by Julie Shaw
MAARA Collective is an Australian resort and ready-to-wear line embracing a collaborative approach to design.
We work closely with Indigenous artists and creatives, drawing inspiration from Country to present within the context of contemporary fashion.
The brand's name 'MAARA Collective' acknowledges and honours the ‘many hands’ involved in the creative and collaborative processes, where the word 'maara' refers to ‘hands’ in the Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay language groups.
Launched in 2019, Yuwaalaraay Designer and Creative Director Julie Shaw founded the brand to showcase and celebrate Indigenous art and fashion. Since launching, the brand has gone on to win both the ‘Fashion Design’ and ‘Community Collaboration’ awards at the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
Julie was awarded the Australian Fashion Laureate for Indigenous Designer of the Year in 2021, named ‘Designer of the Year’ at Marie Claire's 2022 Women of
the Year Awards and has now won the IDA 2023 International Design Award for the overall Fashion Design category.
Shaw has also featured in Ragtrader Magazine’s Power 30 List, ranked as one of the most influential people in Australian fashion.
With every product purchased online, we give proceeds of USD$1 to support digital training and education programs in remote Aboriginal communities, through our ongoing relationship with the Buy1 Give1 program.
We invite you to discover the MAARA Collective world, where with each collection we share new and untold stories.
Purchase with Purpose
As partners in the global Buy1Give1 initiative we give back in meaningful and impactful ways. USD$1 from your purchase of MAARA Collective product from our online store goes toward providing digital skills training and education programs in remote Aboriginal communities.
280,576,832 giving impacts created worldwide.
MAARA Collective is proud to present Resort 2023 featuring 'Likara', an original Indigenous Australian artwork from Pitjantjatjara artist Alison Lionel of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in remote Australia.
MAARA Collective is proud to present the Resort 22 Collection featuring an original print by Pitjantjatjara artist Lexie Michael of Ernabella Arts Inc. ‘Tjukula’ (waterholes) is a stunning representation of the artist’s mother’s and grandfather’s country south of Pipalyatjara.
The Dhinawan (emu) feather print is inspired by the colours and lines of Yuwaalaraay Country, created in honour of place. Based on feathers collected by the artist from Country, this print series traverses experience to wearable memory where the Dhinawan feathers adorn and wrap around the body, echoing the gentle embrace of Gunimaa (Mother Earth).
Australian Made
MAARA Collective are proud to carry Australian Made accreditation for our locally made products. Our locally manufactured pieces are made in Sydney Australia, and registered with the Australian Made Campaign.
Member of Australian Fashion Council
We are a member of the Australian Fashion Council. Supporting Australian fashion brands, designers and local manufacturing.