Bima Wear

Made on Tiwi Country Since 1969

Bima Wear was established in 1969 in Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst Island. It is one of Australia's longest-running Indigenous textile and fashion studios — proudly Tiwi-owned and operated. The studio began as a creative and cultural enterprise led by Tiwi women to support local employment and preserve cultural knowledge through design.

Today, Bima Wear continues to grow, with some of the founding women still contributing their time and experience in the studio. Their leadership and cultural knowledge remain central to everything we create.

Cultural Fashion with Deep Roots

Every garment at Bima Wear is hand-printed and sewn in our island studio. Each design is an expression of Tiwi identity and storytelling, passed through generations and reimagined in wearable form.

Bima Wear features:

• Bold, geometric prints inspired by Jilamara (ceremonial body painting) and other traditional Tiwi patterns

• Motifs that reflect Tiwi country, bush foods, spirits, and seasons

• A colour palette drawn from traditional ochres – red, yellow, white, and black – combined with contemporary tones

• The long, bright skirts worn every day by Tiwi women – a style that embodies pride, movement, and community spirit

Each item is a work of cultural art, grounded in place and made with care.

Wear What Matters

Purchasing Bima Wear supports:

• Indigenous women’s enterprise

• Local Tiwi employment and cultural continuity

• Ethically made fashion, 100% crafted on Tiwi land

These garments are more than clothing — they are a connection to people, land, and culture.