A Creative Collaboration With Clair Helen

Birkenstock Australia is proud to collaborate with Clair Helen, a Tiwi designer and founder of her namesake label. Her vibrant work is inspired by the landscapes, stories, and traditions of her Tiwi heritage and upbringing on Larrakia land.

Through this partnership, Clair has reimagined our Super Birkis as hand-painted pieces that reflect her deep connection to Country.

From these unique artworks, we selected our favourite design to create a limited-edition tote bag, available as a gift with purchase for a limited time, exclusively at our flagship stores in Melbourne and Sydney.* 

Read on for our interview with Clair, where she shares insights into her creative journey and the inspiration behind this project.


Hi Clair! We'd love to get to know you better. Can you share a bit about your upbringing and how your Tiwi heritage influenced your creative journey? 

I had a great upbringing on Larrakia Country in Darwin, surrounded by lots of family and Tiwi art. Everyone would sing, dance, and share stories. My mother and aunties would collect pandana leaves, strip them, dye them, and then weave them into baskets. I was always drawing and painting, and when we got cable TV, I discovered the fashion channel. I'd watch runway after runway, fascinated by the designs and collections. 


What motivated you to pursue fashion as a career?

My early love for art and cultural influences led me to move to Sydney, where I received a scholarship through the first Indigenous Fashion Week and studied at the Whitehouse Institute of Design. It still feels surreal to reflect on everything I've achieved—from moving to Sydney to New York to creating my own fashion line.


We loved seeing your 'Veins' collection styled with Birkenstock Super Birkis at MFW in 2023. What drew you to collaborate with Birkenstock following that experience? 

My 'Veins' collection looked amazing with the Super Birkis at MFW. I was so happy to see the styling come to life on the runway. It took me back to when I graduated from the Whitehouse Institute of Design and interned with a New York shoe company called The Jibs Life, where I developed a passion for shoes and wearability. I've always been a fan of Birkenstock—my friends always rave about their next-level comfort—so seeing them on the runway was a pinch-me moment. I loved the colours and how they worked with my designs. It made me think about collaborating with Birkenstock someday, and now it's finally happened.


Could you walk us through your creative process for this collaboration?

Like most of my work, it's based on landscapes and symbolises my Northern Territory upbringing. I remember always admiring the waterways and fields of grass around me. My favourite time of year was during bush holidays on the Tiwi Islands, where we'd go camping and hunting with family. I'd picture those trips and how happy we were—being out there, away from the fast-paced life, and just present with each other.

 
What story did you want the Super Birkis and tote bags to tell?

Each shoe tells a story of different parts of that journey, like driving through the beautiful trees until we finally arrive at the beach where my maningawu's (grandmother's) country is. When we arrive, we always greet our ancestors, saying 'hello' and telling them who our grandparents are. I wanted to embody that journey within these shoes as if you were walking in them. Then Birkenstock chose their favourite design and turned it into the tote. I was so happy with how it turned out!


You've spoken a lot about your upbringing and the strong influence of Tiwi culture in your early art. How have these roots continued to shape your work as a designer today?  

Growing up, I was constantly around family speaking in Tiwi and teaching me our traditions. One of my biggest inspirations was my uncle, Harold Porkilari—a talented Tiwi painter who sold his work internationally. He'd bring his beautiful, intricate designs home on bark or carved animals, and I remember feeling so proud. I guess that was the beginning of my journey into art and design. It was always instilled in me, learning since I was young. I've always felt proud of my culture and our values, and I still want to share that with the world. 


Your work often celebrates the beauty of the land and its stories. How have your travels to the Tiwi Islands influenced the aesthetic elements in your designs? 

Growing up, I'd travel by plane to the Tiwi Islands for school holidays or weekends to visit family, and I remember being in awe of the escarpment and terrain from high above. Now, I equally love travelling by boat because the view is just as stunning. It was always an art in itself—seeing the landscape's lines, colours, and shapes coming together.


You've spoken before about the need for more First Nations people in permanent creative roles. From your perspective, how can the industry better support First Nations creatives? 

This is a very important question, and I don't have all the answers, but I think businesses could benefit from cultural awareness training. It should include an in-depth section that explains the barriers Indigenous people face. I've found that some First Nations people find it difficult to secure long-term work due to stereotypes and discrimination, which affects their chances of landing permanent positions in the first place.


What advice would you give aspiring First Nations designers? How can they navigate the industry while staying true to their stories and creative vision? 

I think just go for it. If you have a passion and are interested, take that course or start educating yourself—you can never stop learning and growing. All you need to do is start. Stay true to yourself by learning the rules of fashion so you can break them—that's when you create something truly unique. Fashion is a great vessel for storytelling and creating change. You can take advice from others but stay true to yourself and your ideas.  

*Limited-edition tote bags are available exclusively at these boutiques:

• Birkenstock Sydney City – 250 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW
• Birkenstock St Collins Lane – 297 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
• Birkenstock Clifton Hill – 113–115 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill, VIC

Offer valid while stocks last.