a chinwag with magpie goose's head honcho, amanda hayman

What was your vision for Stories You Wear when you first started working on the exhibition with Museum of Brisbane? Our vision was to create a space where fashion becomes a platform for storytelling – a way to honour the artists and communities who have shared their knowledge, culture and personal stories with Magpie Goose. We wanted to show that art, design and clothing can carry deep cultural meaning and connect people in powerful ways. From the outset, our goal was to highlight each garment as a living artwork – connected to Country, culture and community. Stories You Wear celebrates the strength of collaboration and demonstrates how fashion can be both aesthetically inspiring and a tool for education and reconciliation.

Tell us about how you found the artists whose work is featured in Stories You Wear. We’ve built relationships with artists and communities across the country over many years. When Troy and I acquired Magpie Goose, there were already a few collections in development. The most recent collections were initiated by us; the Ewyenper Atwatye (Hidden Valley) collection, grew from our close relationship with Tangentyere Artists in Alice Springs. We’re always mindful of showcasing a diversity of voices and stories, and we liked the idea of moving from saltwater Country (Ardyaloon, WA), to desert Country (Ewyenper Atwatye, NT), and continuing to another saltwater place with the Quandamooka Artists collection.

As Brisbane locals, we’ve visited Minjerribah many times, and our close friendship with the Carmichael family – an incredibly talented family of arts professionals – made this collaboration feel especially meaningful. Aunty Sonja Carmichael had invited us to create a collection together and after patiently waiting four or five years, it’s finally come to life.Snap by Freedom Garvey-Warr and Kalumburu Photography Collective, Enterprise Partnerships. Molly Rex, Jordan Unghango, Trinita Bundamurra and Zerika Clement wearing Leoni Melpi’s Waves, Graham Badari’s Nabarlek deja Ngarrbek (Rock Wallaby and Echidna), Reuben Manakgu’s Wakih (Fresh Water Prawns), Bede Tungatalum’s Tiwi Birds, Kodjdjan D Diaguma’s Murnubbarra Karrolka (Flying Magpie Geese) and Elizabeth Kandabuma’s Kun-ngol (Clouds) designs.  

What does it mean to you to see Magpie Goose represented in a gallery context as opposed to a fashion space? It’s incredibly special. Seeing Magpie Goose in a gallery context recognises that our work is more than fashion; the art and designs carry deep cultural stories, not just style trends.

Personally, it feels quite natural to create an exhibition, given my background in art and curation. I don’t come from a fashion background, but what I bring to the social enterprise is cultural knowledge, business experience, and an understanding of art and design. From the beginning, we’ve always centred the artist and their artwork. You can see this reflected in our approach to design – simple silhouettes that allow the prints to speak for themselves. We avoid unnecessary frills or pleats. Instead, we use the body as a canvas to showcase the strength and beauty of the stories shared through textile design.

In what ways do you think clothing can be a means for sharing stories and sparking conversation? Clothing is one of the most personal forms of self-expression – we wear it every day, and it travels with us. When a garment carries a story, it invites curiosity and connection. Someone might ask, “What’s that print about?” and that small question opens up a conversation about the artist, their community, and the significance of the design. It’s a beautiful way to share First Nations culture in an everyday, accessible way.Snap by Helen Orr. Jones Billy and Dudley Forbes wearing Samuel Daylight’s Darbalun (Goanna) and Dudley Forbes’ Dakawa’ (crayfish) designs. 

What are some of the stories that audiences will see represented in this collection of pieces? Each print in Stories You Wear represents a unique story of Country and culture. There are designs about native plants and animals, weather systems, social history, and traditional practices such as weaving and tool-making. Others share deeply personal stories of family, learning, and connection to ancestors. Together, they form a portrait of living culture – diverse, contemporary, and grounded in place.

We take great joy in sharing positive stories about Aboriginal communities, because that’s not always what’s portrayed in the media. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are not a single homogeneous group, there are more than 250 language groups across Australia, each with its own stories, knowledge and cultural beliefs. This exhibition is a celebration of that diversity and strength.

Designs from the collection are screen-printed by hand and are made in Australia. Why is it important for Magpie Goose’s garments to be crafted in this way? Hand screen-printing has a long and important history in Aboriginal communities, from the early Tiwi Designs in the 1960s through to today. For us, continuing this tradition pays homage to that legacy while ensuring quality and sustainability. We do bulk printing through professional printers in Sydney to maintain high standards and manage costs, as freight from remote communities can be challenging. The process remains artisanal, using natural fibres and water-based inks, and all garments are made in Australia under ethical working conditions. As a social enterprise, we ensure artists are paid fair licensing fees, so every print supports culture, community and sustainable practice. As an Aboriginal business, it’s important for us to offer a conscious alternative to fast fashion, which has a huge negative impact on the environment.L: Snap by Kate Harding, Esmeralda Philmax wearing Graham Badari's Lambalk Kangun Mannguy (Sugar Glider Eating Flowers) and Jock Puautjimi's Burial Sites designs; R: Snap by Christian Koch, Lornie Djana wearing Mitjili Napurrula’s Watiya Tjuta design, courtesy Ikuntji Artists.

How do you see the exhibition helping to bridge cultural understanding between the First Nations artists behind the designs and the audience that encounters them? Stories You Wear creates a bridge through storytelling, by inviting audiences to see and feel the connection between art, culture and clothing. It offers a space for empathy and learning; people begin to understand that what might look like a fashion print actually carries layers of meaning tied to Country and identity. When audiences engage with these stories, they become part of the cultural exchange, learning through beauty, conversation and respect.

To see Magpie Goose's rad threads for yourself, pop on over to Museum of Brisbane from November 22nd and catch Stories You Wear.