BULUUY MIRRII

Colleen Tighe Johnson is a proud Gomeroi Yinarr from Moree, New South Wales, living in Tamworth. Colleen uses her talents to harness the spirit of her Gomeroi ancestors and revive Gomeroi Dreaming Stories through her label, Buluuy Mirrii (Black Star in her Gamilaraay language).Buluuy Mirrii designs have been featured on international runways in Melbourne, New Zealand, Canada and New York. Some of Colleen’s career highlights include the Cannes Film Festival, Paris Fashion Week and her vegan leather dress, Bully (black) Dreaming being featured in Vogue Australia’s September 2021 edition. The label Buluuy Mirrii celebrates a range of Aboriginal talents. Commissioned Gomeroi artworks are transformed into fabric patterns by a Gomeroi graphic designer, printed on luxury fabrics and sewn into one-off garments. Her label, Buluuy Mirrii promotes and revives important aspects of Gomeroi culture in each runway show, allowing the international fashion audience to learn some of Gomeroi cultural richness through soundtracks and voice overs which tell the stories behind each garment. Colleen's fashion business also incorporates a social enterprise - the Buluuy Mirrii Youth Development Program which provides mentoring, cultural development, self-esteem and fashion industry training for Aboriginal youth. The Buluuy Mirrii Youth Development Program embodies Colleen's passion for youth development by providing Aboriginal youth opportunities to travel outside the country, and learn about a creative career field such as fashion. Buluuy Mirri is a household name that is paving the way for more Aboriginal artist work to be seen in international spaces. Colleen's vision is to establish a 100% Aboriginal owned and run fashion house in Australia, and she is well on her way.