About Fran-khi

(L to R) Sister Camille, Mum Pat, and Lauren at Baxters Caravan Park in Carnarvon. This was Camille’s first day of school, and Lauren was crying because she wanted to go to school too.

All Fran-Khi items are thoughtfully designed and handmade by Lauren Nielsen, a proud Wajarri Nhanda woman born and raised in Carnarvon, a coastal town in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia. Lauren’s connection to her culture and community inspires every piece she creates, bringing authentic Indigenous artistry to children’s dolls while celebrating heritage, storytelling, and meaningful play.

Carnarvon was a wonderful place for Lauren to grow up. Surrounded by her family and close friends, she was nurtured into the strong, creative, loving, and driven woman she is today. Some of her fondest memories are of her Nana, Grandad, aunties, uncles, sister, and cousins gathering almost every weekend—either at a family member’s home or by the river—sharing food, stories, and creating memories to last a lifetime.

Lauren was first exposed to sewing and industrial sewing machines at the age of 13. Her friend’s mum had a wonderful collection of machines set up on her front porch, and instead of playing, Lauren would spend her days watching her sew. From that moment, Lauren knew she wanted to design and create clothing.

By the age of 16, Lauren had completed a Commercial Dressmaking course at Geraldton TAFE, and she has been sewing and designing ever since.

Fran-khi was a COVID-inspired dream, born while Lauren was living in Melbourne. Her daughter-in-law asked if she could find doll clothes for Lauren’s granddaughter, Iyla-May, for her 1st birthday. At the time, there were very few options available, which inspired Lauren to create her own unique and meaningful doll clothing line.

Lauren is the founder of Fran-Khi, a 100% Aboriginal-owned small business dedicated to bringing authentic Indigenous art and culture into playtime. Fran-Khi creates beautifully handcrafted clothing, shoes, and accessories for children’s dolls, celebrating heritage, storytelling, and creativity in every stitch. Each piece is a reflection of Lauren’s passion for design, culture, and meaningful play, inspiring the next generation to connect with Indigenous artistry through fun and imagination.

Most importantly, Fran-Khi sources Indigenous fabrics from Australian suppliers who support the incredible artwork of First Nations artists across the country.