The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) invites models to apply to be a part of this year’s CIAF Fashion Performance: 'Look & Listen' on Thursday 10 & Friday 11 July 2025.
The annual Fashion Performance is leading platform celebrating and promoting First Nations fashion, haute couture, and wearable art.
The CIAF Fashion Performance: Look & Listen, derived from CIAF's 2025 program theme, Pay Attention!, is a celebration of First Nations culture, showcasing breathtaking and visually arresting wearable art that culminates in a seamless fusion of groundbreaking fashion, modelling, design, and performance.
This year, the Fashion Performance will be presented differently. In the past, all participating designers were presented in a single show. However, in 2025, the designers will be separated into two separate show themes.
The first performance will explore the concept of 'Look', inviting audiences to gaze upon the bold artistry of six highly anticipated designers and their distinctive visions - Irene Robinson/Darlene Fell, Badu Art Centre/Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Robert Tommy Pau, Kuku Bulkaway and Yuku Baja Muliku Artists, Sandra and Shara Delaney and Felicity Chapman.
The second performance explores the concept of 'Listen,' inviting audiences to connect with the stories and inspirations woven into each garment. The narrative threads will bind together the collections of six additional designers – Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, NPA Art Centre, Wudan (Amy) Neal, Skye Lockyer/Katelyn Hamilton, and Lisa Lui.
Models are encouraged to apply to participate in showcasing and/or performing in the designs on Thursday 10 & Friday 11 July 2025, as well as a professional photoshoot and a pre-show, mentoring experience, all while closely with CIAF Fashion Curator, Lynelle Flinders. CIAF encourages emerging models of all ages to apply.
Applications are open for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander models and emerging models living in or strongly connected to Queensland. EOIs close COB Friday 2 May 2025.
Image: Sarah Eggmolesse, Amariah Thomas Savage, Milisont Sailor, Gillyba Ambrum, Ann Maree Titasey, and Loretta Messa wear Rosie Ware's Strait on Cloth – Wug collection, first shown CIAF Fashion Performance — Masters of Country (2022). Photograph by The Photo Corner, 2022.
