Hot Knit Summer! Kaylene Whiskey and WAH-WAH team up for a must-have fit

Knitwear in summer? Hear us out. Australian label WAH-WAH is giving its woolly wardrobe a warm-weather shake-up, courtesy of celebrated Yankunytjatjara artist Kaylene Whiskey. And with her unmistakable mash-up of pop culture, rock ‘n’ roll and life on the APY Lands, there’s not a beige basic in sight.

The latest chapter in WAH-WAH’s ongoing collaboration with Kaylene sees her artwork make the leap onto a relaxed knitted T-shirt and matching longline unisex shorts. Both are made from 100% organic cotton, a breezier alternative to the label’s signature merino knitwear, with new motifs joining a few familiar faces from Kaylene’s colourful world.

It’s a creative partnership that began back in 2017, when WAH-WAH founder Kaylene Milner spotted the artist’s work at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. The paintings, which bring together strong women, superheroes, music legends and scenes from everyday life in Indulkana, struck a chord. And discovering they shared a first name? Meant to be, obviously. Since then, Kaylene Whiskey has won the prestigious Sir John Sulman Prize, been named an Archibald Prize finalist and had her work celebrated in the National Portrait Gallery’s 2025 exhibition Super Kaylene Whiskey.

The campaign stars professional basketballer Shaneice Swain, who currently plays for the Sydney Flames and was drafted to the WNBA. With her strength and energy, she’s a fitting face for a collection that celebrates powerful women. It’s an ally-friendly fit, too, as approved by Kaylene Whiskey. “My art is for everyone,” she says – “I want to share love, happiness, laughter and togetherness with everybody! Uwangkara tjungu, mulapa rikina! (Everyone together, looking so good!)”

Pre-orders for the WAH-WAH x Kaylene Whiskey knitted T-shirt ($230) and shorts ($220) are already sold out, so get ready to jump when it comes back in stock.