Stories Of Your Town

SEDA Collective is an ethical jewellery and fashion brand dedicated to providing support for indigenous communities and artisans around the world. This photograph pays tribute to the artisans from Colombia who are the skilled creators behind the jewellery and fashion pieces.

Denara is the owner of SEDA collective. Coming from a Uyghur heritage, she migrated to Australia at the age of 12, initially unaware of the Uyghur genocide unfolding in China due to media bias. It wasn't until she began connecting with Uyghur communities in Australia that she became informed about this tragic situation. In this photograph, she is standing proudly in front of her studio, with the cloth on the door reflecting Uyghur cultural designs, feeling a stronger connection to her culture.

In 2017, she met a talented Colombian artisan who introduced her to the Colombian beadworks. She learned about the techniques and meanings underlying different weaving patterns, recognising their significance in representing the values and culture of indigenous communities. This discovery inspired her to introduce beautiful wearable art to a global audience.

Denara has a deep fascination with cultural designs from all over the world. She's a collector of items from Africa, Asia, and South America, and this passion was a significant driving force behind the creation of her brand, SEDA Collective. In this photograph, you can spot a Uyghur textile painting called Atlas in the left corner and a Colombian art called Mola fabric on the right.

"Every culture share similarity in terms of colours, shapes, and beads," Denara highlights the commonalities that can be found across different cultures. Despite the unique aspects of each culture, there are still elements that connect us. In this photograph, you can see beaded necklaces crafted by artisan families in Colombia. According to a study by the University of Toronto, beadwork has always been significant in representing Indigenous resiliency. The designs showcase these shared elements that can be found in other cultures.

As Denara grew older, she became increasingly connected to her Uyghur heritage. On her shelf, three caps are stacked on top of each other. These doppas, traditional skullcaps, were passed down to her from her grandmother, and she passionately explains their importance in Uyghur culture. These caps are often exchanged as gifts during special occasions, including weddings and for those who perform traditional dances.

While Denara doesn't craft the jewellery herself, she curates and sells it. In this close-up photograph, she is seen attaching earring hooks to the beaded jewellery designs, which were handcrafted by artisans. This is in preparation for her pop-up market stall exhibition scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

In this photograph, Denara is assisting customers in selecting their preferred jewellery pieces at the Finders Keepers Market held in the Royal Exhibition building. From time to time, Denara also sets up pop-up stores at events.

Denara has a significant social media presence, and in this photograph, she can be seen creating social media video content to inform people about the upcoming pop-up store. She not only sells the products but also educates her followers and customers about the ethical way to purchase indigenous designs.

Denara hopes to shed a light and educate people about the importance of making ethical fashion choices. By merging her social media presence with her commitment to supporting indigenous communities, she strives to create a positive impact within the industry and raise awareness about the hidden costs of fast fashion. In this featured photograph, she proudly wears clothing made ethically and embraces her cultural heritage.