ELVERINA JOHNSON X TAKING SHAPE COLLECTION LAUNCH.

It’s been over a year in the making but we’re thrilled to reveal our first ever First Nations designs by the highly regarded artist Elverina Johnson.

With a shared passion for empowering women, promoting confidence and creating strong supportive communities, Elverina connected with her local Taking Shape in Cairns, a relationship that grew and led to this beautiful, artistic collection.‌

Elverina believes “there are many roads to reconciliation” and the opportunity to collaborate with Taking Shape allows her to share her story on a national platform.

The limited edition collection celebrates all women and is vividly brought to life through exclusive Elverina prints on a selection of our best-selling styles.‌

Meet the Artist

Elverina is a highly respected Gurugulu and Indiji Gimuy woman from Yarrabah in Far North Queensland, she is one of the Nation's most recognisable and accomplished artists. Her talents span the spectrum of visual and performing arts. Her belief is that arts can empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and restore a genuine sense of price in their culture and communities.

"The traditional and very unique Australian country was my inspiration for thee designs. In Yarrabah (FNQ) we are so lucky to have land and sea around us. My designs reflect the blue waters and the mussels of the ocean and the intricate designs of weaving, deep from within the rainforest. There is inspiration all around us, we just have to look."

Original Prints. Traditional Storytelling.

Enriching the fabrications with Elverina's bold prints and traditional storytelling, invites the wearer to engage with culture and country.

The two original designs were hand painted by Elverina, both exclusive to us. Her vision was then interpreted by our designers and brought to life in this stunning collection.

Limited Edition Collection.

Stunning prints on your favourite Taking Shape styles.

The Duster

The Top and Leggings

The Natural Shirt Dress

The Linen Suit

Wearable Art.

Elverina is passionate about sharing her culture with a wider audience, educating and preserving the indigenous spirit through a fusion of art and fashion. Taking Shapes designs provide the perfect canvas for all women to connect with culture and enjoy the experience of wearable art.

From sleek cuts to soft tiers and stretch comfort, the collection consists of six versatile pieces including a standout linen suit, natural shirt dress, duster, bamboo leggings and top. Each piece is designed to be worn back with everyday wear or styled up in matching sets to make a statement. The limited release also includes accessories and giftware.

Bunya Yaji-l Bamboo Top

Bunya Yaji-l Bamboo Legging

Buyal Bunya Knit Duster

Dirringhi Linen Suit Pant

Dirringhi Natural Shirt Dress

Dirringhi Linen Suit Jacket

Ways to Wear.

The collection can easily be incorporated into your daily wardrobe. The prints work with denim, white and black or block colour tees, pants and jackets. Designed to be worn all year around, simply add some layer pieces. Try different combos and mix and match with your existing wardrobe to make the most of these investment pieces.‌

Accessories and Giftware

Buyal Yaji-L Tea Towel

Dirringhi Tea Towel

Bunya Yaji-L Reuseable Cup

Buyal Bunya Umbrella

The collection will also feature in Afterpay Australian Fashion Week, held in Sydney in May as part of the FNFD (First Nations Fashion Design) show and we’re privileged to share the runway with esteemed First Nations fashion designers and artists.‌

As seen in Vogue

We are ecstatic to see the Elverina Johnson x Taking Shape collaboration featured in the May edition of VOGUE Australia. What an honour it is to have Elaine George, the first Indigenous woman to appear on the cover of Vogue Australia in1993, proudly wearing one of our stunning designs from the collection.
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Credits: @firstnationsfashiondesign @vogueaustralia

Taking Shape acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation who are the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and gather at our head office. We acknowledge Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.‌

ELVERINA JOHNSON X TAKING SHAPE COLLECTION LAUNCH.

Meet the Artist

Original Prints. Traditional Storytelling.

Limited Edition Collection.