Grace Lillian Lee
Grace Lillian Lee is an Australian designer and artist of Meriam Mer, Torres Strait Islander heritage whose label creates handwoven, sculptural fashion. In 2025 she became the first Indigenous designer to independently show a collection at Paris Couture Fashion Week.
| Heritage | Meriam Mer, Torres Strait Islander |
|---|---|
| Practice | Handwoven fashion and art |
| Paris Couture debut | July 2025 |
| Collection | The Guardians |
| Website | gracelillianlee.com |
Who is Grace Lillian Lee?
Grace Lillian Lee is a Meriam Mer woman with Torres Strait Islander roots and ancestry that also spans China and Europe. Her practice sits between fashion and art, centred on weaving knowledge passed down to her by Uncle Ken Thaiday and adapted into wearable pieces.
Design and positioning
Her garments combine handwoven techniques, laser cut acrylic beadwork and sculptural silhouettes. Signature themes include protection and storytelling, expressed through shields and armour like forms.
- Handwoven wearable sculpture
- Couture presentation pieces
- Collaborations with First Nations creatives and family members
Milestones
In 2024 she collaborated with Jean Paul Gaultier on his Fashion Freak Show at the Brisbane Fashion Festival. The Queensland Art Gallery of Modern Art acquired her solo exhibition The Dream Weaver: Guardians of Grace. In July 2025, during NAIDOC Week, she presented The Guardians, eight shields and armours, at 229LAB in Paris, becoming the first Indigenous designer to independently show at Paris Couture Fashion Week. The show began an artist residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts, supported by a Creative Australia scholarship.
Why it matters
Grace Lillian Lee is a leading voice in First Nations fashion design, bringing Torres Strait Islander craft and culture onto the international couture stage.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Grace Lillian Lee?
Grace Lillian Lee is an Australian designer and artist of Meriam Mer, Torres Strait Islander heritage known for handwoven, sculptural fashion.
Did Grace Lillian Lee show at Paris Couture Fashion Week?
Yes. In July 2025 she became the first Indigenous designer to independently present a collection at Paris Couture Fashion Week.