Pilbara creatives Bobbi Lockyer, Sky Lockyer and Nat Dann showcase designs at New York Fashion Week

The talent of Pilbara creatives was on display at one of the most prestigious fashion events with Gantharri founder and designer Bobbi Lockyer displaying her works in the backdrop of the New York skyline.

The Kariyarra, Ngarluma, Nyul Nyul and Yawuru designer, had her designs grace New York Fashion Week on September 10 as part of the Flying Solo Ones to Watch runway.

Alongside her sister, First Nations creative Skye Lockyer, Bobbi closed her fashion show by flying the Aboriginal flag, showcasing their Indigenous culture with a performance by Nyul Nyul sand artist Lowell Hunter.

Each of the creatives wore ochre and were barefooted to share their connection to country on Indigenous land in New York.

Bobbi’s collection Saltwater was created in collaboration with Hunter, a Nyul Nyul man from the Kimberley, who creates sand artwork using just his feet.

Meanwhile, Skye, collaborated with the Gantharri runway showcase at NYFW by creating a handpainted jewellery designs collection to complement the clothing label.

The Saltwater collection features sand art drone imagery by Hunter which was then handpainted on by Bobbi Lockyer and printed on to fabric.

Bobbi took to Facebook to thank all her friends, family and community for supporting her.

“What an incredible feeling it was to do my mob proud and stand up there on the NYFW runway repping my culture and our peoples stories and art,” she said.

“I am so proud of this collection.

“New York has been an experience I’ll never forget and I am so grateful for the love and support we received.”

For Bobbi it caps off a stellar 12 months during which she was announced the 2021 NAIDOC Artist of the Year and had her fashion designs at the 2022 Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in Sydney in May.

The NYFW event also saw Hedland designer Nat Dann showcase her label Ihraa Swim, named after her daughter Aarhi.

Speaking to the North West Telegraph in June, Dann said her first collection was launched this year but fashion was something she had been interested in her whole life.

“So to be coming off the back of Australian Fashion Week, which I’m still processing that and then coming into New York Fashion Week now is a lot to process . . . it’s amazing,” she said.