Introducing Mob in Fashion, the program that’s elevating First Nations Australians behind the scenes of the fashion industry
Image via Mob in Fashion
Words by Gabrielle O’Hagan
A pioneering initiative to change the fashion landscape.
Diversity in the fashion industry is lacking. Sure, we’ve made some progress in recent years, but it often feels like we’re taking baby steps rather than strides. And sometimes our so-called ‘progress’ is just downright tokenistic. When it comes to creating a more inclusive and diverse fashion industry in Australia, there’s still a long way to go.
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Enter Nathan McGuire, an experienced model and First Nations Culture and Safety Consultant, who is working with PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PayPal MFF) to launch its new, inaugural program Mob in Fashion. In a rolling initiative, Mob in Fashion will increase the representation of First Nations creatives within the industry, by enabling them to work behind the scenes during PayPal MFF.
What is Mob In Fashion?
“Mob in Fashion is an avenue for First Nation creatives to get meaningful work experience at the Melbourne Fashion Festival,” says Nathan, who is spearheading the program. “Just to get their foot in the door so they can experience what an industry-level event is like, see who’s around, and get in amongst it. It’s a culturally safe passage into the industry.”
Whether they’re interested in hair and makeup, design, choreography, photography, or any other ‘behind the scenes’ element of fashion, successful applicants will receive valuable employment experience to help kickstart their careers. They will have opportunities to learn about industry events, network with other creatives, and get some exposure for their own work.
The program won’t be exclusive to emerging talent, either. “It’s a well-rounded introduction for people who are new to the industry, but also experienced people who have never been part of the festival and have always wanted to,” Nathan explains.
How it started
As someone who’s been working in the industry as a model, designer and consultant for the last eight years, Nathan has wanted to help create a space for other First Nations people within fashion for a long time. “It’s something that I’ve been thinking about for many years – how do I contribute to this space more, and get more First Nations people into the industry?” he says.
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So when he was approached by PayPal MFF with an opportunity to work as a First Nations Culture and Safety Consultant, he seized the opportunity. “It was an opportunity for me to say ‘Hey, I’ve got this idea’, and basically we had the space and the resources to actually build the program.”
Why it’s important
It’s no secret that First Nations people are grossly underrepresented in the fashion industry, most noticeably in modelling. For a long time, there has been little to no representation on the covers of magazines or at runway shows, and it’s not for lack of talent.
Some organisations have tried to address this problem already by designing programs that mentor emerging models and designers within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. But inclusivity issues are prolific, and they extend to other areas of the fashion industry, too.
“Historically, the behind the scenes area of fashion weeks, photoshoots and the industry in general is lacking in First Nations’ talent, when we know the talent is out there,” Nathan tells me. “You couldn’t list five photographers who are First Nations that are shooting all major campaigns. You probably couldn’t even name three.”
The long-term impact
The Mob in Fashion program will be the first of its kind, directly addressing the problem of underrepresentation in parts of the industry that are frequently overlooked. “Having a program that’s built into the festival behind the scenes from someone who’s Aboriginal and in the fashion industry, there’s nothing else like it out there that I know of.”
It will also do more than provide a one-off employment opportunity for its participants. Nathan envisions that the program will empower First Nations creatives by helping them cultivate new skills and launch sustainable careers. “It’s about having careers, not just entry-level programs that people should apply for,” he explains. “It’s about building these careers that will last in the industry and then inspire other creatives to get into fashion.”
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In order to have a lasting impact, however, there needs to be more consistency within the industry as a whole, and a widespread effort to find and cultivate the talent of First Nations people. “The industry is only just now taking the steps to be inclusive of First Nations culture,” he says. “It’s not because the First Nations talent hasn’t been there, it’s because they haven’t been engaged, and their culture hasn’t been engaged.
“First Nations creatives just want the opportunity to have work and be seen, and valued in their creative ability – not because they’re First Nations talent, but because they’re good at it, and they can contribute to the industry the way a lot of other creatives have had the opportunity to contribute.”
Looking to the future
Although there’s a lot of work still to be done, the Mob in Fashion program is a monumental first step, and has already seen success. “It’s come together really quickly and really organically… everyone’s been really open to it, everyone wants this to be a staple in the industry,” Nathan explains.
“I’ve had that feedback from many of the applicants and people I know who are First Nations creatives, who are like ‘I wish I had this when I started, because it would’ve just given me a foot in the door’.” Ultimately, Mob in Fashion will provide clear pathways within an industry from which First Nations people have, historically, been excluded. Here’s hoping we see more of these kinds of initiatives going forward.
If you would like to apply for the program, head here.
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