From Grief to Garment: High School Fashion Project Honors Memory, Embraces Indigenous Culture at CIAF

When faced with the task of creating a significant art piece, 17-year-old Tassiana Riordan instantly knew the profound dedication it would carry. Her creation serves as a moving tribute to her beloved eldest brother, Samuel, a gifted dancer, musician, and artist, who tragically succumbed to a rare brain tumour late last year.

"He was a big impact in my life," Tassiana shared, reflecting on her brother's influence. "I think he would be really happy that I was able to dedicate this art piece to him."

The Trinity Bay State High School student meticulously designed a concept that has since been transformed into a wearable work of art. This unique garment is slated to feature prominently in a performance at this year's prestigious Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), an event known for its vibrant celebration of First Nations creativity. In previous years, CIAF has integrated school classes into various aspects of its productions, including set design.

Tassiana's design is rich with personal symbolism, anchoring around a cherished photograph of Samuel proudly holding a traditional headdress he once wore while performing. She framed this central image with Samuel's initials and four frangipani flowers—his favourite bloom—alongside a wild yam vine, the ancestral totem of her clan from Saibai in the Torres Strait. Each frangipani petal also bears the initials of her four brothers, weaving a narrative of family connection.

Further enhancing the uniqueness of the designs, Trinity Bay students incorporated microscopic images of their own blood cells, which were then printed as an intricate background for their artworks.

"My family's very cultural and has a lot of traditional art practices like dancing and singing and the traditional art styles," Tassiana explained. "My grandfather and my older brother, Sammy, really inspired me because they have a lot of pride in our culture."

This remarkable collection is the fruit of a collaborative partnership between Trinity Bay State High School and Cairns's First Nations Fashion and Design Hub. Through this initiative, students are empowered to articulate their personal narratives and cultural heritage using the medium of fashion.

Finding Identity Through Fabric

Lynelle Flinders, CIAF fashion coordinator, emphasized the timeless centrality of storytelling within Indigenous cultures, noting that fashion offers an innovative avenue for young people to delve into their origins. "Everybody's got a story, whether it's good, bad or indifferent. It's giving a message," she stated.

Ms Flinders highlighted a concerning trend where many young individuals miss out on learning their family histories due to the passing of elders. This cultural dislocation, she observed, can lead to a sense of "restlessness." "A lot of people don't even know half the stories that they should know or even where they're from," she remarked. However, by embracing contemporary art forms, young people are now able to "start to explore their own stories."

Visual art teacher Natalie Masters, who guided students in this explorative journey of identity, affirmed the innate creativity unleashed by the project. "Once you know who you are, you're going to love yourself," Ms Flinders added. "When you love yourself, you're going to be a better person."

Cairns-based designer Grace Lillian Lee, a prominent figure in connecting numerous young individuals with opportunities in the fashion industry, expressed her desire to foster the kind of prospects for Indigenous creatives that were unavailable to her during her upbringing in Far North Queensland.

Approximately two dozen Trinity Bay students dedicated months to conceptualizing original designs, which were then brought to life by textiles students, transforming them into runway-ready garments for CIAF. Natalie Masters, the visual art teacher, underscored how the project galvanized students to explore their identity through creative expression. "When I ask them, 'Who are you, and can you show that in an artwork?' it just flows naturally out of them," Ms Masters noted.

Healing Through Artistry

For Tassiana, that introspective question naturally led her back to the memory of her brother, the strength of her family, and the richness of her culture. Having relocated from the remote Cape York communities of New Mapoon and Bamaga to Cairns in 2024 for her studies, she was determined to remain tethered to her roots.

"It was louder in the city, and I was having to learn to speak more English than broken English," she recounted, underscoring her resolve. "I'm really proud of my culture and I would love to show it."

Her artwork also beautifully incorporates elements honouring her father's Irish heritage, featuring universally recognized symbols such as swirls.

Miles Riordan, Tassiana's proud father, conveyed his deep gratitude for the support and guidance provided by the school and the art hub, acknowledging their pivotal role in his daughter's journey of healing and growth. "They wouldn't be doing the fashion parade without the support and the guidance," he affirmed.

For Tassiana, the creation transcended a mere garment for a runway show. "It was really healing, this journey through my art," she reflected. "It's like keeping [Samuel] alive. It really helped me cope with it. He really loved us."