Presented by DAAF Foundation and IFP, the NIFA provides an exciting and vibrant platform which showcases innovation, diversity and ethical practices of First Nations people in fashion and textiles, recognising excellence in seven award categories.
Nominations open on Monday 17 February, and will close on Monday 17 March 2025.
The NIFA is known for providing emerging and established Indigenous designers, creatives and Art Centres pathways to elevate their careers and profile them.
Michelle Maynard, IFP Manager and Tasmanian First Nations designer says, “We’re thrilled to announce the NIFA is back again for its sixth year. It’s an incredibly important event to acknowledge, empower, celebrate and showcase Australia’s First Nations designers, artists and talent. Anyone can make a nomination!”
As part of the NIFA, the Fashion Designer award is recognised for offering the winner a 12-month business mentorship opportunity with iconic Australian fashion lifestyle brand, Country Road.
Last year’s Fashion Designer Award winner, Simone Arnol, described the NIFA as life changing, saying “winning the National Indigenous Fashion Award’s Fashion Designer Award has been a life changing milestone, opening doors to opportunities I never imagined possible. It has provided me with the platform to elevate my work, honour my Old People, and create meaningful pathways for the next generation of Indigenous designers,
“I’m excited about the mentorship with Country Road and all the invaluable industry insights and opportunities that lie ahead.” she said.
The NIFA is supported by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company, principal media partner NITV, and award partners Country Road, RMIT, Canberra Centre, QIC, Franchesca Cubillo, Eastland and Helen Kaminski.
The winners will be chosen by a panel of industry judges and announced at the NIFA Ceremony on Wednesday 6 August on Larrakia Country. The NIFA stands alongside the Country to Couture runway (5 August) and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (7-10 August).
The NIFA recognises talent across seven award categories:
- Traditional Adornment Award, supported by Helen Kaminski
- Community Collaboration Award, supported by Canberra Centre
- Business Achievement Award, supported by QIC
- Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT University
- Wearable Art Award, supported by Eastland
- Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road
- Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo
This year, the 2025 NIFA winners will have the opportunity to tour their designs at four QIC centres as part of the NIFA Showcase Tour.
 Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) are inviting the public to nominate Aboriginal and Torres Strait designers and artists for the highly anticipated National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA)){kind=link}