Ngali founder Denni Francisco on respectful First Nations fashion collaborations

Denni Francisco, founder of Ngali, discusses the label's approach to centering business around respectful relationships with First Nations artists. Ngali began as a small idea and grew into a contemporary First Nations fashion label that translates artworks into wearable pieces. The brand emphasizes collaboration over extraction, with artists remaining central throughout the process from permissions to final outcomes. Over eight years, relationships have deepened through navigating challenges like COVID and market shifts. Francisco hopes for greater economic opportunities for First Nations artists and critiques the broader Australian fashion industry for treating collaboration as a trend rather than a long-term commitment.