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The Cultural Fashion Showcase 2025
Diva Headwraps is humbled and honoured to have been invited by The Multicultural Community Connect Queensland Inc. to showcase her designs as part of the Cultural Fashion Showcase at its annual event Reimagining Multicultural Belonging & Innovation.
Venue: Brisbane City Hall
Partners: Living Colours Magazine, Ethnobility, Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland
Stylist/Models: The Bella Styling Co.
Photography: Firemark Photomedia and Lucid Dreams Imagery
Date: Sunday 3rd August 2025
Model: ADHIEU THON/headwrap LISSA (new - upload coming soon)
Model: AMELIA/headwrap SORAYA
Model: MARIA BRERETON/headwrap GUGU
Model: TENIELLE/headwrap MALIKAH
Demi headwrap: SHIREEN (new - upload coming soon)
Model: DORIS LI/headwrap AVA
Headwrap NETTIE
Headwraps AVA and MALIKAH
Ten Years : Of headwrap styling magic
“Headwrap (noun) - a crown for your crown”
The excitement is real! Left to right : Liezl, Anna, Gianne, Gracey and Daniela. Charmaine is in the middle.
I’ve always wanted to do a concept photoshoot. So what better time to bring my vison to life to celebrate TEN YEARS of crowning queens locally, nationwide and globally.
I had FOUR concepts in mind and just under THREE hours to get the results I was after.
Selecting the group was a dream as I already knew who I wanted on my team. In front of the camera I chose Daniela and Gracey who both have had my back since I established Diva Headwraps in 2014 - these two have appeared in many of my photoshoots - their natural poise and confidence in front of the camera is undenialble.
Gianne has such a commanding presence about her and I’ve always wanted to have her on board for one of my photoshoots.
I met Anna at one of my market days. I was struck by her engaging personality and vowed to invite her on board for my next photoshoot.
Liezl was born in Cape Town, South Africa. We met at an event and were drawn to each other’s strong accents, an instant bond was formed. Liezl was ecstatic when I invited her to join the team.
This time, I had the help of my daughter Nadiah as creative assistant. Her expert advice and ‘second pair of eyes’ was crucial to the success and timing of this celebratory and landmark photoshoot.
A photographer who is able to capture the essence of my concepts and someone who I’ve worked with on numerous photoshoots, is Janna. Because of her vast experience working with other creatives, Janna is able to add that extra flavour to the final outcome.
My team was complete and I was super excited to proceed. The results? Well, I invite you to scroll down and let the images speak for themselves.
Gianne (L) wears merino wool headwrap Purple Reign Flow while Daniela (R) wears Nakeisha (sold out).
Concept : Afternoon cocktails with Gianne and Daniela.
Location : New Farm Park Riverwalk and bikeway.
Mood board : Chic dresses, handbags and heels.
Look-book : Once I had received images of the dresses the divas chose, I selected each headwrap to team and style accordingly.
Gianne chose a bright orange and purple maxi dress that she teamed with flat sandals and a woven straw bag. Daniela chose a tangerine, one-shoulder mini dress that she teamed with pink sandals and a pink handbag. Earrings were from their personal collections.
Left to right : Liezl wears merino wool headwrap TURQUOISE FLOW ; Gracey wears cotton headwrap REVERIE ; Anna wears another of my merino wool headwraps MAGENTA FLOW.
Concept : A casual meet up with friends with Liezl, Gracey and Anna.
Location : New Farm Park and surrounds.
Mood board : Black leggings and ripped jeans, flat sandals.
Look-book : I opted to use t-shirts from my collection that I teamed with my limited edition earring designs. I chose two merino wool headwraps plus one cotton headwrap that complimented the colour combination in each of my t-shirts.
Liezl and Gracey each chose black leggings while Anna chose a light blue ripped jeans.
Concept : Let’s celebrate with Daniela, Liezl, Gianne, Anna and Gracey.
Location : New Farm Park and surrounds.
Mood board : All white.
Look-book : Gianne was the anchor so she had to wear a bright headwrap. The others wore colour combinations from my monochrome headwrap collections. A sparkling non-alcoholic beverage tied the concept together very nicely and added to the overall feeling of celebrating.
Daniela chose an oversized shirt that she cinched at the waist with a belt ; Liezl chose a white jeans and oversized white shirt ; Gianne, Anna and Gracey all chose dresses. Heels and flat sandals completed the look.
Concept : Wild card with Daniela, Liezl, Gianne, Anna and Gracey.
Location : New Farm Park and surrounds.
Mood board : Choose any outfit from your personal wardrobe, casual or chic.
Look-book : Gianne chose a mustard mazi dress ; Liezl went for a casual denim look ; Daniela teamed her black and white shorts with a bright green t-shirt ; Gracey chose a boyfriend jeans with a baggy white shirt while Anna opted for a plisse dress in shades of blue.
This concept was a challenge because of the very individual wardrobe selections. I was super excited to explore the designs that would offset each outfit and still compliment the overall outcome.
Sisterhood circle.
We managed to wrap up the photoshoot in under three hours with enough time to have a debrief over brunch and drinks.
Judging from the smiles and genuine excitement, each and every one of us had fun, fun and more fun!
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank each of you who has supported my brand through your purchases from my store over these ten years.
I look forward to posting your orders!
Paint and Sip : a journey with African art
“Art enables us to find ourselves and loose ourselves at the same time”
Meeanjin held its very first African paint and sip event recently that was organised by Bomoko Women Events. Not only was Diva Headwraps invited to do a headwrap demonstration, but also to participate in the painting class alongside a tribe of queens. These images capture the very essence of this immensely fulfilling afternoon!
Participants were encouraged to choose from a selection of bright acrylic paints and texture pens.
Listening attentively as Anna, our workshop facilitator, instructs us on what to do.
Ellie wearing one of my demi headwrap designs while contemplating her colour palette.
Totally immersed in creating while my daughter spins some rad tunes in the background.
Queens wearing headwraps from my tie-dye and cotton collections.
Anna is a digital artist and the founder of Bomoko Women Events. She was also our workshop facilitator. These are a few of her original digital prints that were on display at the event. Anna can be contacted on IG (see link) for purchases.
Mighty pleased with my effort. What an uplifting afternoon!
Forever a lover of books, I simply had to buy a copy of Chi Mary Kalu’s children’s book called AFRICA DAY which could be purchased at the event. The author also signed my copy.
These two queens look mighty pleased with their achievements.
I hope you enjoyed reading my blog just as much as I enjoyed my first African paint and sip event.
Introducing : Zillah Douglas
“Do not try to save the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself to this world
so worth of rescue.”
Featured headwrap - Kiara
Like so very many small businesses, the pandemic did have a major impact on networking which plays an integral part in my marketing. As a result, I was compelled to cancel my headwrap workshops until further notice. I was ecstatic when just recently WOW Australia invited me to run a workshop for their staff.
I was super excited to finally get out there and to be given the opportunity to show my sisters how to feel empowered by wearing a Diva Headwraps crown! The energy in the room was palpable as we worked our way through the various headwrap styles. I felt alive again to be amongst women who were self-assured, unpretentious and so enthusiastic to participate in my workshop.
Zillah was one of those attendees.
Her exuberance was obvious as was her eagerness to learn. She never became flustered and approached the styling techniques with a calm demeanor. I felt comfortable enough to approach Zillah afterward and to invite her to join one of my photoshoots.
Featured headwrap - Nia
As is usual with new brand ambassadors, I asked Zillah to give us the lowdown on how she navigates life. Here’s what she had to say in answer to my questions.
THREE things about myself: I am named after my Great Grandmother Zillah. Recently I visited the birth place of her Mother Penerope ‘Rotuma Island’. It was my first time on the island. Whilst there I learned how to prepare ‘Taroro’ a traditional dish of fermented coconut. I love to cook.
Who do you admire the most: My Grandmother Flora for her generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness, authenticity and fun loving, wicked sense of humour.
Favourite colour: All the colours of the ocean.
Favourite book: There are so many it’s hard to choose… but one I recently read and loved is “The Mountains Sing” by Nguyen Phan Que Mai.
Favourite movie: Dances with Wolves.
Featured headwrap - Mandisa
What would I tell my younger self: Rest is your super power. Embrace ‘doing nothing’.. these moments of pause are when our most crucial and precious work of healing, growth and restoration can truly take place.
What do you do to relax: Go to the water - ocean, river, creek, lake. When I’m in Honiara I’ll often sit under the Tavola tree on the Breakwater with my dogs Tui, Lola and Saroo. Nothing beats the ocean breeze, sunshine and sound of the ocean.
Favourite place/s to relax in Brisbane: I love walking along the Brisbane river and one of my favourite routes is along the Riverwalk, through the City Botanic Gardens. I also enjoy being at New Farm Park.
Where do I see myself in 5 years: I see myself creating a beautiful book filled with my favourite, island inspired recipes. I’m still in the islands - moving from place to place - teaching Yoga, cooking yummy food and enjoying time with my family and friends.
When I wear a head wrap I feel confident and creative. I also feel a deep sense of gratitude for you Charmaine and all that you do for women. I am blessed to be surrounded and supported by so many amazing women who have helped me feel grounded during the storms and inspired to live my best life.
Soon after the photoshoot I received this message from Zillah. “Thank you for inviting me to come on board and be a part of the magic of Diva Headwraps. Grateful for your warm, uplifting energy that made me feel so welcome despite never having done a photoshoot before. What an experience! Here’s to life and the many sweet moments it brings. The photoshoot was definitely one of those moments.”
In South Africa we say “Ubuntu” which means “I am, because you are.”