As part of the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) program, Indigenous Fashion Projects hosts the Country to Couture runways and National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). These groundbreaking events are a vital bridge connecting remote, regional and urban Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the global fashion stage.
NIFA celebrates and recognises the strength and innovation of First Nations peoples working in fashion. A platform to further empower First Nations’ agency, NIFA amplifies diverse voices and stories across the industry.
This year, a shortlisted 38 finalists will be recognised across seven categories, with the winners set to be announced under the stars at the Deckchair Cinema on 6th August, and the judging panel is composed of Yatu Widders-Hunt, Lisa Waup and Country Road’s Jessica Poynter.
Indigenous Fashion Projects Manager Michelle Maynard, said, “The NIFA is a vital event for celebrating and elevating First Nations fashion and textile design. The pool of applicants has grown annually since it began and is a testament to the expansiveness of activity in our sector. It’s not just a hobby. We are seeing viable careers and futures being built that enable Indigenous wealth creation through the language of fashion, grounded in cultural integrity and knowledge systems. This sector is important and needs to be acknowledged and supported in its potential, and in the role it plays in creating brighter futures, out of the deficit situation that is still current.”
“All of the applications this year were outstanding, and I want to congratulate and celebrate every single nominee in their creative practice, their beautifully unique creations, and the generosity of story shared through their work.”
Beyond the awards ceremony, the NIFA brings with it business development, financial and mentorship support from leading fashion industry heavyweights including Helen Kaminski, RMIT, QIC, and Country Road.
Since 2020, Country Road has been a proud presenter of the Fashion Designer Award. Fabia Pryor, Brand Sustainability Manager at Country Road, said: “Every year we’re blown away by the cultural expression, storytelling and design of the nominees. We look forward to connecting with this year’s Fashion Designer award winner and being a part of their journey. Supporting First Nations designers through the NIFA, Country to Couture and broader IFP programs is vital for the future of the Australian fashion industry.”
2025 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS FASHION AWARD SHORTLISTED NOMINEES
Textile Design Award | Supported by RMIT | 6 Nominees
• Celebrates an individual designer of textiles, including woven, knitted, dyed, printed or surface ornamented constructions.
• Prize: Textile Design Professional Development undertaken with globally recognised RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, ranked among the Business of Fashion’s ‘The Best Fashion Schools in the World’. The prize is tailored to the winning artist’s requirements.
Nominees:
• Gregory Salt, Yalanji Arts – Mob: Yalanji – Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Joyce Dixon, Ikuntji Artists – Mob: Pintupi-Luritija – Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Karen Shuan, Yalanji Arts – Mob: Kuku Yalanji – Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Laurence Gibson, Yalanji Arts – Mob: Kuku Yalanji – Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Larissa Brumby, Ikuntji Artists – Mob: Ngaanyatjarra – Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Rhonda Sharpe, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists – Mob: Luritja – Location: Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Traditional Adornment Award | Supported by Helen Kaminski | 5 nominees
• Encouraging the creation and acknowledgement of traditional cultural regalia, this award shines a spotlight on the design of items created and worn to define or express culture.
• Prize: The winning artist will receive a $3000 cash prize from Helen Kaminski.
Nominees:
• Cassie Leatham, Yanggurdi – Mob: DjaDjaWurrung / Daungwurrung – Location: Boisdale, Victoria
• Jenny Fraser – Mob: Migunburri Yugambeh – Location: Lismore, New South Wales
• Ngaire Pakai – Mob: Wiradjuri – Location: Blackalls Park, New South Wales
• Rena Ngalinggama Guyula, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts – Mob: Djambarrpuyngu – Location: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
• Yaraan Bundle – Mob: Gunditjmara – Location: Black Range, Victoria
Wearable Art Award | Supported by Eastland | 6 nominees
• Celebrates design, artistry, construction, wearability and cultural expression, recognising an individual designer for the creation of a single worn item of clothing, accessory or piece of jewellery that demonstrates excellence in design, craft and artistic expression.
• Prize: The winning artist will receive a $5000 cash prize from Eastland.
Nominees:
• Andrew Wanamilil, Bula’bula Arts – Mob: Yolngu – Location: Ramingining, Northern Territory
• Cassie Leatham, Yanggurdi – Mob: DjaDjaWurrung / Daungwurrung – Location: Boisdale, Victoria
• Cathy Ward, Waringarri Arts – Mob: Miriwoong – Location: Miriwoong Country (Kununurra, Western Australia)
• Cleonie Quayle, CQ Aboriginal Jewellery – Mob: Malyingyapa Barkindj – Location: Merrylands West, New South Wales
• Ellen Trevorrow – Mob: Ngarrindjeri – Location: Meningie, South Australia
• Julieanne Gitjpulu Malibirr, Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts – Mob: Ganalbingu – Location: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
Fashion Designer Award | Supported by Country Road | 5 nominees
• Recognises an individual designer of original fashion apparel who has excelled both creatively and commercially.
• Prize: The winner will receive a $5,000 prize or a 12-month industry mentorship with Country Road. The mentorship program is tailored to the needs and focus areas defined by the mentee, covering areas such as marketing, product development, sales and finance and sustainability. A $5,000 cash prize is offered as an alternative to the mentorship, where the mentee requires investment in business related travel, capital, or operational expenses.
Nominees:
• Clair Helen Parker, Clair Helen – Mob: Tiwi – Location: Perth, Western Australia
• Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda – Mob: Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung Dunghutti – Location: Highland Place, New South Wales
• Natisha Tabua, Off the Plantation – Mob: Kalkugal Nation – Location: Melbourne, Victoria
• Samala Cronin, MumRed – Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil – Location: Thompson, Victoria
• Tahnee Edwards, Gammin Threads – Mob: Yorta Yorta, Taungurung – Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award | Supported by Franchesca Cubillo | 4 nominees
• Named in honour of Franchesca Cubillo’s mother, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15-25 years, who is excelling in the area of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art and/or adornment/jewellery.
• Prize: The winner will receive a $3000 cash prize.
Nominees:
• Cindy Rostron – Mob: Bunungku – Location: West Arnhem, Northern Territory
• Elliot (Mango) Aplin – Mob: Waanyi, Gangalidda, Garawa – Location: Brisbane, Queensland
• Jake Powers – Mob: Bardi, Yawuru and Kija – Location: Broome, Western Australia
• Tiesha Munnich – Mob: Wadjigan/Yawuru/Bardi/ Jawi / Karajarri/ Mamu / Gunggandji – Location: Darwin, Northern Territory
Community Collaboration Award | Supported by Canberra Centre | 6 nominees
• Recognising strong, two-way relationships between First Nations communities and the textile and fashion industry, where social and economic benefits flow to communities, and where First Nations peoples’ agency in the collaboration process is front and centre.
• Prize: A $10,000 cash prize, to be split between each collaborator, from Canberra Centre
Nominees :
• Djilpin Arts: Djilpin Arts artists: Julie Ashley, Noreena Ashley, Rita Cameron, Evangeline Wilson, Desleigh Sheilds, Jessie Ashley, with collaborators: Kate Sale – Kate Sale Jewellery, Fiona Gavino – Fibre Artist, and Fleur Parry – Art Centre Manager.. – Mob: Wagilak/Rittharngu (Djilpin Arts artists) – Location: Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory
• Wendy Hubert, Juluwarlu, Collaborator: Emily Wright, Nancybird – Mob: Yindjibarndi (Wendy Hubert) – Location: Roebourne, Western Australia
• Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts x Helen Kaminski, Collaborators: Julie Bukandjarri, Gary Bishop, Anna Ramatha, Marcia Mawulawuy, Leonie Guyula, Megan Guyula, Trevor van Weeren, Noreen Matay, Linda Gagati, Michelle Banalinydju, Rebecca Gamadala, Mavis Wuluku, Lucy Wanapuyngu, Kathy Guyule, Phoebe Hyles, Julieanne Gitjpulu, Joan Milwini. – Mob: Yolŋu (Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts artists) – Location: Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory
• Gina Bundle and community members – Mob: Bidwell, Jerrigah, Walbunga, Djiringanj Yuin/Monaro – Location: Mickleham, Victoria
• David Leslie, GALI Swimwear, Collaborators: Jake Simon, IYDA & Michal Nicolas, TEAMM8 – Mob: Kamilaroi (David Leslie), Worimi-Biripi (Jake Simon) – Location: Erskineville, New South Wales
• Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association – Mob: Tiwi – Location: Melville Island, Northern Territory
Business Achievement Award | Supported by QIC | 6 nominees
• Recognising and celebrating leadership in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business showing both creative and commercial success in textiles and fashion, positively impacting the Indigenous fashion sector.
• Prize: The winner of the Business Achievement Award will receive a $5000 cash prize to support them in taking their next step in business.
Nominees :
• Magpie Goose, Amanda Hayman and Troy Casey – Mob: Wakka Wakka | Kalkadoon – Location: Brisbane, Queensland
• GALI swimwear, David Leslie – Mob: Kamilaroi – Location: Erskineville, New South Wales
• Ikuntji Artists – Mob: Luritja-Pintupi – Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Marley Morgan Photography, Marley Morgan – Mob: Wiradjuri/Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay – Location: Glenreagh, New South Wales
• Miimi & Jiinda, Melissa Greenwood – Mob: Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung Dunghutti – Location: Highland Place, New South Wales
• MumRed, Samala Cronin – Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil – Location: Wathawurrong (Thompson, VIC)
The National Indigenous Fashion Awards take place on Wednesday 6 August from 7-8pm
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