Mainie Australia: Where Dreamtime Meets Contemporary Design

Mainie is a distinctively Australian fashion and gift brand to covet and collect - an exquisite fusion of ancient Aboriginal Dreaming stories and contemporary luxury design that captivates discerning travellers, art lovers and style connoisseurs around the world.

Mainie’s collection features pure silk scarves, Australian Merino wool wraps and vegan-friendly Modal scarves, along with a range of handcrafted silk ties and pocket squares.

Every exquisite piece showcases authentic Aboriginal artworks created by women artists from the Central Desert and Far North Queensland regions of Australia.

Each artwork is ethically sourced through formal licensing agreements that ensure artists retain full copyright and receive royalties from every sale - empowering women, their families and communities while preserving cultural heritage for future generations.

Our Story

Mainie’s founder and creative director, Charmaine Saunders, is affectionately known as “Mainie” to her family and friends. A proud Gunggari Aboriginal woman, Charmaine is a direct descendant of Mary of the Maranoa, a revered matriarch whose spirit continues to guide the Gunggari People of south-western Queensland.

The Gunggari People have lived for thousands of years along the Maranoa River - the lifeblood of their Country. Their stories tell of the Mundagudda, the Rainbow Serpent, whose tracks shaped the rivers and waterholes and gave the people their songlines, language and stories - like Ilmargan, a traditional song that celebrates the power and spirit of the river.

Through Mainie, Charmaine honours her Gunggari heritage, sharing the beauty and depth of her culture with the world through wearable art.

Charmaine’s deep appreciation for Aboriginal fine arts grew from decades of living and working in remote communities across Queensland and the Northern Territory. Inspired by the strength, resilience and stories of the women artists she met, Charmaine co-founded Mainie in 2012 with her husband, Denis Keeffe.

Mainie is proudly Indigenous Australian-owned, Supply Nation Certified, and a longstanding member of the Indigenous Art Code - ensuring authenticity, integrity and ethical practice in every design.

Recognised for Ethical Luxury

Mainie has gained international recognition as a leader in ethical luxury fashion:

• Winner of the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards – First Nations Category, 2023
• Official supplier of Indigenous fashion to the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
• Appointed provider of official gifts and fashion accessories for the Australian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka

Mainie’s flagship stores are located in Cairns - at The Pier and the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal - with collections also stocked in leading cultural precincts and luxury retail destinations across Australia.

Mainie is a trusted partner for corporate uniform accessories and official gifts, proudly supplying major Australian businesses and government clients.

Our Vision

Mainie’s vision is clear and heartfelt: to empower Aboriginal women artists and their families, preserve cultural heritage, and share the beauty of First Nations stories with the world through ethical, sustainable and timeless fashion.

Every Mainie piece supports Aboriginal women, their families and their communities - ensuring their unbroken connections to their ancestral homelands and traditional culture continues to thrive.

Fashion With Purpose

• Every Mainie piece is designed with purpose and meaning - a celebration of art, culture and integrity.
• Every piece tells a story - carrying forward the world’s oldest living culture through Dreamtime designs.
• Every piece gives back - with royalties paid directly to the artist, supporting her family and community.
• Every piece is timeless - a wearable artwork to be cherished as a lasting heirloom.

Learn more at Mainie Australia