In 2023, leading South Australian fashion label Significant Other marked International Women’s Day by partnering with Aboriginal artist Jade Akamarre on a powerful cultural and creative collaboration. Inspired by the brand’s new collection, Jade created a bespoke artwork that echoed the vibrant colours, feminine energy, and contemporary confidence woven throughout the clothing line. The partnership was more than a visual pairing — it was a meeting of two forms of creative expression, each deeply rooted in storytelling.
For Jade, the collaboration was an opportunity to showcase how Aboriginal art can transcend the walls of galleries and live within fashion, a space that speaks to empowerment, individuality, and self-expression. The piece she created drew from her Dreaming and connection to Atnwengerrp in the Utopia region, blending rich palettes and fluid linear patterns to mirror both Country and couture. Just as the Significant Other collection embraced bold silhouettes and radiant tones, Jade’s work carried the essence of women’s strength and beauty, told through the language of culture and paint.
Significant Other asked: This IWD theme is Embracing Equity? What does that mean to you?
Jade replied: "We need to embrace fairness, kindness and understand the importance of providing the same to all. I think it is incredibly important for us to understand equity before we understand equality. Every female should be able to access the same support and resources as each other. We have to be fair with one another to achieve this and with that, we can then embrace equality in every aspect of our lives." - Jade Akamarre
The collaboration also carried a deeper message in celebrating Aboriginal women in art and design. By inviting Jade Akamarre to reinterpret their collection through her practice, Significant Other highlighted the importance of giving First Nations women a platform within contemporary luxury markets. This partnership became a living dialogue between past and present, honouring the ancestral strength of women who came before while celebrating the achievements of women shaping the future.
On International Women’s Day, the collaboration resonated as a tribute to women everywhere — to their resilience, creativity, and ability to transform industries. For Jade, it was also a personal milestone: bringing her culture and artistic heritage into the world of fashion, affirming that Aboriginal voices and visions belong at the forefront of design. This project demonstrated how fashion and art can work hand in hand to create meaningful cultural exchange, sparking conversations about representation, respect, and the beauty of storytelling in every form.
