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Ufla Yumpla

Where fashion meets art

George Dann
Eyeline 82
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‘It’s all about heart and fashion, and fashion and heart’1

The Ufla Yumpla (You Fella You People) fashion performance was one of the highlights of the 2014 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Following the success of the 2013 textile forum and parade, the evening event combined the talents of Indigenous textile artists, fashion designers and models based in far north Queensland. Grace Lillian Lee, a Torres Strait fashion designer based in Cairns, curated the event. 

The fashion performance involved seven Indigenous designers and fifteen Indigenous models. A flash of lights announced each designer, as silhouetted models entered the runway. At the end of each collection spotlights linked the contributing textile artist and designer in the crowd. This highlighted the important cultural ties behind the designs. 

The parade commenced with two Torres Strait designers, Tommy Pau followed by CDA Balas. Both incorporated the motif of the iconic Torres Strait Dhari (headdress) in their designs. Next was Cynthia Voglar and her screen and batik printed A-line skirts. Then followed Lynelle Flinders’s label, Sown in Time, which was a collection of subtle hand printed designs. Sown in Time was styled with Savage Tribal accessories and intricately carved pearl shell jewellery by Samuel Savage. 

The overarching concept for the event was, ‘where art meets fashion’. As the night progressed it was increasingly evident that the most successful pieces were in fact achieved with the influence of both art and fashion. Most interesting were those from Torres Strait fashion designer Grace Lillian Lee with her use of traditional Torres Strait techniques to adorn her contemporary designs. Lee is a graduate of RMIT and has an established line called Jetty Love in Cairns. She

Ufla Yumpla: Where Fashion Meets Art, 2014. Indigenous fashion design. Parade, showing designs by Eva Wanganeen. Image courtesy Kerry Trapnell and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

Ufla Yumpla: Where Fashion Meets Art, 2014. Indigenous fashion design. Parade, showing designs by Eva Wanganeen. Image courtesy Kerry Trapnell and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. 

Ufla Yumpla: Where Fashion Meets Art, 2014. Indigenous fashion design. Parade, showing designs by Eva Wanganeen. Image courtesy Kerry Trapnell and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

Ufla Yumpla: Where Fashion Meets Art, 2014. Indigenous fashion design. Parade, showing designs by Eva Wanganeen. Image courtesy Kerry Trapnell and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.