Hello from Mainie
Hello,
I’m Charmaine Saunders, although my friends and family know me as Mainie.
I am the founder of Mainie Australia, an ethical and sustainable First Nations fashion brand.
The Mainie story is deeply rooted in my Aboriginal heritage. As a proud descendant of the Gunggari people from the Maranoa River region in South Western Queensland, my passion for Aboriginal fine arts grew through many years of living and working in remote Aboriginal communities in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Founded in 2012 as a small, family-owned venture, Mainie aspires to be a global brand that is recognised as a tangible and meaningful celebration of the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
The Mainie Team includes my husband, Denis Keeffe, and our daughter-in-law, Rebecca Nelson.
From the outset, our mission has been to support Aboriginal women artists by helping them to earn an independent income from their work while preserving their unique cultural heritage for future generations.
Every Mainie is designed to capture the hearts and minds of stylish travellers and discerning fashion lovers around the world.
Each piece we create tells an ancient Dreamtime story, bringing new life to age-old narratives that have been passed down through many generations over tens of thousands of years.
The Mainie Silk Scarf Collection Featuring Authentic Aboriginal Dreamtime Designs Created By Traditional Warlpiri Women Artists
Our stunning collection includes beautifully handcrafted silk scarves, silk kaftan tops, Australian Merino wool scarves, and vegan-friendly scarves. Every exquisite piece in the Mainie collection is lovingly designed to feature authentic Aboriginal artworks by women artists from remote Central Desert communities and the Far North Queensland region.
Our commitment to ethical fashion ensures that every Mainie we create gives back to the artist who designed the original artwork, empowering her, her family and her community. As an Indigenous Art Code-approved Dealer Member, we ensure that the Aboriginal artists whose works adorn our fashion pieces receive fair compensation and proper recognition for their talent.
Sustainability is at the core of our brand. We craft our products using carefully sourced, environmentally safe, naturally derived materials, including luxurious pure silk and the finest Woolmark-certified Australian Merino wool. We also offer vegan-friendly Modal scarves.
Our production processes are designed to minimise waste and reduce our environmental footprint.
Photo Courtesy Of Warlukurlangu Artists
Mainie Australia is more than just a fashion brand - it is a testament to the artisan traditions and exceptional creativity of Aboriginal women artists.
When you wear a Mainie, you are not just showcasing a piece of authentic Aboriginal art; you are sharing a time-honoured Dreamtime story, born from Australia’s 60,000-year-old Indigenous cultural heritage.
Every Mainie wearable art piece is destined to become a cherished heirloom, treasured for generations to come.
The Mainie team proudly stands behind our unique melding of authentic Aboriginal art and luxurious fashion.
We consistently strive to excel in everything we do.
Thank you for joining us on our journey.
