About
Since its establishment in 2014, AARLI has endeavoured to build its own unique aesthetic through the use of upcycling remnant textiles/products, contemporary urban prints, and limited-edition deadstock apparel.
In 2018, we have teamed up with Tiwi Island Fashion Designer Clair Helen to develop Deadly Apparel + custom Ecouture gowns for red carpet.
The AARLI ambassador is independent and confident who is stylish while simultaneously choosing fashion with a conscience.
We are proudly Australian First Nations owned and operated business.
The Designer
TJ Cowlishaw’s family kinship lies with Nyikina people and paternal connections are with Bardi and Nyul Nyul people on the Dampier Peninsular, WA. (Grandmother's ancestry - Family name: Hunter). She is also a descended from the Chinese Pirates of Shanghai (Grandfather's ancestry - Family name: Jan).
TJ was born in Darwin, NT but raised and grew up in many nations from Darwin (Larrakia) , Broome (Yawuru) and Perth (Noongar).
Since childhood, her mother has always shown the importance of working grass roots, knowing your culture and being proud of self identity. Her label is called AARLI, which in Bardi language means fish.The naming was influenced by her grandmother - Rosemarie Jan.
My mother, Sarina Jan said " Teagan always had an interest in fashion from an early age. From playing dress up in my vintage clothes to modelling with the community kids when I was coordinating fashion events with iconic designers such Linda Jackson + Lenore Dempski... I was always getting Teagan involved, cause I knew that she was going to be working in the fashion industry one day."
TJ is a Contemporary Visual Artist and with a background in Events Management. Her passion for street style fashion from around the world have influenced her to create sustainable and upcycled garments and accessories to suit the current vibe of reuse and recycle, an idea she embraced to pay homage to her ancient Indigenous roots.