Mainie Wool - A Uniquely Australian Fashion Story

Authentic Aboriginal Designs from Mainie's Woolmark Australian Merino Wool Collection

In 2015, Mainie launched our maiden collection of pure silk scarves, wraps and tops that featured authentic Aboriginal art designs by acclaimed Warlpiri women artists from the remote Tanami Desert region of Central Australia.

Six years later in 2021 and Mainie’s exquisite melding of luxurious textiles and the world’s oldest art has since evolved as a distinctively Australian fashion brand that is now loved and cherished by stylish people around the world.

The latest Mainie Australian Merino wool scarf collection is a testament to our commitment to be a sustainable designer fashion label that embraces impeccable business ethics and social responsibility principles.

Mainie is proud to present the six stunning designs in our new wool scarf collection.

 From left: Desert Journey Dreaming by Mary Napangardi Gallagher, Desert Tracks Dreaming by Valma Nakamarra White, Rock Pools Dreaming by Joy Nangala Brown

From left: Night Ceremony Dreaming by Geraldine Napangardi Granites, Red Bark Trees Dreaming by Nicole Napaljarri Stevens, Red Earth Dreaming by Alicka Napanangka Brown

Each design in the Mainie Australian Merino wool collection was created by a traditional Warlpiri Aboriginal woman artist and depicts an ancient Dreaming story that has been passed down to her through many generations of her ancestors over tens of thousands of years.

All of the original artworks were ethically acquired from the Warlukurlangu Artists, a community-based arts centre that has been stronghold for the preservation of the traditional culture and language of the Warlpiri Aboriginal people for over 35 years.

The Warlpiri homelands extend across the vast Tanami Desert in Central Australia. Due to the geographic isolation of their tribal lands, the Warlpiri were among some of the last Aboriginal people in Australia to make contact with Europeans.

To this day, the Warlpiri people continue to live on their ancestral homelands and maintain a strong physical and spiritual connection to their country and culture.

Sacred Water Dreaming site on the Warlpiri Homelands in the Tanami Desert

Mainie is committed to supporting Aboriginal women from isolated and remote communities in Outback Australia to earn an independent income from their own work and keep alive their traditional cultural legacy for future generations.

The art designs included in our fashion collection are purchased and licensed in accordance with the Indigenous Art Code. Under the terms of our licensing agreements, the Aboriginal artists retain the copyright to their original artworks and receive royalties from all sales.

First row: Joy Nangala Brown, Alicka Napanangka Brown, Geraldine Napangardi Granites

Second row: Mary Napangardi Gallagher, Valma Nakamarra White, Nicole Napaljarri Stevens

Each scarf in our new wool collection is destined to become a timeless and meaningful heirloom. We have selected only the softest and finest Woolmark certified, Australian Merino wool to create our collection. Every piece is beautifully handcrafted by skilful artisan textile workers.

Every Mainie wool scarf is artisan handcrafted

At Mainie, we believe that the story of Australia’s Merino wool industry is a fitting bookend against the time-honoured history of Aboriginal Australia.

As the world’s oldest living culture, Australia’s enduring cultural heritage spans back over the millennia to the dawn of humanity.

Merino wool has been produced in Australia since the earliest days of the first English settlement and is a major contributor to our national wealth and prosperity.

The historical importance of Australia’s Merino wool industry is often conveyed in the expression, “Australia rides on the sheep's back.”

 Australian Merino Wool Fleece - The Finest Wool in the World

Since 1797, when the first Merino sheep were landed in Australia, the  Australian wool industry has boosted the economic development of regional towns.

This important nation-building industry was also the inspiration behind iconic works of art and poetry, such as Australian impressionist, Tom Roberts' seminal painting, “Shearing the Rams” and Banjo Patterson’s beloved ballad, “Waltzing Matilda”. 

 

“A Mainie pure wool scarf is so much more than just a beautiful fashion piece. It is a tangible and meaningful celebration of our shared Australian story and a tribute to the character of our people, our 60,000-year-old unbroken Aboriginal culture and our unique national identity.” 

 

Mainie is a Supply Nation verified Indigenous Australian owned and operated business and an Indigenous Art Code approved dealer member.

Mainie is the exclusive provider of Indigenous fashion and apparel to the Australian Pavilion at the Dubai Expo.

Our Australian Merino wool scarf collection is available at Mainie online at https://www.mainie.com.au/collections/wool-scarves