Muslim Australian fashion designer creates Crocodile Dundee inspired collection

AN AUSTRALIAN designer making waves internationally has given her new collection a ‘70s twist — with a nod to Crocodile Dundee and the outback.

Amalina Aman was born in Port Headland and grew up in western Sydney, but is currently in Asia for work.

Her new collection, Gypsy Wanderer, is set to be shown at Parramatta’s first Hijab fashion parade on Saturday.

“This collection, I’m very inspired by travel, I have been travelling so much in the past four years,” she said.

“I’m also very inspired by Crocodile Dundee, Indiana Jones.”

These movies may seem far removed from the trendy world of fashion, but Ms Aman said the clothing had a ‘nomadic’ look.

Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. Picture: AP Photo/Paramount Pictures

Actor Paul Hogan from the 2001 film 'Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles'.

Reijeli Maraiwai, Jamie Aspillaga and Melanie Bowers model some of Amalina Aman’s designs.

The colours including browns and burnt orange also reflect the Australian outback, while the free-flowing cuts hearken back to the 1970s.

“I’m usually more colourful, but this time, I’m concentrating on Ramadan and then Eid,” she said.

“It’s going to be something very different for me.”

Designer Amalina Aman has taken inspiration from movies and the Australian outback for her latest collection.

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Ms Aman has wanted to be a fashion designer even since she was a little girl sitting under her grandmother’s sewing machine in Lakemba and watching her create beautiful outfits from leftover materials.

But her career really took off after her first international showing at the Islamic fashion festival in Malaysia in 2004.

Since then her label, Classic Touch, has been shown at some of the biggest fashion events in the world including New York and London Fashion week.

Melanie Bowers in a Gypsy Wanderer outfit.

Jamie Aspillaga strikes a pose.

But her career really took off after her first international showing at the Islamic fashion festival in Malaysia in 2004.

Since then her label, Classic Touch, has been shown at some of the biggest fashion events in the world including New York and London Fashion week.

“I was one of the first Australian Muslim designers to show internationally,” Ms Aman said.

Reijeli Maraiwai dressed in a detailed lace shirt and hat.

“Now I’m going from one destination to another ... I think because it’s a very fast growing market,” she said.

“Everyone wants a piece of it.

“It just says, OK we are Muslim and I do wear a hijab, but I’m stylish at the same time.”

More than 30 exhibitors including refugee and migrant artists will showcase their works at the Creativity Unleashed Expo alongside Ms Aman.

Organised by the Community Migrant Resource Centre the expo is on at Parramatta Town Hall on Saturday, May 30 from 11am to 3pm.