queensland to one of the world’s great fashion capitals after being selected to participate in Indigenous New York Fashion Week (INYFW) this September.

The emerging designer and creative behind the fashion label Goompi’s Girl will travel to New York to showcase her latest Saltwoven collection at the international Indigenous-led fashion event held during New York Fashion Week.

The opportunity follows a significant period of creative momentum for Enoch-Chatfield, including her participation in this year’s Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) Fashion Performance at The Mill, where her work was shown alongside collections by Indigenous designers from Queensland and abroad.

Among the international guests at CIAF were the founders of INYFW, Korina Emmerich and Liana Shewey of New York-based Relative Arts, who presented a 10-look collection featuring work from several New York-based designers.

Emmerich and Shewey’s participation in CIAF’s On Country Program was supported by Trade and Investment Queensland, following a recommendation from Quandamooka designer Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, also set to showcase her collection at INYFW.

Cockatoo-Collins’ arrival on the international platform follows a standout year, winning CIAF’s inaugural Cultural Couture Award in July before being named Fashion Designer of the Year at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards in Garramilla/Darwin.

For proud Yirrganydji and Nughi woman Mrs Enoch-Chatfield, born and raised in Gimuy/Cairns with close connections to Lockhart River, Musgrave Station and Quandamooka Country, the invitation offers an opportunity to share not only her designs but also the culture and stories that underpin her sustainable textile practice with an international audience.

Mrs Enoch-Chatfield’s selection follows Goompi's Girl's growing national profile. In 2025, she presented her Kanyarra collection at Indigenous Fashion Projects’ Country to Couture in Darwin, exploring identity, strength, cultural memory, and connection to Country through upcycled garments and textile art.

Her longstanding connection with CIAF Fashion has also provided an important platform for the evolution of her practice, from participating in CIAF’s virtual fashion performance in 2020 through to subsequent live fashion programs and this year’s Reclamation & Regeneration Fashion Performance at The Mill.

“I am just so honoured to be considered for such an incredible opportunity and one I could never have imagined. I am going to embrace it with open arms and gratitude to CIAF for providing such a supportive and powerful platform,” said Mrs Enoch-Chatfield.

CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn congratulated the designer and said Nicole’s selection demonstrated the potential for relationships forged through CIAF to gather career momentum well beyond Cairns.

“Having Korina and Liana (Relative Arts) participate in CIAF’s Fashion Performance this year demonstrates the value of bringing Indigenous creatives together and creating genuine connections,” Mr Ropeyarn said.

INYFW brings together Indigenous designers, models, artists, performers and cultural innovators, with its 2026 program taking place in New York’s Garment District during New York Fashion Week.

The opportunity, however, comes with the considerable cost of travelling from Far North Queensland to New York and presenting a collection internationally.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help the designer meet the costs of travel and participation, with the Far North Queensland community invited to get behind one of its own as she prepares to take her work to the world stage.

“This is not simply a trip to New York but an opportunity to show what Indigenous fashion from Far North Queensland can contribute internationally,” said Mrs Enoch-Chatfield.

To support Nicole Enoch-Chatfield, visit the GoFundMe page here: Support Nicole's Culture & Country to New York fundraiser

Indigenous New York Fashion Week takes place in New York City from 10-15 September 2026.