As someone whose wardrobe is lined with Billabong dresses, tees, shorts, and bikinis, I look forward to seeing its collaborations with local artists come out every year. Earlier this month, Billabong dropped its annual range with Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung artist Otis Hope Carey.
Created exclusively for Billabong, the aim of each collaboration is to create an open dialogue of appreciation, joy and connection to culture, country and coastline for a generation of Aussie surfers.
Carey’s past collaborations with Billabong have honoured the land and stories of his people. However, this range takes a more introspective turn, reflecting on Carey’s own journey, creativity, and evolving connection to culture.
“This collection is deeply meaningful to me,” says Carey. “All my life, my art has been a way to explore my identity and my connection to the stories of my country. This range still captures that journey — it’s about honouring the past, but it also acknowledges how I’ve grown and who I’ve become along the way.”
The designs embody the energy typical of Carey’s artistic evolution, famous originality, and surf wizardry. Each piece is layered with fluid shapes and bold song lines to create the magic for which Otis is now globally recognised.
“Art is a constant state of mind. I’m forever thinking about patterns and how I can transform my spiritual connection to my culture in pattern form… Everything I paint is my interpretation of my own connection to culture, but I do use traditional symbols that have been used for thousands of years. I sort of use them in a contemporary form,” says Carey.
In the video that accompanied the collaboration launch, Carey explains how he’s basically just painting himself.
“I love seeing my art on clothes. It makes me super proud. It’s great that I can share my culture through that avenue and bring people together.”
This year’s drop is a range of men’s, women’s and kid’s shorts, tees, swimwear, boardshorts, hats and more. You can check out below.
Shop the new Otis Hope Carey x Billabong range
Men’s Otis Waterhole T-Shirt
Men’s Otis Dbah Pro Boardshorts
Men’s Otis Waterhole Snapback
Men’s Otis Mangrove Long Sleeve Fisho Surf Shirt
Men’s Otis Mangrove Boonie Hat
Women’s Otis Water Hole T-Shirt
Women’s Otis River Baby T-Shirt
Women’s Otis Arch T-Shirt
Women’s Otis Sand Dune Surf Short Bikini Bottom
Women’s Otis River Remi Bikini Top
Women’s Otis Sand Dune Retro Surfsuit
You can check out the entire Otis x Billabong drop here.
Image Credit: Otis x Billabong
The post This New Billabong X Otis Hope Carey Collection Celebrates Connection To Culture appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
