The mother and daughter team of Bic Walker and Indi Walker launched their brand Dibo Bodi together in 2021, as both the designers and the makers of their garments.
From Family Sewing to a Growing Melbourne Fashion Brand
Bic and Indi come from a family that has long been involved in producing clothing; Bic started helping her mother, Indi’s grandmother, from the age of 15, while Indi launched a YouTube channel focused on her love of recycled fashion and creative styling when she was 14 years old.
“[We have] a shared passion for thrifting, upcycling, and giving fashion a second life, and [started] selling our handmade upcycled pieces on Depop during the 2020 Covid19 lockdowns,” they explain. “Turning our creative hobby into the beginning of Dibo Bodi.”
According to Bic and Indi, something that began as “sewing machines, fabric piles and handmade designs scattered throughout our living room quickly grew into a loyal online community and a growing brand”.
“As demand increased, Dibo Bodi outgrew the family home and moved into its first studio space in 2022, marking the next chapter of the brand’s journey,” they say. “[What happened] by accident on Depop, just exploded and went viral on TikTok.”
The brand’s name comes from Bic’s Vietnamese heritage, and means ‘walker’ in her first language. Born in Vietnam, Bic escaped the war as a refugee and came to Australia in 1979.
Modern Tailoring Inspired by Corsetry and Vintage Structure
Indi and Bic say they are inspired by a range of international fashion brands, like Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and Azzedine Alaïa; all brands that are known for their fitted, corset-focused creations.
“Dibo Bodi creates modern feminine tailoring inspired by corsetry and vintage structure,” says Indi. “Blending sharp silhouettes with soft sensuality, the brand focuses on confident dressing that feels powerful, flattering and wearable.
“The aesthetic combines sculpted shapes, fitted waists, elevated fabrics, and clean feminine lines — Dibo Bodi is evolving toward refined statement dressing and contemporary corporate wear designed for confident modern women.”
Building a Sustainable Future Through Local Production and Thoughtful Design
As with the majority of new fashion brands, Indi and Bic say that sustainability is a major consideration for their brand’s production.
“Dibo Bodi focuses on small-scale, conscious production rather than mass manufacturing. Around 80% of our pieces are made locally in our Melbourne studio, allowing us to maintain quality, reduce overproduction, and stay closely involved in the design and production process.
“The brand works with limited editions and small drops to minimise waste and avoid excess stock. We also prioritise natural fabrics where possible, mainly using cottons and linens for their comfort, longevity, and lower environmental impact compared to synthetic materials.
“Our approach is about creating thoughtful, well-made pieces designed to be worn and loved beyond seasonal trends.”
As for the future, Bic and Indi say that their long-term goals for Dibo Bodi include continuing to evolve into a “complete womenswear brand known for modern structured femininity and confident dressing”.
“While the brand began with statement dresses and corsetry-inspired silhouettes, the vision is to expand into broader collections including tailored pants, skirts, elevated separates, outerwear, and eventually accessories,” they say.
“As the brand grows, we want to continue refining our aesthetic into versatile, fashion-forward pieces that women can wear across different parts of their lives — from work to events to everyday styling.
“We also aim to keep growing our local production in Melbourne while maintaining a focus on limited collections, quality craftsmanship, and thoughtful design rather than fast fashion mass production.
“Ultimately, the goal is to build Dibo Bodi into a recognisable Australian fashion label with a strong identity centred around structure, femininity, and modern confidence.”
For more information about Dibo Bodi and to shop the brand, go to www.dibobodi.com and follow the brand at @dibo.bodi