From shells to showstopping designs, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins balances tradition with growth, making waves in the fashion world.
A Quandamooka Artist’s Journey
Paint-stained hands signifies a morning prepping fabric for Quandamooka woman Delvene Cockatoo-Collins’ highly sort after clothing range. Delvene’s pieces grace fashion parades across Australia, including Melbourne Fashion Festival and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
One bespoke garment made its way to the red carpet of the 2023 Academy Awards, worn by the mother of a Queensland-based Oscar nominee.
“I’m an overnight success, 26 years in the making,” Delvene laughs.
Delvene began expressing her creativity in the mid 90s creating jewellery from shells collected on her country of Minjerribah, and selling them at Aboriginal Creations and Rainbow Serpent in Meeanjin.
Delvene’s art was put on hold when she moved away from her homelands, married and began a family. As the children got older and on return to Minjerribah, Delvene returned to what brought her joy.
“There became more interest in my work. I thought maybe I should take this seriously, and began attending artists camps and markets and held exhibitions.”
Storytelling through Art
Delvene brings to life the stories of her ancestors, passed down through generations, capturing the land, waters and sea of Country, and sourcing materials from Minjerribah.
“Everything I do is through family. My pieces are a series of six stories, which I retell through different mediums, canvas, paper, ceramic, fabric and more.”
“I never deviate from that which is passed on to me. I’ve been commissioned to do pieces and every time I consult my mum and Elders.”
“I’m responsible to my direct family, so I need to know can I share this in my work, what’s appropriate, there’s that authority side.”
A life-sized mermaid covered in shells and local materials greets visitors to Delvene’s shop on the island, the story of Warrajamba and Tangalooma.
Family Business: Sharing the Dream
Supporting her in the business is younger members of Delvene’s family, in the store and behind the scenes.
“I’m able to provide part time work. They see what’s involved in running a business like this, the long hours, which also involves being away from home. I hope I’m inspiring them to follow their dreams.”
Delvene’s signature style can be found in sculptures across South-East Queensland and she designed athletes medals for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Scaling Up
In 2021, an incredible opportunity came her way when Delvene was invited to provide products for the Australian stall at the Dubai World Expo.
“I wanted to do it, but I didn’t have the capacity. A lot of my work is hand made and small scale, and I just wasn’t able to do the job.”
“So the discussion lead to a need to make things more efficiently, and evolving my business.”
Deadly Innovation Empowering Indigenous Business
Deadly Deals through Advance Queensland stepped in, providing funds to upscale her operation.
“I used to hang material up on the line to air dry. The new machine through Deadly Deals meant I was able to meet my goals for Dubai, and it’s cut down so much of my time.”
While the machine has helped increase production, slow fashion, ensuring her hands have touched every inch of the fabric is important to Delvene.
“I want to make sure that my business grows in a way that I don’t go in that big commercial space. I don’t do my clothing mass produced.”
“Slow fashion takes time, it’s personal and bespoke.”
Building Pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Businesses
Advance Queensland is committed to creating pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and innovators to turn ideas into reality.
Read Advance Queensland’s Deadly Innovation strategy to find out more about how we’re planning to deliver jobs and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Last updated: 17 Jul 2024