Epson and First Nations Fashion & Design launch Designer-in-Residency Program
Epson has extended its landmark technology and sustainability agreement to support First Nations Fashion & Design (FNFD), the NFP Indigenous Corporation whose goal is promoting the growth of the Indigenous fashion sector and in addition launched the inaugural Epson and FNFD Designer-in-Residency Program with its first two awarded recipients.
FNFD founder and chairperson, Grace Lillian Lee and Epson Australia MD, Craig Heckenberg
Epson Australia MD, Craig Heckenberg said, “Our extended relationship with FNFD and the launch of the Designer-in-Residency Program is a result of a natural extension of our partnership that allows Epson Australia to play a key role in a number of FNFD strategic initiatives which support and empower emerging First Nation fashion and textile designers in Cairns and the surrounding regions.”
FNFD founder and chairperson, Grace Lillian Lee added, “The Designer-in-Residency Program is such an important opportunity to provide deep, tailored support for emerging First Nations designers. This year’s recipients bring unique talent and vision to the program and we look forward to walking alongside them as they continue their creative journeys.”
The Designer-in-Residency Program has been created to empower First Nations emerging and established fashion and textile designers by providing essential resources, mentorship and support from Epson and FNFD to refine their creative practices and grow their businesses. The program aims to foster cultural expression and sustainability through textile design, build business capacity, production skills and creative confidence and create opportunities for national exposure through the FNFD Fashion Showcase in 2026.
The first two recipients who have been awarded places on the Designer-in-Residency Program are Ivy Minniecon and Lisa Lui.
Ivy Minniecon
As a descendant of the Kuku Yalanji, Kabi Kabi, Gooreng Gooreng and South Sea Islander Nations, Ivy’s art practice is deeply rooted in cultural heritage. Ivy’s work is a testament to sense of place, connection and belonging to Country. The primary focus of her work is the Yalanji weave of the balji, a traditional bag made from the kakan of the duwar (Black Palm), native to the Daintree Rainforest. More recently, her weaving practice has also incorporated traditional grass skirts.
Ivy said, “I am grateful to God and my ancestors for leading my path into places I have only dreamed of. This opportunity is a dream come true and divine timing as I have always wanted to contribute to the First Nation Fashion Industry.”
Lisa Lui
Lisa Lui, a proud Dauareb woman and fashion designer from the Eastern Torres Strait Islands, captivated audiences at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair fashion performance with her abstract art collection ‘Nener’ in 2024 and ‘Bulubulu’ in 2025. Inspired by the deep connection to her heritage and the memory of her late father and mother, Lisa’s work is a vivid homage to the cultural legacy she carries and a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving the land for future generations.
Lisa said, “I am truly blessed for this opportunity to be part of the Residency program with FNFD and Epson. Fashion is something that I always wanted to explore. It is a privilege and honour to be able to share my Torres Strait culture through fashion and art.”
The Epson Monna Lisa ML-8000 direct-to-fabric printer used by FNFD designers
The Designer-in-Residency Program is funded and fully supported by Epson and includes a broad curriculum of classes, education, mentoring and training in cultural and creative research, digital textile design exploration and printing technical development, textile collection development, and business and branding marketing. This culminates in a mid-residency showcase, garment sampling and production, collaboration and innovation and a final collection completion of the 2026 FNFD fashion showcase at the 2026 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
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Facebook: @firstnationsfashiondesign
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YouTube: @FirstNationsFashionandDesign
About Epson, Epson Australia and Epson New Zealand
Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.
Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion.
https://corporate.epson/en/https://corporate.epson/en/
Epson Australia offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is the market leader in Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Established in 1983 Epson Australia and now in its 41st year of operation, it is headquartered in North Sydney, NSW and is a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
Epson New Zealand offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is a market leader in New Zealand, Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Epson New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and is a branch of Epson Australia Pty Limited, a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
www.epson.co.nz
About First Nations Fashion + Design (FNFD)
FNFD is an NFP Indigenous Corporation whose core business is in supporting the growth of the Indigenous Fashion sector. A national voice representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, creating ongoing access to opportunities, skill development and industry engagement. FNFD prides itself on delivering efficient, effective solutions across the ecology of the growing Indigenous Fashion Ecology.
The FNFD program provides a national platform for grassroots art collectives and artists to showcase Indigenous-led arts, dance and fashion. In doing so, this unique and progressive initiative also enables a space for cultural expression, celebration and the continued dialogue of Indigenous knowledge.
One of our key aims of FNFD is to assist to improve the economic status of First Nations designers and communities, through increasing enterprise capability, and investment into community made arts and products. Beyond that, it is also a chance to celebrate Indigenous independent designers and increase their design skills and profile.
FNFD aims to promote ethical trading, and best practice when working with, purchasing or licensing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander arts, prints, designs, and cultural products.
https://firstnationsfashiondesign.com