Sofitel Sydney partners with Ngali for Fashion Week

Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has announced an exclusive partnership with Indigenous fashion label Ngali, aligning a meet-and-greet event with the momentum of Australian Fashion Week.

The collaboration brings together designer Denni Francisco, Indigenous Fashion Projects, and Colleen Tighe-Johnson ahead of Tighe-Johnson’s first solo runway at AFW on May 14.

Key Points

The hotel confirmed the partnership this week, positioning the collaboration as a celebration of contemporary Indigenous design and cultural expression. The intimate event, hosted in partnership with Indigenous Fashion Projects and Colleen Tighe-Johnson, centres on Ngali’s storytelling through design and its focus on elevating Indigenous voices in fashion.

Ngali will share its distinctive approach to craftsmanship and cultural expression, with guests able to engage directly with Francisco to hear the inspiration and narratives behind the collection set for the Ngali runway at Australian Fashion Week. The meet-and-greet is designed to facilitate direct dialogue with creatives and media as AFW draws local and international attention.

“We’re grateful to Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour for hosting Ngali on the eve of our Australian Fashion Week runway, […] It’s a meaningful opportunity to come together, connect, and share the stories of our community, while celebrating and elevating Indigenous fashion and art.”

— Denni Francisco, Ngali

The announcement highlights Ngali’s presence during the week and aligns the hotel with a program that foregrounds innovation within Indigenous design. First Nations designer Denni Francisco is profiled as leading the label’s storytelling-led approach. The collaboration underscores a shared focus on community, creativity, and representation across the fashion sector.

Event format and participants

The event will be held at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Atelier by Sofitel. Organisers say it will bring together emerging creatives, fashion media, and culturally engaged guests for an evening dedicated to contemporary Indigenous design. The program features a panel with Francisco of Ngali, Tighe-Johnson of Buluuy Mirrii, and a guest from the IFP Pathways Program.

Guests will be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine before a Welcome to Country, reflecting the event’s cultural framework. The programme includes a two-course dining experience, positioning conversation and connection at the centre of the evening. Throughout the night, attendees will be invited to explore and interact with curated pieces from Ngali and other featured creatives, offering a tactile engagement with the stories embedded in each design.

The showcase coincides with the energy and influence of Australian Fashion Week, drawing together those involved in design, media, and community initiatives. According to the event outline, the gathering is set to “celebrate their connections” through an intimate dinner hosted at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour.

Colleen Tighe-Johnson’s Buluuy Mirrii is featured alongside Ngali. A supplied image caption notes Buluuy Mirrii ambassador Jahna Lugnan wearing Buluuy Mirrii on the New Generation runway at Australian Fashion Week 2025. The panel framing places Buluuy Mirrii and Ngali in dialogue with the IFP Pathways Program, spotlighting both established and emerging perspectives in Indigenous fashion.

Commitment to culture

The event also highlights the IFP Pathways Program, described as an initiative supporting the next generation of Indigenous talent within the fashion industry. Organisers say the program reinforces a shared commitment to creativity, mentorship, and meaningful representation, connecting designers with platforms that amplify their work.

Hotel leadership framed the partnership as a continuation of its cultural engagement strategy. The collaboration is presented as part of Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour’s broader support for the arts and its investment in experiences that reflect the city’s creative landscape.

“We are honoured to partner with Denni, Colleen and Indigenous Fashion Projects to create a platform that celebrates both innovation and cultural heritage,” Sofitel general manager Sam Panetta said.

“At Sofitel, we are passionate about curating experiences that connect our guests with art, design and community, and this event reflects that vision.”