In the realm of fast fashion, brands such as Zara and Mango churn out new collections weekly. Zara reportedly releases up to 500 new designs weekly. This relentless and unsustainable cycle of production and consumption is a stark contrast to Indigenous textile traditions, where a single garment can take days or even weeks to craft. How often do we find meaning, or a story, behind the fabrics we wear? In the time it takes a Quechua weaver in South America to start and finish a weave, how many new collections have been released on the high street?
What is Indigenous Knowledge?
Indigenous knowledge is the collective wisdom, skills and practices developed by Indigenous communities over generations [1][2]. This is rooted in their relationships with the ecosystems around them [2]. For these communities, sustainability isn’t a buzzword, it’s a way of life [1][2]. Their inherited wisdom and practices place humans within nature, not above it [2]. In many communities, clothing becomes an expression of this connection; their relationships, history, and traditions are turned into something tactile. From the smallest stitch to the natural dyes they use, knowledge is woven in every step of the making process and passed down through generations [3]. For centuries, Indigenous makers have woven, dyed and crafted using materials and methods that honour both culture and the planet. Understanding these fundamentals is key if we are to truly respect people, culture and nature.
“Living and producing textiles goes along with your life, along with your age, along with your everyday activity, that’s why it is living art, it’s not a piece that’s from the past.” [1] ~ Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez
Storytelling Through Cloth: Fashion as Cultural Continuity
In many Indigenous communities fabric isn’t just adorned, it tells a story. A story of cultural identity, history and spirituality.
For example, South American Quechua weavers maintain techniques such as spinning, dyeing and knitting that not only reflect their environment and heritage, but connect them with past generations and cultural traditions too. Their use of natural dyes, hand-spun fibers and intricate patterns reflect their identity and connection to the land [4][5]. These pieces carry tradition, knowledge and community, making the act of weaving a form of cultural continuity. They have meaning and memory that goes beyond function.
“You should be able to be recognized by the type of clothing and textiles you are doing. It’s your cultural identity, where you come from, your origins.” ~ Nilda Callañaupa Alvarez
Additionally, contemporary collaborations like the Magpie Goose project work with Aboriginal communities to show how Indigenous knowledge can shape modern fashion. Magpie Goose works closely with these communities to ensure that design and production respect traditional methods and custodians, while also showcasing cultural heritage in a modern context. It balances honouring Indigenous knowledge with challenging exploitative fashion systems [6].
Clothing Made With the Land, Not Against It
For those of us who live in Western society, “sustainability” is often thrown around as a buzzword. However, for Indigenous communities, it’s second nature. Their ways of crafting are entwined with environmental stewardship. Sustainability isn’t a modern goal, but rather an act that has been embedded in Indigenous lives for generations.
In Uganda, Buganda people make barkcloth. This ancient practice predates the invention of weaving [7] and involves harvesting the inner bark of Mutuba trees, without harming the tree. It is a resource that regenerates naturally once it has been harvested. UNESCO recognises this as an intangible cultural heritage practice [7].
Across India and Indonesia, natural dyeing is about more than just colour – it’s a physical archive of plants, roots, bark and minerals [8][9]. They continue to use methods that have been refined over centuries [8][10]. In India, they use indigo, madder, turmeric and myrobalan, while in Bali artisans use mangosteen, ketapang and sappan wood [9][10]. All of these natural elements connect craft with their ecology and Indigenous heritage. And while these traditions are passed down among generations, they offer a blueprint for fashion that works with the land, not against it [11].
Fashion as Resistance, Visibility and Innovation
Indigenous designers like Grace Lillian Lee and Bethany Yellowtail are using fashion as a platform to reclaim cultural narratives and challenge stereotypes, while also asserting sovereignty. Indigenous fashion is not a static tradition, but a dynamic and constantly evolving expression when it comes to identity and resilience.
Grace is the founder of First Nations Fashion and Design, a 100% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. With values centred around sustainability, inclusivity, authenticity and cultural connection, her mission is to advocate for increasing Indigenous presence in Australian fashion spaces. [13] This year, Grace made history as the first Indigenous designer to showcase a collection at Paris Couture Fashion Week, in July 2025 [12].
Across the ocean, Northern Cheyenne designer Bethany Yellowtail emphasises the importance of authentic partnership when it comes to brands collaborating with Indigenous designers. Bethany Yellowtail highlights the need to prioritise Indigenous perspectives, so that brands avoid using designers for tokenism [14]. It’s crucial that brands approach Indigenous culture with respect, as well as involving them in the design and decision-making processes. This ensures that designers and narratives are portrayed accurately and in an honourable way [15].
Final Reflection: What We Can Learn (And How to Learn It Well)
Indigenous knowledge reminds us that fashion can be an act of care. That what we wear, make, and value can be deeply rooted in stewardship, connection and respect. To truly honour these traditions, we must unlearn fast fashion habits and reimagine our choices through the lens of community, craftsmanship, and sustainability. By stepping away from overconsumption, we create space to value what we already own, celebrate artisans who preserve age-old wisdom, and support Indigenous communities whose practices nurture balance with the Earth.
Ready to begin? Join us in a Fast Fashion Detox, a commitment to slow down, shop less, and support alternatives rooted in Indigenous wisdom and mindful living. Every pledge is a thread that helps weave a future where fashion uplifts cultures and restores our planet.
