perth at sunrise
Nathan McGuire It is one of the best known models of Australia , protagonist of some of the most important campaigns in the country. village member Whadjuk Noongar and ambassador of the First Nations Fashion and Design , McGuire has just been described as a "Change Driver" at Australian Fashion Week. Not surprisingly, he has always spoken out about indigenous representation and he is shaping a fresh, new, inclusive and diverse creative environment.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local" , a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions, which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to discover why their own territory should be your next destination.
Tell us about the fashion industry in Australia
We are living in a very interesting moment because we are all reflecting on what Australian fashion should be like. We are still very influenced by what happens abroad, but we are beginning to focus on what is happening in our country, looking at our landscapes and the cultures that exist. We're seeing lots of variety and is more experimental.
How has the indigenous fashion sector evolved?
We have seen it grow exponentially in the last five years. In the First Nations community we believe that indigenous fashion is over 60,000 years old, which is something that has been done since the beginning of our cultures. His current image, obviously, is very different from that of his beginnings. When it began to be commercialized, access to indigenous fashion was facilitated. Now, we see many more designers and brands And because there are so many communities in First Nations, everyone has a different story and point of view.
Show us your leading Australian brands
I'm lovin 'it MAARA Collective by Julie Shaw, a bathroom brand that won the National Indigenous Fashion Award in 2020. It has a very nice aesthetic, which is important culturally speaking and, in addition, it is taking it a step further. the same thing happens to me with Denni Francisco de Ngali and, in addition, the designs of it show the art of the aborigines and the inhabitants of the Torres Strait.
What is your favorite place in Australia?
I always come back to Perth to get away from it all. It is my home, where my family is, my village (Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar) and where I feel connected and spiritually fulfilled.
And in Perth, what are your essential places?
I love going to the beach. Perth has the best beaches in Australia. The whole West Coast is awesome, but I especially like Scarborough and Trigg Beach. Both are quite urban, so you can have a coffee and eat something before going to the beach. A place that I like to take it is Someday, It has a great menu and very good coffees.
In the center of the city, it is Yagan Square, a cultural zone where there are always outdoor sculptures, markets, festivals and a giant digital tower showing the work of local artists. From there it is easy to get to the Art Gallery of Western Australia and even the newly opened WA Museum Boola Bardip.
The Nathan McGuire Model