First Nations fashion designer Melissa Greenwood, who initially began selling paintings created with her mother, Lauren Jarrett, has expanded Miimi & Jiinda into a high-fashion brand, achieving remarkable success. Miimi & Jiinda’s Melissa Greenwood Shines at Australian Fashion Week
Greenwood, a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, returned to the Australian Fashion Week runway in 2024 as part of the Indigenous Fashion Projects Pathways (IFP) Program. She was featured in the David Jones Indigenous Fashion Projects runway alongside other talented First Nations designers.
“It has been an amazing opportunity working with the team and the other designers. I feel so grateful for all the opportunities the program has brought Miimi & Jiinda,” Greenwood shared.
The Yarilla Collection
At AFW, Greenwood launched Miimi & Jiinda’s new collection, Yarilla, which means “to rise up and illuminate” in Gumbaynggirr. The collection celebrates the Gumbaynggirr culture with bright, bold colors reflecting their coastal saltwater heritage.
“We have been getting ready for AFW to launch our new collection called Yarilla. Get excited to see bright bold illuminating colors paying homage to our beautiful Gumbaynggirr culture on the mid north coast,” Greenwood said.
Mentoring the Next Generation
The Yarilla collection also includes a mentoring program to support young Indigenous creatives. Greenwood explained, “A big component of Yarilla is a mentor program we have started, where we will be supporting young Indigenous mob who aspire to be in this creative space. We have just finalized applications and chosen the mentees.”
New Collaborations and Motherhood
Greenwood also announced a collaboration with Unreal Fur, launching a range of outerwear jackets showcased at AFW. Despite a busy schedule, she is also embracing her new role as a mother.
“The last few months I have been on maternity leave, so late stages of pregnancy and now my baby girl is here with us, and we are over the moon,” she said.
Greenwood hinted at more exciting projects for 2024 but kept details under wraps. “We have been working away at a few surprise projects we can’t mention yet, but they will launch this month,” she teased.
Miimi & Jiinda continues to thrive under Greenwood’s leadership, blending cultural heritage with contemporary fashion and fostering the next generation of Indigenous talent.
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