The Australian surf scene has always shared a deep bond with the ocean, but the latest Billabong x Otis Hope Carey collection reaches a more profound level. This is not merely another winter capsule filled with hoodies, boardshorts, and oversized tees. It is a collection shaped by memory, Country, and identity, grounded in the personal storytelling that has made Otis Carey one of Australia’s most celebrated contemporary First Nations artists.
A Journey Through Desert Country
The new range arrives alongside a striking campaign filmed in the Northern Territory, where Carey traveled through Desert Country with his son Lenny and Billabong team surfer and model Bodhi Simon. Shot with permission from the Central Land Council, the campaign captures sweeping waterways, glowing red earth, and shifting desert light that feels almost cinematic. For Carey, the trip left a lasting impression.
“So that was my first time in Alice Springs, I did not expect to see such beauty,” he said. “The thing that really captured my eye and my heart was how the light changed throughout the day. You’re in the same space, but it’s a new place every few hours and by sunset it felt like we were on Mars.”
Family and Connection at the Heart
There is a warmth running through this collection that sets it apart from traditional surfwear campaigns. The emotional center is not just fashion, but connection. Carey describes watching his son experience the landscape for the first time as one of the most meaningful moments of the trip.
“Seeing his eyes light up going, ‘whoa dad look at the colour,’ that was really special,” he said. “It felt like we were right in the heart of Mother Earth and that energy really informed the range.”
That connection flows through every piece in the collection, which spans men’s, women’s, and youth apparel. The standout motif is the Gaagal print, a recurring symbol throughout Carey’s artwork that represents the ocean and acts as a shared totem of the Gumbaynggirr mob. Across sweaters, tracksuits, beanies, and swimwear, the print becomes more than decoration—it becomes autobiography.
“For this range especially, the Gaagal print feels deeply personal,” Carey explained. “When I paint that word, I’m essentially painting a portrait of myself. That’s why this collection is one of the most special and closest to my heart. People are wearing my portraits.”
Design and Cultural Significance
The result is surfwear that feels unusually thoughtful. Earthy tones sit against bold black graphics, while flashes of red, yellow, and green weave through the collection in a nod to the Aboriginal flag. Carey said he was proud to see Billabong embrace those colors within the branding itself, helping unify the collection visually while honoring culture through design. Women-specific pieces like the Otis Dreaming linen set lean into relaxed silhouettes and everyday comfort, while still carrying the same grounded energy as the wider collection. Elsewhere, oversized fleece pieces and winter-ready separates feel designed for road trips up the coast, cold post-surf mornings, and weekends spent outdoors.
Creative Collaboration and Storytelling
The campaign itself was shot and edited by filmmaker Sam Brumby, whose longstanding creative relationship with Carey helped shape the visual storytelling behind the project. Featuring Bodhi Simon throughout the campaign added another layer of cultural connection. “Otis is such a big inspiration for me,” Simon said. “What he does by bringing together surfing, culture and art is so cool to watch.” She also spoke about the importance of sharing First Nations stories globally through art and fashion. “It’s so important to share our culture through our stories. Share our ways through art. First Nations people are the oldest living culture which is so special to us.”
Authenticity and Launch Details
The Billabong x Otis Hope Carey partnership still feels rooted in something authentic. The relationship between artist and brand has now evolved over multiple collections, but this release carries a stronger emotional pull. Perhaps it is the landscape or the presence of family woven through the campaign. Or perhaps it is the idea that clothing can still carry story, history, and place in a way that resonates far beyond trends. To celebrate the launch, customers also have the chance to win an original Ngaarlu Blanket designed by Carey himself, inspired by connection to Country, ocean, and culture. The Billabong x Otis Hope Carey collection is available now from Billabong, Surf Dive ’N Ski, and selected surf retailers across Australia from June 2, 2026.
