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‘SALTWATER TO FRESHWATER’ OUT NOW
We are proud to present our new collection ‘Saltwater to Freshwater’ from Babbarra Women’s Centre. This collection of designs depicts the deep ancestral knowledge passed from generation to generation, informing a rich understanding of the topography and inner worlds of the people who inhabit the land of the Maningrida region.
For the Babbarra artists the natural cycle of seasons are intertwined with storytelling and ceremony, such as the story of mermaid sisters Djómi & Bábbarra (one freshwater and one saltwater), and the Lorrkkon (Funeral Log) design that tells of the infinite cycle of life and death. The artists explain their world to us, illustrating how everything is interconnected – saltwater, freshwater and the stones in between.
The new range features lush, vibrant colours and graphically striking monochromatic prints. These flattering designs have a vintage twist and will suit a broad range of body types from sizes 6 – 16.
The Babbarra + Publisher clothing range uses natural fabrics and is 100% made in Australia.
Every garment has a story. Discover yours…
“Without a doubt this is the most sustainable fashion and fabric creation you could ever imagine”
Edwina McCann
(Australian Fashion Council/ Editor-in-Chief of VOGUE Australia) QUOTED at Babbarra’s ‘Jarracharra – dry season wind’ EXHIBITION at the Australian Embassy in Paris 2019
AUDREY TOP
Timeless and stylish, just like its namesake Audrey Hepburn. This simple box-cut top features short sleeves, a flattering rounded neck, and a long waistline. This versatile top transitions from the office into the evening, and is perfect paired with a fitted pencil skirt or classic black trousers.
Design: Man-Djarduk (Bush Apples) by Deborah Wurrkidj
In this design she has depicted man-djarduk, red bush apples, a sweet, crisp bush food that is a favourite to collect.
AUDREY II TOP
Design: Kunkurra (Spiral Wind) by Janet Marawarr
Audrey II is the short-sleeved sister of Audrey, and she’ll also take you from the office to evening with ease.
This design can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. Kunkurra also relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod, on the artist’s clan estate.
VANESSA DRESS
This versatile dress features a drawstring waist and a relaxed, comfortable fit. Perfect for throwing on and matching with a pair of sandals in summer or layering up with tights and jackets in winter.
Design: Lorrkkon (Hollow Funeral Log) By Susan Marawarr
The Lorrkkon or hollow-log coffin ceremony is the final ceremony in a sequence of mortuary rituals celebrated by the people of Arnhem Land. Many artists depict this ceremony their designs as it has deep spiritual significance in the community as a last step in celebrating, remembering, dreaming – conveying understanding of life cycles and spiritual passage.
“When I was painting this Manwak story, I was painting in Maningrida. In my head I was dreaming of being on my homeland, eating ripe Manwak berries”
– Deborah Wurrkidj
Design: Manwak (Mumeka Blooms) by Deborah Wurrkidj
This beautiful large flower blooms during the mandjelk (wet season). It has deep green petals with a central red kernel which swells to the size of a berry. It is known for its long, sweeping petals which seem to dance in the winds.
DORIS DAY DRESS
Our everyday dress has a new name. This 60s-inspired shift dress is an easy-to-wear, comfortable everyday dress. This flattering A-line shape finishes just above the knee and features mid-length sleeves and two scoop side pockets.
Works in Summer with a pair of sneakers and in Winter with a pair of boots. Perfect for everyday all year round.
Design: Kunwadde dja Manyawok (Rocks and Cheeky Yam) by Susan Marawarr
This design depicts the cheeky yam and rocks amongst which it can be found. Manyawok is found on the artist’s country, near the outstation of Mumeka in central Arnhem Land. Yams are an important bush food that are collected during the wet season.
Design: Manwak (Mumeka Blooms) by Deborah Wurrkidj
This beautiful large flower blooms during the mandjelk (wet season). It has deep green petals with a central red kernel which swells to the size of a berry. It is known for its long, sweeping petals which seem to dance in the winds.
BRIDGETTE SKIRT
Named for the 60s starlet Brigette Bardot, this flirty skirt features box pleats, elastic backing and two generous side pockets.
Design: Man-kurndalh (black plum) by Deborah Wurrkidj
Man-kurndalh (black plum) are a much loved manme (bush food). The edible black berries are good for harvest in the late dry to wet seasons.
“Every wet season time they make black plum. Our family we going out bush and we collecting that bush tucker. Sometimes we collecting and we take home and eat with family, our grand children and grand daughter, family sharing. We eat that fresh one.” –
Deborah Wurrkidj
DAHLIA TOP
This fitted and flattering top features a boat neck and sweet button-down back details. Perfect with a pencil skirt or fitted black jacket for an office look or pair with jeans for a more casual look.
Design: Manwak (Mumeka Blooms) by Deborah Wurrkidj
This beautiful large flower blooms during the mandjelk (wet season). It has deep green petals with a central red kernel which swells to the size of a berry. It is known for its long, sweeping petals which seem to dance in the winds.
Kunkurra (Spiral Wind) by Janet Marawarr
This design can be interpreted as a depiction of the kinds of mini-cyclones common during the wet season in Arnhem Land, where the artist lives. Kunkurra also relates specifically to a site called Bilwoyinj, near Mankorlod, on the artist’s clan estate.
MARSHA PANTS
Design: Kun-Ngol (Clouds) by By Elizabeth Kandabuma
This design depicts certain clouds that signal to people of central Arnhem Land that the end of the wet season is approaching. After months of daily monsoonal rain in Arnhem Land, these clouds are light and fluffy, not like the dark, heavy clouds of the monsoonal sky. At the time of the kun-ngol clouds, people know the country will soon dry up and the cold season (dry season) will arrive. When the kun-ngol clouds appear, all of the billabongs are already filled, the rivers are high and the country is brimming with life and fresh new growth after months of fresh water pouring from the sky.
“My designs, they are all alive living up in my head‘ –
Janet Marawarr, artist at Bábbarra
To say 2020 has been a “challenging” year would be an understatement. The Covid19 pandemic has caused much anxiety in our communities and we’ve all had to adapt to a new way of living. To ensure everyone stays safe and healthy many major events in the indigenous community have been cancelled or revised, as was the case with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards. Even with all the disruption, everyone’s resilient spirit shone through and the show went on. The response to Babbarra’s new range has been incredible.
We hope you love it too. Discover more here…
