Meet our Guest with Tina Waru

Left: Portrait of Tina Waru. Right: Global Indigenous Runway Project event. Photos by Lucas Dawson Photography, courtesy of Global Indigenous Management.

Tina Waru is a celebrated entrepreneur, advocate and trailblazer who has made a profound impact in both the fashion and creative industries.

As the founder of the Indigenous Runway Project (formally known as Indigenous Fashion Unearthed) Tina has mentored and trained approximately 2,000 young First Nations individuals in runway modelling, design and event production. Over the past 13 years, she has successfully curated high-end fashion runway events for Melbourne Fashion Festival and international brands, bringing Indigenous talent to the global stage. Tina's work has inspired and empowered the next generation of Indigenous leaders.

As Global Indigenous Management’s (GMO) lawyer and advisor, GWA was excited to sit down with Tina to hear more about her incredible initiatives to date.

Let’s go back to the beginning. Can you tell us about Global Indigenous Management (GIM) came to be?

I see my journey as having been one of resilience, vision and transformation. I faced educational struggles early on, but didn’t allow that to stop me becoming a global leader in Indigenous fashion. My story is a testament to the power of cultural pride, representation and empowerment.

Despite the setbacks in schooling I experienced, my path took an unexpected turn when I was introduced to makeup classes and sewing, a skill that provided my first job opportunity and also laid the foundation for my career in fashion. I was encouraged by my father’s belief in education, earning a Bachelor’s degree and Postgraduate qualification in Psychology from the University of Auckland. Adversity doesn’t define one’s potential.

Fashion has always been a part of my lineage. My aunt co-founded New Zealand’s first Maori fashion show in the 1970s and my grandfather had impeccable style which symbolised Indigenous confidence and pride. I inherited a deep appreciation for fashion as a tool for self-expression and cultural identity. It wasn’t until attending a fashion show in 2003 – where Maori designs were showcased but no Maori designers or models were represented – that I fully grasped the glaring lack of Indigenous representation in the industry.

This realisation stayed with me. Years later, while I worked with Indigenous youth in Australia, I saw first-hand the limited opportunities for young First Nations creatives. Fuelled by a sense of duty, I made a life-changing decision – I left my job to build a fashion platform for Indigenous designers, models, and creatives with the purpose of showcasing their work on the world stage.

Through Global Indigenous Management (GIM) and the Indigenous Runway Project, I’ve worked to break down industry barriers and increase the visibility of Indigenous fashion globally.

My ongoing mission is to see Indigenous fashion achieve equal recognition, ensuring that designers and creatives from First Nations communities are not only included in the industry but also celebrated at the forefront of it.

I remain deeply connected to my roots, frequently returning to my tribal homeland in order to reconnect with my people, history and purpose. I view my work as a continuation of the legacy of my ancestors, with a mission to ensure that Indigenous fashion isn’t just acknowledged but woven into the very fabric of the global fashion industry.

What have been some of the biggest highlights for GIM so far?

We were awarded the Victorian Governor’s Export Awards in 2023, finalists in the Australian Export Awards and recipients of the 2024 Woman of the Year award in Lalor, Victoria.

I’m proud of GIM gaining both national and international acknowledgment, also winning highly acclaimed awards in Italy and USA for design and in the creative industries. Through Global Indigenous Runway, I continue to uplift and champion the next generation of Indigenous creatives. 

Many of the Indigenous Runway Project’s alumni have gone on to lead successful careers in the creative industry. Martin Sensmeier, our first Native American alumnus is now part of Hollywood’s A-list actors, working alongside Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Angela Jolie. Other local talent includes Aboriginal model and media presenter Isaac Muller who now works with ABC News and local fashion designer, Lyn-Al Young who won the David Jones Emerging Designer Award in 2018.

Can you expand on how GIM empowers First Nations creatives?

At the heart of GIM’s mission is the Global Indigenous Runway, a platform that’s showcased Indigenous designers, models, and creatives from across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the USA, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia.

By featuring First Nations talent at major events like Melbourne Fashion Week and the ASEAN Australian Special Summit, GIM ensures that Indigenous creativity is recognised on the global stage.

Some of these initiatives include training and mentorship for emerging designers and models, partnerships with brands and industry leaders to connect Indigenous creatives with global markets, and more.

Tell us about your work with visual artists. Is it similar or different to GIM’s work in the fashion industry?

GIM’s work with visual artists aligns closely with our approach in the fashion industry. Both are about platforming Indigenous creativity on a global scale while also ensuring economic empowerment and cultural integrity. Just as we support emerging and established First Nations designers in gaining industry recognition, we provide Indigenous visual artists with opportunities to showcase their work via exhibitions, live art installations, collaborations and public and private art projects.

A key distinction is that visual art often takes a broader storytelling approach, encompassing mediums such as painting, sculpture, digital media and large-scale installations, whereas fashion serves as a wearable canvas for cultural expression. However, both industries share a deep connection to heritage, identity, and storytelling.

What has your experience been like with navigating legal contracts? Do you have any tips for creatives?

Beyond fashion, GIM plays a key role in advocating for Indigenous rights, representation and economic inclusion in the creative industries.

GIM collaborates with governments, trade organisations, and industry bodies to create policies that support Indigenous creatives. Myself and the GIM team participate in international conferences, ensuring that First Nations perspectives shape industry standards. GIM also facilitates cultural collaborations between Indigenous creatives from different regions, fostering mutual learning and global recognition.

I believe that my leadership has helped redefine Indigenous representation in the fashion industry, creating an ecosystem where First Nations creatives thrive, innovate and inspire. By integrating cultural heritage with global market access, GIM ensures that Indigenous fashion is only just seen but is celebrated, respected and economically viable.

Where do you see GIM heading in the future?

Global Indigenous Management is shaping the future of First Nations fashion with its most ambitious project yet - the Global Indigenous Fashion and Arts Festival, set to take place in two years.

Building on years of success in international showcases, GIM plans to bring together First Nations designers, artists, performers and cultural leaders from around the world to participate in this multi-day festival. A key focus of the festival will be the Trade Expo for First Nations Businesses and High-impact runway shows spotlighting Indigenous designers and their collections.

The festival will serve as a launchpad for First Nations designers, artists and entrepreneurs a gateway to international markets, attracting buyers, investors, and global fashion influencers. It will reinforce the position of First Nations fashion as a key player in the multi-billion-dollar industry whilst promoting sustainable, ethical, and culturally responsible business practices.

As Tina Waru puts it: "Fashion is more than aesthetics; it’s a powerful tool for change, inclusivity, and economic empowerment. Through our work, we ensure that First Nations artists, designers and creatives have the opportunity to showcase their talents, tell their stories, and build successful careers and businesses on a global scale in this multi-billion-dollar industry. With the Global Indigenous Fashion and Arts Festival, GIM is not only amplifying Indigenous voices but also reshaping the global fashion landscape, ensuring that First Nations talent is recognised, celebrated, and economically empowered for generations to come.”

We’re grateful to Tina Waru for sharing her insights and experiences. Stay tuned for more conversations with GWA clients and friends who are shaping contemporary culture.