There's a real difference between "Aboriginal-style" clothing and clothing that actually puts money in Indigenous artists' and business owners' hands. If you're looking to buy ethically, here's what to check for, and a few brands worth knowing — including where Dreamtimez fits in.
How to Tell If a Brand Is the Real Deal
- Named artists, not "Aboriginal-inspired" prints. If a brand can't tell you which artist created a design, that's worth questioning.
- Ongoing royalties. A single upfront payment for a design isn't the same as an artist earning every time it sells.
- Indigenous Art Code membership. This is Australia's recognised ethical trading standard for businesses dealing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Signatories can be Indigenous-owned or non-Indigenous-owned businesses that trade fairly with artists.
- Indigenous ownership, where that matters to you. Some buyers specifically want to support Indigenous-owned businesses rather than Indigenous-designed products from non-Indigenous businesses — both exist, and it's worth knowing the difference before you buy.
Dreamtimez
Dreamtimez is a South Australian brand built around Aboriginal artist partnerships — fly net hats, homewares, ties, bags and cushions carrying licensed Indigenous artwork, with ongoing royalties paid to the artists and part proceeds from every hat sold going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Dreamtimez is a Code Signatory member of the Indigenous Art Code. It grew out of a long-running Adelaide art gallery relationship, so most of the artists featured have an ongoing, personal connection to the business rather than a one-off licensing deal.
What to Look For Beyond the Brand Name
Rather than a single "best" list (ethical Indigenous fashion is a genuinely broad and evolving space), the most useful thing you can do as a buyer is check the four points above for any brand before purchasing — including this one. Look up a brand's Indigenous Art Code status directly at indigenousartcode.org if you're ever unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Indigenous-owned and Indigenous Art Code certified?
Indigenous-owned means the business itself is majority owned by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. Indigenous Art Code membership means the business — Indigenous-owned or not — has committed to fair, transparent trade with Indigenous artists. They're separate things, and a genuinely ethical brand might be one, both, or neither depending on its structure.
Why does it matter if royalties are ongoing rather than one-off?
A one-off payment means the artist is paid once, regardless of how many times the design is reproduced or how well it sells afterward. Ongoing royalties mean the artist keeps earning from their own work for as long as it's in production — a much fairer arrangement, and the standard the Indigenous Art Code pushes for.
How can I check if a brand is really a Code Signatory?
Search the business by name directly on the Indigenous Art Code's member register at indigenousartcode.org/search. If they're not listed, that doesn't automatically mean they're unethical, but it does mean you're relying on their own claims rather than an independent standard.
See how Dreamtimez pays this out in practice in our Aboriginal Gift Guide, or browse the full range.