GALI Swimwear, a brand that celebrates Australia’s First Nations culture, is making waves this summer with its First Nations wearable art designs. These exclusive creations are the perfect blend of cultural heritage and contemporary fashion, ready to grace beaches around the world.
Founded by David Leslie, a proud Kamilaroi Aboriginal man, GALI Swimwear aims to tell stories, spark conversations, and create connections through its premium, sustainable men’s swimwear. David, who is also gay and has been a volunteer surf lifesaver with the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club for the past eight years, brings a unique perspective and commitment to promoting inclusivity and cultural pride.
“At GALI Swimwear, we believe that every piece of swimwear should tell a story and foster a connection,” said David Leslie, founder of GALI Swimwear. “Our designs encapsulate the vital elements of our environment, and we are honored to feature artworks that embody these connections.”
GALI Swimwear has proudly showcased its collections at prestigious fashion events such as Australian Fashion Week, Melbourne Fashion Festival, and Miami Swim & Resort Week, highlighting its commitment to both high fashion and cultural storytelling on a global stage.
GALI Swimwear is proud to collaborate with artists who infuse their unique perspectives into each design. Among them is Jake Simon, a renowned digital artist and proud Worimi-Biripi man, known for his contemporary approach to traditional art language.
Simon’s work has adorned high-profile brands, including Calvin Klein’s Pride capsule in 2023. His contributions to GALI Swimwear continue to reflect his proud heritage and innovative artistic vision.
GALI Swimwear is committed to ethical practices and sustainability. Each piece is crafted in Australia, and artists receive royalties for their designs. Additionally, $1 from every purchase is donated to community projects, supporting the communities that inspire the brand.
The new collection is now available on their website. They invite you to explore the full range and discover the stories woven into each piece.
Art Work Stories
Lukarrara: This Dreaming is associated with a place called Jaralypari, north of Yuendumu.
‘Lukarrara’ [desert fringe-rush] is a grass with an edible seed. The seeds are traditionally ground on a ‘ngatinyanu’ [large stone] with a ‘ngalikirri’ [smaller stone] to make flour.
This flour is mixed with ‘ngapa’ [water] to make damper cakes, which are cooked and eaten.
In Traditional Warlpiri paintings, iconography is used to represent the Jukurrpa [Dreaming]. In Pauline’s painting, ‘U’ shapes can depict the Karnta [women] collecting ‘lukarrara’. Straight lines are used to portray seeds that fall to the ground, which are collected by women using their ‘parrajas’ [wooden food carriers] and ‘karlangu’ [digging sticks].
Banma: This artwork is associated with the land, sea, and skies of the Worimi Aboriginal people on the east coast of Australia. In Aboriginal culture, the skyscape was believed to be a reflection of the land and waterways that fell beneath it.
In this artwork, the vibrant ‘waves’ of color are symbolic of the connection between the aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial plains. The bright purples, blues, and greens represent the balanced peace and tranquility associated with this connection. The shifting thickness of each wave speaks to the constant ebbs and flows of energy between Worimi country and the heavens.
Barrangaa “This artwork is associated with the land, sea, and skies of the Worimi Aboriginal people on the east coast of Australia. In Aboriginal culture, the skyscape was believed to be a reflection of the land and waterways that fell beneath it.”
In this artwork, the vibrant ‘waves’ of color are symbolic of the connection between the aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial plains. The cheerful yellows, pinks, oranges, and reds are reflective of this ever-changing connection as the sun in the afternoon sky sets for the
evening. The shifting thickness of each wave speaks to the constant ebbs and flows of energy between Worimi country and the heavens.
Ngatjung “This artwork is associated with the land, sea, and skies of the Worimi Aboriginal people on the east coast of Australia. In Aboriginal culture, the skyscape was believed to be a reflection of the land and waterways that fell beneath it.”
In this artwork, the vibrant ‘waves’ of color are symbolic of the connection between the aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial plains. The shades of blue and white represent this
ever-changing connection, which is mirrored in the streams of fresh waters that nourish both the Worimi lands and people. The shifting thickness of each wave speaks to the constant ebbs and flows of energy between Worimi country and the heavens.
Explore the new collection and learn more about GALI Swimwear at www.galiswimwear.com.au.
