Lenore Dembski is a talented designer who has been designing clothing for more than 20 years. Her present role as ATSIC Staff Training Manager in Darwin gives her the expertise and motivation to work towards involving Indigenous textile designers in small business. Lenore set up her retail business in 1997, 'Paperbark Woman'. In recent Northern Territory Fashion Awards, 'Paperbark Woman' won 12 out of 40 awards.
This dress was designed by Lenore Dembski, the fabric was designed by Reggie Sultan, for Paperbark Woman label of Darwin, Northern Territory.
Lenore Dembski is a talented designer who has been designing clothing for twenty years. Her present role as ATSIC Staff Training Manager in Darwin gives her the expertise and motivation to work towards involving Indigenous and non-Indigenous textile designers in small business. Lenore set up her retail business in 1997 when her husband fell ill but now she is employed by ATSIC. While in her present job, her sister takes care of the business, 'Paperbark Woman', for her.
In the recent Northern Territory Fashion Awards, 'Paperbark Woman' won twelveout of forty fashion awards.
Lenore's business makes use of contemporary marketing techniques - Lenore aims to sell her products overseas with the help of a promotional CD. She sees great market potential for the beautiful prints that are produced by designerin the Northern Territory. The textile designs she uses reflect the close cultural ties with the land. In her promotional material she acknowledges each textile designer.
Indigenous fashion designers are not encouraged to display at Sydney and Melbourne Fashion Weeks - the organisers of these events are more focussed on a European look and make participation very expensive for small companies. Lenore exhibited silk scarves and fabric in the 1997 Sydney fashion Week.
Though the local market is very slow, a distinct Australian look is often sought by people travelling from overseas and Lenore is attempting to capture this market with the contemporary styling and distinct and beautiful silks of her glamorous evening wear. The prints draw on a rich and beautiful natural environment for their inspiration. The prints and the styling combine to create a unique and glamorous look, in contrast to the work of other Indigenous designers who have been more focussed on sportswear and casual cottons.
The dress was made by Lenore Dembski for Paperbark Woman label of Darwin, Northern Territory.
This dress was made in 1999.
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