Mainie Australia: Who We Are, What We Do, and Why We Do It
Who We Are
Founded in 2012, Mainie Australia is a Cairns-based, Indigenous Australian-owned fashion company.
Mainie is dedicated to showcasing authentic Aboriginal art designs on luxurious, ethically sourced textiles.
What began as a modest regional Queensland company has steadily grown into a leading Australian brand with a strong presence in national retail outlets and international markets.
Operated since its launch by Charmaine Saunders, a Gunggari Aboriginal woman and her husband, Denis Keeffe, Mainie is deeply committed to preserving and promoting Aboriginal cultural heritage through high-quality fashion and gift products.
Mainie is a unique melding of authentic Aboriginal art and luxurious fashion
What We Do
Mainie merges ancient Indigenous Australian artistry with artisan textile making traditions to create a distinctively Australian fashion and gift brand.
Mainie works closely with Warlpiri Aboriginal women artists from the Tanami Desert region of Central Australia and contemporary First Nations artists from North Queensland to produce stunning silk and wool scarves and other luxury fashion items that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Mainie’s exquisite wearable art pieces are crafted from sustainable, natural materials like pure silk, the finest Woolmark-certified Australian Merino wool and vegan-friendly Modal.
Each verified Aboriginal art design acquired by Mainie is ethically reproduced under formal licensing agreements in accordance with the Indigenous Art Code. This ensures that the artists retain the copyright to their original works and receive direct royalty payments.
The Mainie collection is designed to reflect the rich, vibrant colours of Australia’s unique natural environment and the deep cultural significance of our Indigenous heritage.
Mainie is an Indigneous Art Code Approved Dealer Member
Why We Do It
At Mainie, we are driven by a commitment to Fair Trade ethics and supporting the economic empowerment of Aboriginal women artists.
Our mission is to bring the stories and traditions of the world’s oldest continuous living culture to discerning and conscientious consumers through fashion.
Each piece we create is not just a stylish fashion accessory but also a celebration of Australia’s 60,000-year-old Indigenous cultural heritage.
By partnering with Aboriginal-owned arts centres and First Nations artists, we ensure that all works featured on our products are ethically acquired and that the artists’ cultural contributions are honoured and preserved.
Through our work at Mainie, we aim to bridge the gap between ancient traditions and modern fashion, offering our valued customers a range of premium quality pieces that are as timeless as the stories they tell.
Learn more about the Mainie story at www.mainie.com.au
