Add Category
Posted
The artwork of an Aboriginal artist will feature on the shoes of internationally recognised fashion icon Jimmy Choo, in a pairing of Indigenous culture and high-end couture footwear.
West Australian-based Noongar man Peter Farmer, who grew up in the regional town of Gnowangerup, said he had been approached by the fashion giant through mutual friend Catherine Birch, and was given an opportunity to display his artwork in person.
"We went and had breakfast and I'd taken some of my artwork," he said.
"The artwork that was chosen is the blue wren, which is my Aboriginal totem, [and] is something that I've painted for a long time, is significant to me and looks really nice on the shoe."
Mr Farmer said he had been impressed with Mr Choo's collection and believed the pairing was a world-first.
"I don't think anyone's done Indigenous shoes in couture," he said.
"But it was a big idea from Professor Choo to innovate and make it work."
The collaboration is a new avenue Mr Farmer is keen to continue exploring with the label, which is in demand worldwide.
"I finished my studies at Curtin University with an Associate Degree in Aboriginal Art and a Bachelor of Fine Art, and I majored in fibre and textiles," he said.
"I didn't really go into it after I finished studying, but after meeting Catherine the door opened and we made garments and took them to the Malaysian Fashion Week."
Not surprisingly, Mr Farmer's phone has been running hot with requests from friends and family for pieces from the Choo line.
"They're all asking when they can get some," he said.
"My wife has got a couple of garments made up and they look really nice.
"Hopefully we can work more with Professor Choo and manufacture all the designs that we've done so far."
Topics: fashion, arts-and-entertainment, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, indigenous-culture, gnowangerup-6335, wa