Aboriginal artist competes on race day

Indigenous artist Otto Sims thought his first foray into fashion would be a tuxedo for himself, but now he's betting his Melbourne Cup design will be the dress that stops a nation.

With the help of Australian designers Amanda McMillan and Brigida Stewart, the Warlpiri artist's paintings will be transformed into a frock for the Fashions on the Field event next Tuesday.

Sims studies visual arts at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education in Alice Springs, where Ms McMillan and Ms Stewart have been teaching him digital and screen-printing design techniques.

Sims originally approached the lecturers about creating a "flamboyant tuxedo" for himself, but they convinced him to showcase his central desert art with a gown at Flemington racecourse first.

"I've drawn on my Jukurrpa dreaming totem for inspiration. It's a song line that belongs to my clan, my skin group of the Japaljarri and Jungarrayi," Sims told AAP.

Sims is heading to Melbourne to see his work on the runway at the invitation-only Designer Award category, which focuses on Australia's best emerging racewear talent.

"I believe inside of me, I just rely on my ancestors to give me the confidence to know my design will win," he said.

Sims is the chairman of the Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, based in Yuendumu, Central Australia.

He's been practising art since the early 1990s and wants to set an example for the next generation.

"I want to teach young indigenous people to have a go at art and put it on fabric. If I can do it, you can do it," Sims said.

"The old people, the old artists before us, they worked really hard to give us these art centres. It is a second income for our young people."

The design of his dress is top secret, but Sims says it'll be an "eye opener".

Ms Stewart describes the race wear as "sexy and classic".

"It has long sleeves, a deep V-front to the waist with a full skirt to the middle calf," she said.

"The skirt's lining and the bodice with the sleeves are actually Otto's designs."

The dress will be modelled by Lindsey Matthews, a former Batchelor tutor, while Darwin's Gina Marie Millinery has created a headpiece for the outfit.

Darwin model Chloe Moo took out the title in 2013 with material designed by an Aboriginal artist from the Top End's Merrepen Arts Centre.