By Cesar Ocampo. Photo Ocampo Studio 

There’s something deeply moving about photographing a runway show that feels more like ceremony than spectacle—and that’s exactly what Miimi & Jiinda delivered at Australian Fashion Week 2025.

On Day 5 of the New Generation Runway, I had the privilege of capturing Bambuuda Garlaawirr—meaning “Morning Light” in Gumbaynggirr. The name alone set the tone for what unfolded: a stunning tribute to creation, culture, and Country.

 

From the very first look, I could feel the presence of something sacred. This wasn’t just fashion—it was storytelling, passed down through generations. The collection honoured the beginning of all things: the first sun, moon, waterways and mountains. Through soft, flowing fabrics and natural textures, Bambuuda Garlaawirr illuminated the power and beauty of ancestral wisdom. 

The styling was equally powerful—models adorned with handwoven Lomandra and Pandanus pieces, collected on Gumbaynggirr Country by Elder Lauren Jarrett. Traditional possum skin, with all its deep cultural resonance, added another layer of authenticity and meaning. Every garment, every accessory, was created with care—for Country, for culture, for community.

It was a moment that transcended fashion week expectations. You could feel the weight of history, but also the lightness of pride and connection. Photographing this collection felt less like documenting a runway, and more like witnessing a reclamation—an honouring of Indigenous identity in full creative expression.

As someone who’s spent years behind the lens capturing Australian fashion, this show reminded me why I do what I do. Miimi & Jiinda don’t just make clothing—they make space for culture to breathe, move, and shine.

To Lauren and Melissa: thank you for letting us witness this light.