Courtney Barnett is another artist I look up to. We got to work together and wrote a song, which was a pinch-me moment. Seeing a black woman succeed in the mainstream was very empowering. She is incredible – a beautiful black woman who inspired me as a teenager. Who are among your other role models, and why? I am a big fan of First Nations model and Mob in Fashion advocate Nathan McGuire. She knew that as a young black kid it was important that I knew how to stand up for myself.” “I always have been pretty good at advocating for myself and it’s something that Mum taught me from a very young age. Years down the track I had the chance to work with her again, and now she is across everything I do fashion-wise. I felt beautiful in the clothes she chose for me and loved every minute of the process. I was a poor struggling musician who couldn’t afford a stylist and we did a photo shoot in a Melbourne warehouse together. I first worked with Karinda when I was 17. How did that friendship form? I have always had my own style and sense of style. You work very closely with your stylist, Karinda Mutabazi. I also love HoMie in Fitzroy, especially what they do as a not-for-profit, giving back to community. I also love the custom designs by Melbourne label Sabatucci – they create big beautiful bows which I love to wear. I go to Gammin Threads for a parody power shirt – they make the funniest T-shirts – and Nungala Creative is another go-to. Having a front-facing role like mine will help, I hope.ĭo you have a favourite Australian fashion designer right now? I love First Nations label Maara Collective and always feel great in their power suits. ![]() There has been a lot of progress in fashion overall, but there is still a lot of under-representation and lack of diversity. To bring my voice to the fashion realm is another great step. This has been a good year for conversations around diversity for First Nations people. What does being part of Fashion Week mean to you? It’s quite an important moment for me, and I am excited to be involved. You recently took part in a Maybelline New York foundation campaign on diverse skin tones and now you’re an ambassador for Melbourne Fashion Week. I am very lucky to have friends who have my back and who are good at saying, “Thelma, don’t hang out with that person!” I think I have become good at weeding out those sorts of people who aren’t genuine. How easy is it to maintain friendships or make new friends? I am lucky to have the most amazing friends and family around me. I am now sharing with more people than I used to, and it’s all about trying to create those boundaries for myself. Sometimes I feel awkward using social media such as Instagram – deciding what parts of me I want to share with my followers. But fame has made me use the internet differently to what I would have done before. Most of the time people are nice and come up to say hi. Sometimes I get anxious and feel nervous about losing that anonymity. I try not to think about it too much! I have noticed a small difference recently in terms of people recognising me when I am out. To be recognised still makes me feel weird. How have fame and recognition changed your life? It feels overwhelming, to be honest. It came from a reflective place that wasn’t so agitated. My new EP, Meanjin, was written while sitting on my balcony looking at the river at home in Brisbane during the pandemic. When I wrote Better in Blak there was a lot of angst I wanted to get out. We are all on our own life journey but I think as I have grown up, I have come to accept myself a lot more. How have you grown since your debut album Better in Blak came out in 2019? I’m definitely much calmer than I used to be. ![]() At 27, Thelma finds herself at a stage in her career where she has learnt to prioritise her mental health and wellbeing. See all 14 stories.Ī fter winning the inaugural Triple J Unearthed National Indigenous Award in 2012, Thelma Plum went on to release her debut album Better in Blak in 2019, quickly becoming one of the country’s most successful artists. This story is part of the September 11 Edition of Sunday Life.
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