Rural fashionistas will be excited to learn that Outback Fashion Month will be held across Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett from March 20 to April 15.  

The stylish event is a four week period of free and accessible fashion design activities and workshops where women are invited to attend and produce.  

The theme for 2023 is Water, Feather and Scales and event organisers are keen to see what local creatives can produce with this theme in mind.   

With the combined efforts of Signal Creative and Outback Arts, the two are calling for makers in the region (EOI) with a focus on jewellery and accessories.  

Local regional female designers and makers are invited to get involved in Fashion Month through an expression of interest process.

Signal Creative plan to run a suitable sixty-minute workshop and hope to reach out to the seven Shires of the Outback Arts region .(Walgett, Coonamble, Warren, Bogan, Cobar, Bourke & Brewarrina) as far as they can with invitations and program information.  

ABOVE: Signal Creatives Emma Hoy assisting in creations with local participants 

A Fashion Parade on Saturday 15 April at the Baiame’s Ngunnhu 2023 Festival in Brewarrina will feature original work produced through the activities and workshops held during Outback Fashion Month. 

While details of the workshop calendar are still to be finalised expressions of interest close on 17 February for those wishing to participate. 

Signal Creative, founded in 2017 by Emma Hoy and Caroline Wallace, was established to create safe female spaces where participants could begin, nurture and refine their creative passions in a supportive environment, particularly female artists living in regional and remote Australia, focusing on those who face the greatest barriers to creative opportunities.  

By collaborating with organisations such as Outback Arts, the team help to sustain and create vibrant, relevant and accessible innovative and creative programs which build safety, respect and inclusion for women in public spaces. 

"We are so excited to be expanding Walgett Fashion Week into Outback Fashion month this year and the response has already been incredible," says Emma Hoy from Signal Creative. 

ABOVE: Preparing for the Photo shoot and fashion parade 

"Alongside workshops presented by Signal Creative and Outback Arts staff, there will be heaps of workshops presented by makers living in Outback NSW (and it's all free to attend). Keep an eye out for out for our program and get involved with what is going to be a very exciting showcase of work from the region," said Ms. Hoy. 

A Fashion Parade and Photo Shoot featuring local creations all presented and modelled by local Women will be at the Family and Culture Day Saturday the 15th of April during Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival 2023.  

Outback Fashion month is made possible with funding support from the Australian Government through the R.I.S.E Creative Economy Support Package. 

Expressions of interest can be made with Caroline Wallace by calling 0409 983 570 or email [email protected]