Proud Martu woman and contemporary artist, Corina Jadai, from Bidyadanga in Western Australia debuted her label Jarli at the Indigenous Fashion Project’s 10th annual Country to Couture on Larrakia country (Darwin) August 2025.
Creating resort wear inspired by the Pilbara and Kimberley, Corina’s collection blends vast desert landscapes with hues of the ocean and turtle shells integrating her cultural heritage and life on country into the creations.
With the label, Jarli Creations, named in honour of Corina's great grandmother, the emerging designer says fashion and design are powerful ways to share culture and honour family.
“I have always loved art,” Corina says, coming from a long line of nationally regarded artists. “We love creating art and sharing your stories through art. Some different ways of storytelling are through fabric and fashion.”
Attending the Darwin Aboriginal Arts Fair (DAAF) to see her grandfather’s work exhibited, seeded the hope that Corina too would be part of the Darwin festival and have her collection on the runway at Country to Couture.
In 2024, Corina’s collection was accepted, before making the difficult decision to withdraw it just weeks out. “There were issues with the fabric and digital printing,” Corina says, noting the challenges of preparing high-end couture from remote Australia.
“I had to be realistic, and I didn’t want to have an unfinished piece on the runway,” she adds. “From the Kimberly to the Pilbara, relocating is difficult, and life happens. There are no fabric stores in the Western Desert.”
Working with Australian Business Volunteer Senior Program Manager, Brigitte White, Corina connected with experts in the industry. This included a meeting with Kirrikin fashion and business leader, Amanda Healey who introduced Corina to the acclaimed pattern designer, Alice Cliff.
“I was linked to Alice (Cliff) in Subiaco,” Corina says reflecting on the journey to bring her designs fully to life. “I created five versions of the garments, posted them to her, and she would send them back for review. We were always working.”
Along with Country to Couture, her luxury resort wear collection was further shown on runways at the Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art (KAFTA) in June.
While Corina says she’s relieved that the shows are now over, she is already planning her next collection with her eye on Australia Fashion Week, if not Milan and Paris.
In her corner since 2023, Corina continues to be supported by the Martu Business Development Program delivered by ABV in partnership with Greatland to build her business skills, networks, seed funding.
“It was amazing to be with Corina at KAFTA and Country to Couture this year and see the designs that she first showed me on paper come to life on models,” Senior Program Manager Brigitte says.
“Corina continues to grow in confidence as a designer in sharing the story behind her designs and the many of the decisions that are required to get these from paper to the catwalk.”
Brigitte has always been supportive and found ways to get things done, Corina says. “She helped soothe all my nerves, be there in person, and is always happy to have a chat.”
“We live in the Kimberley, and she also comes up here to meet in Broome or wherever we are,” Corina says. From 2024, Brigitte and the team at ABV have also facilitated opportunities for Corina to participate with Kirrikin at the Fortescue Festival, attend the Iris Van Herpern exhibition in Brisbane, and showcase her work at Telfer during NAIDOC week.
Corina is committed to growing as an artist and a professional art centre worker with leading arts organisations including AACHWA, ANKA, Martumilli Artists and Bidydanga Arts Centre.
She encourages others to keep moving forward despite challenges, embracing their passion and connection to Country. “I just encourage anyone with an idea to do it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
