Meet the winners of this year’s National Indigenous Fashion Awards
photography by Kacey Umbagai
words by daisy henry
A celebration of talent, creativity and cultural expression.
Australia is home to a talented pool of First Nations creatives and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) seek to recognise this excellence every year. Hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects alongside Country to Couture, it’s the largest annual celebration of First Nations fashion.
This year marks the seventh iteration of NIFA, where 25 finalists from around the country were chosen across seven categories, including the prestigious Fashion Designer Award, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award and the Textile Design Award.
For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.
As of Wednesday evening, we officially have our winners. The ceremony was held in Darwin on Larrakia Country, and was determined by a panel of judges including Julie Shaw from MAARA Collective, Lindyn Rowland from Rowland Vision and Lisa Friedl from Country Road. Find the full list of winners below.
Fashion Designer Award
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Winner: Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
The prestigious National Designer Award, supported by Country Road, recognises the work of an individual designer on both creative and commercial grounds. This year, the award was given to Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, who lives and works on Quandamooka Country in Queensland.
Her designs, which draw on natural fibres and traditional storytelling, reflect a deep connection to Country. As the recipient, she will have the choice between a $5,000 prize or a 12-month industry mentorship with Country Road.
Textile Design Award
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Winner: Lillardia Briggs-Houston
Indigenous textile design is a medium that constantly pushes the boundaries. This award celebrates this innovation, spotlighting the work of an individual textile designer who explores woven, knitted, dyed, printed or surface-ornamented construction.
This year’s Textile Design Award recipient is Lillardia Briggs-Houston, in recognition of their hand-dyed silk organza. Lillardia will receive a Textile Design Professional Development with RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.
Traditional Adornment Award
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Winner: Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni
The Traditional Adornment Award was created to encourage and celebrate the creation of traditional, cultural regalia. It recognises either a group or individual for designs created and worn to express culture. This year, the prize was awarded to artist Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni from the Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, for her Tunga (bark basket) and parmijini (headband and armbands). As part of the award, Michelle will receive a $3000 cash prize from Desart.
Wearable Art Award
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Winner: Gaawaa Miyay (Lucy Simpson)
The Wearable Art Award recognises the work of an individual designer for the creation of a single piece of clothing, accessory or jewellery that showcases excellence in design, artistry, wearability, construction and cultural expression.
This year, it was awarded to Yuwaalaraay woman, Lucy Simpson of Gaawaa Miyay Designs, for her glass river mussel shell necklace (sand-cast glass on hand-twined fibre). Lucy will recieve a $5000 cash prize from Pacific Werribee.
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award
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Winner: Jake Powers
The Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award recognises a young person between 15 and 25 who is excelling in their community and the world of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment, jewellery or a fashion-related role. The recipient of this year’s award is Yawuru, Bardi, and Kija model, Jake Powers, who will receive a $3000 cash prize.
Community Collaboration Award
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Winner: Bábbarra Women’s Centre x Tharangini Studio
The Community Collaboration Award recognises the relationships between First Nations communities and the fashion industry, where First Nations peoples’ agency in the collaboration process is front and centre. This year, it was awarded to the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and Tharangini Studio, with a $10,000 cash prize split between each collaborator, supported by QIC.
Business Achievement Award
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Winner: KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art)
This award celebrates leadership in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, showing both creative and commercial success. The Business Achievement Award recipient this year is KAFTA, a fashion platform based on Yawuru Country in Western Australia.
Each year, KAFTA transforms Broome’s Town Beach Jetty into an outdoor runway, alongside a Pop-Up Fashion Fair and Gala. As part of the award, it will receive a a $5000 cash prize, supported by Canberra Centre.
For more on the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, try this.
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