KAMARA x Kenita.Lee - Matakupaat Arts Collaboration
Founders of Kamara Australia, Naomi and Kirsty, introduce their collection “DREAM”. Collaborating with First Nations artist Kenita-Lee McCartney from Kenita.Lee - Matakupaat Arts, they’ve created the signature piece of this collection, the MIM one piece.
MIM features colourful symbols of orange and pink contrasting with a classic black background. “MIM was created to express my connection to my ancestors through design,” says Kenita-Lee. “These symbols are my representation of my ancestor’s strength and the guidance they show me. They symbolise resilience, love, connection, spirituality, and watching over us.”
More about Indigenous Artist Kenita.Lee
Kenita- Lee McCartney, is a proud Wemba Wemba, Wiradjuri, Wotjiboluk, Nari Nari and Boon Wurrung woman from the South Coast of Australia.
“Creating for me is a way to express a moment in time and connect with my ancestors, my people and my Country. I utilise this method as an outlet, a way to heal, to share my experiences, connect to those stories that have been woven throughout my family for many centuries.
“Kenita.Lee - Matakupaat Arts is run on the Murray River in regional Victoria, and on the lands of my people the Wemba Wemba people. My vision is to create positive, sustainable change through community-led initiatives."
“Each piece in the DREAM Collection inspires clarity and the parallel discovery of what is truly important in life,” says Naomi. “It’s whimsical lines, and balance of bold colours inject fun, perfect hints of hope and help connect us to our dreams, renewed and realigned”.
KAMARA Australia luxury swimwear was born following Naomi's own skin cancer diagnosis and subsequent inability to find stylish, well-made and sustainable, protective swimwear. With a focus on sustainability and manufacturing locally in Australia, the sisters were determined to reimagine sun protection. The goal, design "undeniably gorgeous, sun-conscious swimwear for a country that has some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. We wanted to create a range that would provide customers with worry-free beautiful time in the sun," says Naomi.
The Dream Collection, stocked in The Iconic as part of their “considered umbrella” approach to fashion. With sustainability a primary focus, Kamara Australia produce in small runs to minimize their eco-footprint and ensure minimal waste. “We use recycled lining fabrics that have been developed using recycled yarn from single-use bottles destined for landfill,” says Naomi. “We also use eco-friendly printing with water-based inks”.
All Kamara Australian swimwear provides 50 UPF sun protection and is designed and manufactured sustainably in Australia, using the highest quality materials. An indigenous owned and operated business, Kamara also proudly support the Melanoma Institute of Australia.
Experience more of Kenita-Lee's incredible works at www.matakupaatarts.com
