Denni Francisco didn’t enter the fashion world because of the glitz and glamour promised on television, but rather the Ngali founder felt compelled to support the First Nation community.
She grew up in remote New South Wales, on Wiradjuri land, before relocating to Melbourne with her single mother.
Despite growing up in what is now, arguably, Australia’s most fashionable city, Denni can’t quite pinpoint the moment that pushed her towards the elusive world of fashion. But unattainable red flare pants might have had something to do with it.
She was just 14-years-old at the time.
Her leap into clothing design happened many years later when she began making clothes for her three-year-old daughter. Neighbours and friends alike then asked for clothing, and soon enough, her first business, Billiecart Clothing, took off.
“[It] became a fairly large business in a very short period of time,” Denni reflects with The Weekly. “It was like direct selling; taking clothing to the consumers so that mothers could work around their children.”
“Unfortunately, the business didn’t survive.”
After a short stint in corporate business, missing her creativity, Denni founded Ngali in 2018.
“I thought [Ngali] could be a soft entry point for people to learn more about who we are as First Nations. So, celebrate creativity and support artists living in remote regions of Australia,” she shares.
“I love learning. Education is a really important part, and that’s another reason why, through Ngali, we support the Dot Com Mob through B1G1 for our kids’ education in remote areas.”
Ngali has supported the B1G1 Business for Good initiative for almost four years, helping provide IT and literacy resources for young people in remote Aboriginal communities.
For each collection, Ngali works intimately with Indigenous artists. With every purchase, the artist receives royalties.
“With the permission of the artist, we work with one of their paintings. It might be that we only take a very small part of a painting, and then translate that into a fabric print,” she explains.
“But the good thing about this is that the artist’s story is protected, which is always really important. Then, the translation of that artwork can form another passive income stream.”
The story behind each collection reveals itself over time. But there was one collection, Mingaan, specifically designed around her older sister.
“She was the person that I loved and looked up to. So, I dedicated that collection to her, and she was in the presence of it, always,” Denni shares.
“Then, after that, we lost her. I was so comforted that I had done that with her.”
Many collections have come and gone since, each with varying intentions. But the purpose behind Denni’s brand remains clear: culture, reflection, and purpose.
On May 15, Denni presented her latest collection at Australian Fashion Week in the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, where the iconic Sydney Harbour dazzles in the background.
“Wander with Wonder is about not forgetting about all the amazing beauty of our country, and that there are places to go that are quiet, filling our hearts and souls.
“In the Wiradjuri language, there’s a word, Yingayamarra. It translates to being respectful, walking softly, being considerate, and slow listening. That’s all at the heart of Wander with Wonder; the flow of the silks, the ease of movement, and the gentleness and quietness that you experience on country.
“It’s just a reminder to be conscious of the business and craziness of the world we exist in.”
