The chaos of Rosemount Australian Fashion Week is a long way from one designer's barefoot existence in Byron Bay. Swimwear designer Lisa Burke talks to SBS about preparing for her fashion week debut.
Burke is behind the swim and leisure wear line Lisa Blue, combining her love for surfing, whale conservation and Indigenous rights. The Byron Bay based designer works directly with Indigenous artists to source unique prints for her swimwear designs.
Her latest collection features the artwork of Rosie Miller, from the Whale Tribe in South Australia, a close relative of the Indigenous artist Burke used for her 2009 collection.
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“I've been blessed with having a great friendship with some Indigenous people and I've always had a strong respect and affiliation with them,” said Burke, who donates 25% of her profits to the Australian Whale Conservation Society.
Adelaide girl Tamara Flannagan has been chosen to be the face of Lisa Blue and will join fellow Indigenous model Samantha Harris at fashion week on Friday.
“I'm extremely happy to help an Aboriginal girl stand up to the world and be proud of her identity and show the world how incredibly beautiful Indigenous people are in Australia.”
Burke hopes Flannagan will be able to accompany her to the Miami swim show later this year.
Burke is excited about her fashion week debut, though admits to feeling a little out of place being the girl from Byron.
“We tend to get around in thongs and barefeet so I walked into fashion week feeling like I have a bit of hay in my hair. Putting on high heels is quite a challenge when you're used to wearing thongs all the time.”
Lisa Burke will show her Lisa Blue designs on Friday as part of the Swim Fashion Week @ RAFW show.
