Seventeen-year-old Tassiana Riordan from Trinity Bay State High School created a wearable art piece dedicated to her eldest brother Samuel, a talented dancer, musician, and artist who died from a rare brain tumour late last year. Tassiana said, "I think he would be really happy that I was able to dedicate this art piece to him."

Her design will be featured in a performance at the 2026 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). About two dozen students spent months crafting original designs that textiles students transformed into garments for the CIAF runway.

CIAF fashion coordinator Lynelle Flinders emphasized that storytelling is central to Indigenous culture, and fashion provides a new avenue for young people to explore their origins. She noted that many young people lose the chance to learn family stories when elders pass away, leading to a loss of cultural identity that can make them "restless."

"Once you know who you are, you're going to love yourself," Ms. Flinders said.

Cairns designer Grace Lillian Lee, who has connected many young Indigenous creatives to fashion opportunities, expressed her desire for Indigenous artists to have chances she never had growing up in Far North Queensland.

Rosanne Maloney of ABC Far North reported that Natalie Masters directed the students to explore identity, with the students driving the creative process themselves.

This initiative highlights how fashion is being used as a tool for healing, cultural expression, and empowerment among Indigenous youth in Australia.

Sources