PILBARA MODEL JOINS GOLD COAST FASHION PROJECT

In May this year, Ngarluma model, Treinaya Phillips was invited to take part in the Gold Coast Fashion Project by her friend Angelina Hickey/Chanel from the Dunghutti nation.

David Fox Photography

Chanel and Phillips worked together during Melbourne Fashion Week in 2016.

“It was an amazing experience, '' says Treinaya Phillips. There were a lot of choices to wear different garments. So this time I actually got to look around at what the designers had and what clothing and I could pick. All I had to do was go up to them and see if they had anything in my size.”

“I modeled a few bikinis. It was my first time doing swimwear and I was mostly in the indigenous lines that they had at the Fashion Show and then I had one African design. So that was a good experience for me to see what I look like.”

David Fox Photography

Rather than focusing on walking down a catwalk, Angelina Chanel found a new catwalk to strut her newfound passion. Model turned businesswoman and creative director of The Gold Coast Fashion Project has allowed Angelina to bring her vision to fruition, showcasing fashion designs that she supports.

“We have designers from all over the world, we have indigenous designers Maori designers, African designs.  We're trying to find more designers, but for the future, we want to have a First Nation Australian show as I did at Sydney fashion week. So it's just all indigenous people.” - Angelina said.

Passionate about bringing Aboriginal design to mainstream fashion, Angelina also scouts for indigenous models to wear her selected garments and she was keen to have Treinaya onboard.

“I knew Treinaya from Melbourne, I wanted her to come over because she was supportive of me and she was exactly what I wanted to represent.”

Photographer: Marcela Mar Visual

Trinaya Phillips is expecting her first baby this year and is hoping to recruit men and women for next years Gold Coast Fashion Project that will be funded.