A Front Row Seat With Magpie Goose at DAAF’s Country to Couture Showcase

With the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair just around the corner (held 6 to 11 August 2024 on Larrakia Country at the Darwin Convention Centre), we were excited to take a sneak peek at the fashion action in the lead-up to the much-anticipated Country to Couture runway shows – DAAF’s annual showcase of First Nations textiles and fashion design – which takes place on 6 August to kick off a jam-packed week of art, workshops, performances and panel discussions.

Comprising over 20 collections packed into two incredible shows that bring together emerging designers and established labels, we had a chat with Brisbane-based Amanda Hayman from Magpie Goose  – a longtime favourite of Peppermint–  about their collaboration with Ewyenper Atwatye (Hidden Valley) artists. Expect gorgeous dusk colours inspired by equally stunning landscapes, and fun, versatile pieces that tell stories of culture and Country.

photos COURTESY OF MAGPIE GOOSE

Tell us about yourself…

My name Amanda Hayman and I’m a proud Aboriginal woman with cultural connections to Kalkadoon and Wakka Wakka Country. I live in Magandjin/Meanijin (Brisbane), which is also where my portfolio of businesses are based – Blaklash, Open House, Aboriginal Art Co and Magpie Goose. I’m the Director of Magpie Goose and manage everything from production to marketing alongside a talented team of artists and creatives to make clothing that tells stories of culture and Country.

You’re heading to DAAF! Very exciting. Can you tell us a bit about the collection you’ll be showing at Country to Couture? 

We’re showing our Ewyenper Atwatye collection, which is a collaboration between Ewyenper Atwatye (Hidden Valley) artists and Magpie Goose. Ewyenper Atwatye is part of Town Camp Designs, which is administered by Tangentyere Artists based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Working with this collective of artists, 13 original fabric designs were created and translated into clothes, which feature local flora and fauna, landscapes, cultural practices and social history.

What is your favourite piece in the collection? 

I’m most excited about our newest style, the Bush Skirt in the Antherrtye (Ranges) print. Like all our pieces, it’s comfortable and practical, but it’s bold and fun too, perfect for events like festivals, barbecues and get-togethers in the park. Inspired by the dusk colours and surrounding ranges and trees in Mparntwe, the artist Marita McMillan also teaches kids about the cultural significance of the ranges. I also can’t go past the Everyday Top in any print, which looks cute with jeans a mini or a full-length skirt, and a skivvy underneath for work during winter!

READ MORE: Homegrown Labels We Can’t Wait to See on the Country to Couture Runway

How did the collaboration with Ewyenper Atwatye come about? 

The collaboration came about through an existing relationship with the Tangentyere Art Centre. We first met with the artists in May 2022, launched the first print in October 2023, and now we’re halfway through releasing the collection. The relationship is grounded in mutual respect and upholds Indigenous voices, perspectives, and contributions. From the very beginning, we are transparent about artwork licensing fees, artist engagement and the outcomes we want to achieve. We provide lots of examples and visuals, so we clearly articulate the processes. The artists were keen from the get-go!

What do you look for when you select art centres to work with? How do the partnerships work? 

Art Centres are regional hubs for strengthening cultural practices that provide economic opportunities and community support. In our partnership, fair compensation is paramount. We pay an upfront licensing fee per meter of printed fabric, ensuring the artists’ creative contributions are valued and honoured.

Throughout design workshops, the artists maintain complete creative control, using their own techniques and infusing their cultural knowledge, stories, and expression into each creation, resulting in authentic representations of their heritage. Magpie Goose oversees the development of the artwork into fabric designs, seeking final approval of strike-offs from the artists. Artists’ narratives are shared through text and video on our channels, and we release one print at a time to give each artist exclusive time in the marketplace.

On our next visit to Mpartwe (Alice Springs), a local photographer will conduct a photoshoot, directed by the artists and modelled by their families. This allows the artists to showcase their connection to Country and community on their own terms.

Can you tell us about some of the ways Magpie Goose cares for Country?

As well as telling stories about Country, our clothing is designed to care for Country through sustainable manufacturing approaches. All designs are hand screen-printed onto biodegradable natural fibre fabrics with water-based inks, which are made into quality garments by local manufacturers in Australia. The clothing is designed for longevity and our packaging is plastic-free. All offcuts from the production process are turned into accessories by Second Stitch, a social enterprise based in Melbourne powered by women who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Will you get some time to look around at DAAF? What are you most looking forward to seeing?

Absolutely – Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is a super important time in the cultural calendar where artists and creatives from all over the country showcase their work. Even though we’ll be super busy – as well as being part of the Country to Couture runway event, we have a Magpie Goose Pop-Up every day of the Fair! – we always make time to see the work, connect with friends and meet new people. This year I’m excited to check out the latest soft sculptures from Yarrenyty Arltere, an art centre also associated with Tangentyere Artists. They make incredible clothing pieces and will be in the same Country to Couture runway show with Magpie Goose. Our annual trip to Darwin is always such a lovely time!

above EWYENPER ATWARYE x MAGPIE GOOSE BY RHETT HAMMERTON

COUNTRY TO COUTURE WILL BE HELD ON 6 AUGUST 2024 AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE ON LARRAKIA COUNTRY; TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE. THE EVENT IS PART OF DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR, WHICH RUNS FROM 6 TO 11 AUGUST 2024. FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO DAAF.COM.AU.