Grace Lillian Lee Makes History with “The Guardians” at Paris Couture Fashion Week supported by Epson
Announcement posted by Epson Australia 07 Jul 2025
This week, acclaimed artist and designer Grace Lillian Lee will present her debut couture collection The Guardians at 229LAB in the Marais district of Paris during Paris Couture Fashion Week. This exclusive, invitation-only showcase marks an historic milestone for both Australian fashion and First Nations representation on the global stage. As with Lee's previous collection The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace, The Guardians is proudly supported by her digital print and projection partner Epson Australia.
Woven sculptures by Grace Lillian Lee that feature in "The Guardians" at Paris Couture Fashion Week
According to available records, Grace will be the first Indigenous Australian woman — and the first Torres Strait Islander — to independently showcase a collection during Paris Couture Fashion Week.
While designers such as Letticia Shaw (Ticia Designs) have participated in collective platforms like Flying Solo, Grace's solo presentation aligns with the official haute couture calendar, setting a bold new precedent.
The Guardians builds on Grace's recent solo exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace — recently acquired by QAGOMA — and features sculptural couture works that fuse art, fashion, ceremony, and ancestral storytelling. The garments incorporate handwoven techniques, laser-cut acrylic beading, and bold silhouettes, honouring Grace's lineage across the Torres Strait, China, and Europe.
Grace Lillian Lee's 'The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace exhibition - Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane Festival 2024
Taking place during NAIDOC Week, the event is a powerful celebration of Indigenous creativity, sovereignty, and global cultural leadership. It is supported by Jean Paul Gaultier's team, underscoring its significance within the haute couture community.
The showcase also marks the beginning of Grace's artist residency at Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, made possible through a Creative Australia scholarship. She is joined by eight First Nations creatives and family members, who will contribute to the storytelling and performance of the show.
With The Guardians, Grace Lillian Lee presents more than fashion—she offers a living cultural legacy.
(l-r) Grace Lillian Lee and Epson A/NZ MD, Craig Heckenberg
Lee said, "This exclusive showcase is more than a runway — it's a historic celebration of culture, identity, and resilience. From collaborating with Jean Paul Gaultier to receiving my Honorary Doctorate, every moment has led to this. The Guardians is a tribute to my ancestors and a declaration of First Nations excellence on couture's global stage. I am proud, humbled, and deeply grateful to my family, team, and community who make the impossible possible. A special thank you also to Epson for their kind and continued support."
Showcase Details
Title: The Guardians
Date: 7 July -10 July 2025
Location: 229 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris, France
Ends
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Epson New Zealand offers an extensive array of award-winning image capture and image output products for the commercial, industrial, consumer, business, photography and graphic arts markets, and is also a leading supplier of value-added point-of-sale (POS) solutions for the retail market. Epson is a market leader in New Zealand, Australia and worldwide in sales of projectors for the home, office and education. Epson New Zealand is headquartered in Auckland and is a branch of Epson Australia Pty Limited, a subsidiary of the Epson Group headquartered in Japan.
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