BULUUY MIRRII | RETURN TO COUNTRY

Friday 13 November  6pm - 9pm

From international runways back to Gamilaraay Country!

Join celebrated First Nations designer Colleen Tighe-Johnson for a special evening of fashion, culture and storytelling at Tamworth Regional Gallery.
Experience three stunning runway showcases featuring local models, live entertainment and beautiful designs celebrating culture, creativity and connection to Country.

Buluuy Mirri - Return to Country
📅 Friday 13 November 2026
🕕 6pm–9pm
📍 Tamworth Regional Gallery
🎟️ Tickets $65 | Limited seats available

Come celebrate this special homecoming with us!

About the Artist:

Colleen Tighe-Johnson

Buluuy Mirrii (Black Star)

Gomeroi fashion designer Colleen Tighe-Johnson draws on the spirit of her ancestors to bring Gomeroi Dreaming stories to life through her designs. Her label, Buluuy Mirrii, meaning "Black Star" in the Gamilaraay language, has been showcased on runways at Australian Fashion Week 2025, Melbourne Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week: Flying Solo. This year, she had the prestigious honour of opening Australian Fashion Week with her latest collection, “Love from Gamilaraay,” marking a significant career highlight.
Colleen is committed to embedding cultural storytelling in her work by printing commissioned Gomeroi artworks on luxury fabrics, transforming them into unique garments for her runways.

Buluuy Mirrii officially opened this year’s Australian Fashion Week on 11 May at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney. As the program's first runway presentation, the show will celebrate First Nations art, fashion, and culture on a global stage. Designer Colleen will present her new collection, Love from Gamilaraay — a heartfelt celebration of connection, culture, family, songlines, and the enduring strength of the Gomeroi people.

The collection, opening the official program at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia on 11 May, is more than a runway show — it is a celebration of the Gamilaraay language, land, waterways, skyways, matriarchs, and community. A story of remembrance, strength, beauty, and love for our people.

The Label’s Social Impact

Buluuy Mirrii also operates as a social enterprise through its Youth Development Program. This initiative offers mentoring, cultural development, self-esteem-building, and fashion-industry training for Aboriginal youth in Tamworth and Moree.

Colleen, drawing on her background in education and deep community knowledge, has designed the program to meet young people where they are. Local mentors teach life skills and cultural knowledge, while fashion runway experiences help participants build confidence, pride, and self-esteem.

Over the past ten years, the program has successfully guided Aboriginal youth away from negative life choices and reduced risks such as unemployment, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other related challenges. Several local young models have won Indigenous model searches and have travelled with Colleen to national and international runways.

Media and Links
Website-  https://buluuymirrii.com.au/
Instagram- buluuymirrii
Facebook-  buluuymirrii

If you have any question about this event please contact the friendly Gallery Staff email: gallery@tamworth.nsw.gov.au or phone: 6767 5247 or purchase a ticket -via Humanitix - https://events.humanitix.com/buluuy-mirrii-return-to-country-fashion-showcase

The Tamworth Regional Gallery offers free and accessible parking - located behind the building, accessed via Peel or Hill St. 

Images 

1. Latahlia Hickling (Blue) image from AFW 25 Women's Business
2. Billie Jean (orange) from Love from Gamilaraay AFW 26