The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) celebrated the talent of First Nations designers in Darwin this week, marking the seventh year of the event hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects alongside Country to Couture. The ceremony took place on Larrakia Country, where a panel of judges selected winners across seven categories ranging from commercial design to community collaboration. The awards highlight the creative and commercial success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, with prize money and professional development opportunities distributed to this year’s recipients.
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins took home the prestigious National Designer Award, supported by Country Road. Cockatoo-Collins, who lives and works on Quandamooka Country in Queensland, creates work that draws on natural fibres and traditional storytelling. The award recognizes both creative merit and commercial viability, and the winner had the choice between a $5,000 cash prize or a 12-month industry mentorship with Country Road.
In the textile design category, Lillardia Briggs-Houston was recognized for their hand-dyed silk organza. This award spotlights innovation in woven, knitted, dyed, or surface-ornamented construction. As the recipient, Briggs-Houston will receive professional development support from the RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles.
Traditional craft and business leadership
The Traditional Adornment Award went to Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni from the Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association. She was honored for her Tunga (bark basket) and parmijini (headband and armbands). This prize, supported by Desart, encourages the creation of cultural regalia and came with a $3000 cash award.
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Lucy Simpson of Gaawaa Miyay Designs received the Wearable Art Award for a glass river mussel shell necklace featuring sand-cast glass on hand-twined fibre. The piece demonstrated excellence in design, artistry, and cultural expression, earning Simpson a $5000 prize from Pacific Werribee.
The Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award recognized a young person excelling in fashion or textile design. This year, the recipient was Jake Powers, a model of Yawuru, Bardi, and Kija heritage who received a $3000 cash prize.
Community and commercial recognition
Community collaboration was a major theme, with the award going to Bábbarra Women’s Centre x Tharangini Studio. This collaboration supports First Nations agency in the industry and was supported by QIC, with a $10,000 cash prize split between the two partners.
The Business Achievement Award, which celebrates leadership in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, went to KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art). Based on Yawuru Country in Western Australia, KAFTA operates a fashion platform that transforms Broome’s Town Beach Jetty into an outdoor runway. The organization received a $5000 prize supported by Canberra Centre.