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First Nations models walking the runway for the Chanel Spring Summer 2026 Collection

First two Indigenous Australian women walking together for the Chanel Spring Summer 2026 collection in Paris.

Image credit: GoRunway.com

Two young women from First Nations groups of Casino (NSW) and Darwin (NT) were the two runway stars of the last Paris Fashion Week edition that revealed the spring/summer 2026 collection for Chanel at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Tatyana Perry, 19, from the Gamulkbun and Kokatha nations, and Latahlia Hickling, 18, from the Githabul and Bundjalung peoples, made their international debut at Paris Fashion Week this October for Chanel. This year's show highlighted the representation of Indigenous models on the world stage. 

They are not the first Indigenous Australian women to walk in Paris. Awabakal woman Charlee Fraser was one of the first Indigenous models to break into the international scene. However, having two First Nations women walk together is unprecedented. This marks a landmark moment for Indigenous representation in global fashion.

This isn’t the first time Chanel creative director Matthieu Blazy has incorporated Indigenous talent in his shows. For the Bottega Veneta autumn/winter 2023/2024 collection in Milan, Blazy cast Yolngu model Tarlisa Gaykamangu, who travelled from rural Arnhem Land (NT) to walk the runway in Italy. Like Hickling and Perry, it was her first time walking the runway for a European house. Six months later, she appeared on the September 2023 cover of Vogue Australia. During show preparation, Blazy reportedly took time away from designing to educate himself on Milingimbi tradition and customs, in a moment of cultural exchange that preceded Gaykamangu’s appearance.

This moment comes amidst an unprecedented uptick in the casting of Australian models on runways in recent seasons, with newcomers like Stella Hanan and Angelina Kendall joining established industry greats like Julia Nobis and Adut Akech Bior in becoming some of the world’s most in-demand models. 

Thinking back to the start of her career, 21-year-old Marrithiyel model Em Stenberg, who was scouted at 17 at a Darwin bus stop, commented:

“I would be the only brown girl on set. I’d be like, ‘Oh, you’re trying to tick a box.’ But today it’s not like that.”

This casting decision brought additional excitement to a show that was one of the season’s most eagerly anticipated. Blazy was announced to lead Chanel last December, making him the fourth person to lead the French house in its 114-year history. The French-Belgian designer succeeded Gabrielle Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Virginie Viard.

On the runway, Perry wore a low-slung skirt and buttoned Chanel cardigan, a classic archetype at the house. Hickling wore an ethereal flowing dress with black detailing, and a pair of classic Chanel slingbacks.

Source: Vogue Australia