From Mpartnwe to Montmartre, two Aboriginal women are travelling across the world to debut their art at Paris Fashion Week.
On Monday, Arrernte Luritja Pintupi woman Keturah Zimran and Western Arrernte Warlpiri Luritja woman Roseranna Larry will board a flight to France to watch their art walk the runway at the global fashion event.
Speaking to NITV New Ms Larry said she was "proud and happy" at the opportunity.
"It makes me really happy and proud to be seeing our artwork up in Paris," she said.
The women hail from Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff), a remote community 230 kilometres west of Alice Springs.
"We got a small community, with maybe 150 people living there. Art is very famous, we have people from all over Australia buy things from us," said Ms Larry.
She said the opportunity to expose their designs to the European market in person would make both the artists and their community very proud.
Roseranna Larry. Ikuntji Artists – Haasts Bluff NT 2018. Source: Photographer: Tobias Titz
Welcome return
Luckily the pair already have their passports sorted, this being their second trip to Paris.
Ms Larry said while the first time was pretty daunting, this time it's all about the art.
"It will feel right, I'm just going there to be there for the Paris Fashion and coming back!" she laughed.
Ms Zimran however is excited to settle back into the adventure.
"I'm so excited to be travelling again. This is the second time I've travelled to London and Paris... I been there three years ago," she said.
"Take time to look around, drive around, and to see our artworks in different places."
A family legacy
For Ms Zimran the trip hits particularly close to home.
Her grandmother was one of the founding members of Ikuntji Artists, and it was under her guidance that Zimran learnt her craft.
"My family would be so proud," Ms Zimran said.
"My grandmother taught me painting. It makes it more special.
"I will be thinking of her when I go."
Ikuntji Artists Centre Manager Dr Chrischona Schmidt told NITV News that the opportunity was organised with London Pacific Fashion Week.
Keturah Zimran. Ikuntji Artists – Haasts Bluff NT 2018. Source: Photographer: Tobias Titz
"The ladies are taking garments from different collections over to London and Paris," she said.
The first show will take place in Paris, as part of the Gendered Objects in the Pacific category of the Pacific Arts conference.
"The ladies will give a talk about the designs and then we'll actually be showing them a fashion show," she said.
"And on a next day, we'll travel on to London... Very exciting. Everybody is very excited!"
For Dr Schmidt, the importance of the opportunity isn't taken lightly.
"For central Australia, this is unprecedented . . . for central Australian Aboriginal artists, taking their designs all the way to Europe - it's incredible," she said.
