Blak Sovereignty

Creating works at the convergence of traditional practice and contemporary techniques, Off the Plantation aka Natisha Tabua transposes the lively, rhythmic brushstrokes of visual artists into grand couture creations. Their maximal dresses and draped forms point to a parallel between sewing and basket-weaving, contemporary and cultural knowledge. As they each use the same motions and repetitive techniques to craft a finished form.

Natisha Tabua is a skilled seamstress and visionary behind custom couture brand 'Off the Plantation'. She is steadily making a name for herself by creating gowns in collaboration with Visual Artists such as Ikunji and Dylan Charles - whose work has appeared on runways at Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Week, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and in Vogue magazine. The Papua New Guinean, Torres Strait Islander, Fijian and Indian designers aim as a sustainable label is to empower women - especially Mob - encouraging them to step into their light.

A Fringe first, this slow fashion garment installation by Off the Plantation is inspired by Blak Sovereignty, in alignment with this year's Fringe Festival theme, “Action Heroes”.

Nominated for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, 2025.