Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has formed an exciting partnership with Far North Queensland’s stylish newcomer, luxury hotel, Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort to deliver its most culturally-inspired and creative fashion performance to date.
Since its inaugural performance in 2013, CIAF’s fashion offering has evolved into one of the program’s most highly anticipated and well attended events which, in 2018, culminated in three sell-out shows at Tanks Arts Centre.
CIAF artistic director Janina Harding said this year’s fashion iteration will be no exception as the event prepares to commemorate its 10-year milestone which takes its cue from the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages and in 2019, in particular, observing the ceremonial tradition of body adornment.
“Buwal-barra... messenger. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. is the title of this year’s performance curated a talented collective comprising Bernard Singleton, Simone Arnol and Hans Ahwang.
“From the outset, the spotlight has been focused on CIAF’s fashion showcase that is completely exceptional in the way it incorporates the rich cultural threads of music and storytelling that run deep and bind Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
“It is these powerful performative elements of two distinct cultures that provide an atmospheric framework to present designer collections created and curated into one dynamic show,” Ms Harding said.
CIAF’s general manager Vanessa Gillen said this year’s fashion partnership with Crystalbrook Collection will assist in positioning and profiling the event to a new audience.
“We are thrilled to welcome Riley, a Crystalbrook Collection Resort on board as our fashion and accommodation partner providing the wings, we need to fly in this our anniversary year and we look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship in the future,” Ms Gillen said.
"Supporting local endeavours is a large focus for Crystalbrook Collection and with CIAF's longstanding history in Cairns, and Australia wide, it is a perfect fit" said Joel Gordon, Area General Manager Crystalbrook Collection.
CIAF's focus on helping to grow the future of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fashion designers and shine a spotlight on emerging models is to be applauded and we are thrilled to be able to play our part in this celebratory year."
Buwal-barra...messenger. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. will be presented on Thursday 11 July and Friday 12 July at Tanks Arts Centre with a sneak peek set to be held at Riley's Lagoon Pool.
Buwal-barra...messenger. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow. is co-sponsored by North Queensland’s regional airline, Skytrans. Tickets on sale on Friday 3 May via Ticketlink.