Nagnata has nailed the core of Australian fashion. Laura May and Hannah Gibbs design for the unapologetic, athletic, mindful human who celebrates their body. And looks good. There was an inherent power in Nagnata's Movement 18 collection today, as the brand continued to set the benchmark for toxicity-free, organically-dyed Merino knitwear, denim and workwear. We spoke to Laura May about Nagnata's next moves:

How is the DNA of Nagnata evolving?

Nagnata will always be informed by movement — of the body, of consciousness, of culture. But as we evolve, so does the Nagnata uniform. With Return to Earth, we’re expanding the language of that uniform. From knitwear to outerwear, from street to studio, and now into denim; each category we enter is approached with the same intentionality: tactile innovation, natural fibres, and pieces designed to live with you.

Our ethos hasn’t changed, but the expression has matured. We’re more focused than ever on how garments are made, worn, and eventually, how they return to the Earth. It’s still about sensuality and strength, but now with a wider lens creating a system of dress that’s practical, performance-led, and grounded in purpose.

What was inspiring you when you were designing Resort 2026?

This collection has been a long time in the making and debuts our first-ever denim line, designed through the lens of our “Return to Earth” philosophy. The catalyst was a desire to evolve while staying deeply connected to our roots. That creative tension between innovation and continuity is where the energy of this season lives. Our Movement 18 collection is anchored in that balance: we reintroduce the iconic houndstooth Merino knit classics that shaped Nagnata’s early identity, styled with the new R2E denim collection.

The vision for this denim has been sitting with us for years, there was an internal pull to create an evolution of the Nagnata uniform that took our approach to sustainably minded design a step further - and could return to earth after wear.  Bold, natural, and free from toxicity, made entirely from organic cotton and dyed with plant-based colour. The palette, especially the deep reds, draws a line between past and present—referencing our Movement 001 debut, but with a richer, spiced undertone that signals where we’re headed next.

What made the leap from the mood board into the collection?

A board always starts with a fresh palette and fabrication directions. This season we had denim swatches, utility workwear, streetwear styling, pleats and pintucks, cable knit samples and colours drawn from nature. 

We worked with organically grown plant dyes drawing pigments from bixin, indigowood root and lutein, which gave us rich, expressive tones that stayed true to Nagnata’s bold visual identity. Even within the natural limits of botanical dyeing, we pushed for vibrancy. Ruby, dull gold, and bone white became the anchors—shades that carried the emotional weight of the collection from concept to creation.

We like to play with opposing elements in our collections -sheer textiles and fine-gauge knits with fluid pintuck details introduced a softness to offset the grounded nature of our denim. 

‍What emotions and thoughts from you are imbued in these pieces?

There’s a quiet sense of release woven through this collection—a recognition that true longevity in design also means accepting impermanence. The R2E denim is crafted to last for years, even decades, but when it reaches its end, it can quite literally return to the soil. That idea holds weight for me personally. I’ve spent years thinking about fashion’s impact, and these pieces carry that reflection, less a statement, more a soft protest. An invitation to think differently.

This season also gave me space to express another side of design. While Nagnata is known for knitwear, I come from a denim background, and returning to this fabrication felt like coming home. There’s a similar intimacy in how denim and knitwear form to the body—how they shape, soften, and evolve over time. Working with natural dyes and plant-based materials pushed us to innovate in a way that still felt grounded. It’s a balance of craft and consciousness, of familiarity and experimentation.

Which piece would you hope to be the ultimate collector’s item?

The Vegetable Dye Utility Jean. It’s the cornerstone of our Return to Earth collection and marks a new chapter for Nagnata. Each colourway is dyed using organically grown plant dyes, and because of the nature of that process, every shade is limited and will shift with the season. It’s our take on a timeless staple, reimagined through the Nagnata lens — bold, conscious, and collectible.

How does sustainability factor into your work?

We try to think holistically. It’s not just about repurposing garments, but rethinking how we source, how we dye, how we communicate. Our Return to Earth denim can literally break down into the soil, no synthetics, no chemical dyes. That’s the level of integrity we’re pushing for. In other areas, we engineer to shape with no yarn wastage, repurpose scrap yarn, recycle fabrications, or develop limited runs based on excess fibre. It’s always a dance, innovation meets intuition. We’re trying to hold both.

There are brilliant people to collaborate with Australia. Who has been part of your world with this collection?

Collaboration is everything when it comes to creativity in the Nagnata world. Nathan Lewis, our filmmaker, captured the poetic energy of this vision with such sensitivity. Jess Gomes brings strength and softness to the screen and runway. Vic Baron creates a makeup look that feels nourished and kissed by the sun. And Gary Sinclair, our sound designer, built an original composition tuned to the Earth’s frequency. I feel lucky to work with a circle of artists who I share friendships and deep understanding with.

What’s important to you aside from fashion? How would you like to use your platform?

Connection to Country. Environmental consciousness. Art as activism. These have always been part of Nagnata’s foundation, not add-ons, but embedded in our DNA. From the beginning, we’ve used the brand to respond to the world around us: through campaigns, collections, and the conversations we choose to have.

Wellness is also a huge pillar — yoga, surfing, time in nature — these are practices that inform not only our designs but are our way of being. The Nagnata platform is a space to build community through these intersections, to invite collaboration, and to offer moments of reflection. It’s a privilege to have a voice — and we’ve always tried to use it with care.

What is the soundtrack to this collection?

The Earth vibrates in the key of G major — that’s where we began. Gary Sinclair composed a score using the Earth’s resonant frequencies and layered it with textures of sound, repetition, and chaos that reflect natural cycles. It was engineered to be felt in the body, not just heard. You’ll remember the music long after the show ends.

What’s next?

Refinement and expansion with purpose. We’re growing internationally and evolving into a fully-fledged luxury lifestyle brand, but doing so with intention. The next phase of Nagnata is about slowing down to move forward, grounding ourselves in natural fibres, integrity, and the rhythm of real life.

We’re continuing to build out the Nagnata uniform, introducing new categories while staying true to our movement philosophy and commitment to sustainability. The launch of our Sydney store marked a significant step, and our sights are set on more spaces that bring the world of Nagnata to life.

On a personal note, becoming a mother has shifted my pace. This year is about finding harmony between work and motherhood, and allowing space to reflect on the past decade and where Nagnata will move in the next. Return to Earth feels like a marker of that shift: a quieter confidence in where we’re headed.

Full gallery coming soon.

nagnata.com