arts

National Indigenous Fashion Awards crowns its 2024 winners

Phoebe Blogg Published August 8, 2024 at 9.00am (AWST)

Audience members at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards. (Image: Dylan Buckee)

The National Indigenous Fashion Awards honoured the industry's brightest stars this week at a ceremony at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.

From a shortlist of 36 finalists, this year's winners have been recognised across seven categories.

Indigenous Fashion Projects manager Michelle Maynard shared her excitement about being able to crown this year's winners and introduce a new award category, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award.

"It's been an incredible evening celebrating our NIFA winners and nominees. This talented group continues to inspire us, telling their stories and their histories of a deep connection to Country through beautiful designs," she said.

"This year we added the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award which recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15-25 years, who is excelling in one or more of the areas of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment and jewellery."

Yawaru woman Kahlia Rogers was the debut winner of the Young Achiever award.

"I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to have the honour of receiving this amazing award for the first time. I have felt so inspired by all the amazing artists and designers from across Australia tonight and I feel proud to represent my family and community," said Rogers.

*Behind the scenes at National Indigenous Fashion Awards. (Image: Marley Morgan)*

Proudly presented by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and supported by the Northern Territory government through Northern Territory Major Events Company, the 36 shortlisted nominees were judged by Yatu Widders-Hunt, Elaine George, Lisa Waup and Nimmi Premaratne.

Taking on the difficult task of assessing the nominations from an incredible line up, these judges look at various niches when deciding upon who should be awarded in each category.

Award winners were also selected in recognition of their creativity, talent and contribution to the industry. The seven worthy award recipients will now go on to gain access to invaluable industry exposure and partnerships, mentoring opportunities, and financial support. This support will be pivotal in the development of both the winners artistic practice and business journeys.

Winners spanned across a range of categories from wearable art, textile design and traditional adornment, though to business achievement and community collaboration.

Guests were thrilled to see First Nations designer Simone Arnol win the prestigious Fashion Designer award sponsored by Country Road.

Arnol is a designer, curator and creative. Her striking designs are underpinned by a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and cultural preservation. Drawing inspiration from traditional dye techniques passed down through generations, Arnol infuses her textiles with rich, earthy colours that speak to the beauty and diversity of Indigenous culture while using recycled material.

Nimmi Premaratne, head of Design for Womenswear at Country Road and one of this year's NIFA judges, said that it was Arnol's creativity and artistry that truly stood out.

"Simone's creativity and artistry truly stand out. Her collection honours traditional techniques passed down through generations while embracing modernity. With a design handwriting that is truly her own, Simone's collections showcase her exceptional skill and dedication to quality, while celebrating her connection to Country and distinct creative style," she said.

*Models wearing garments from NIFA winners, with mentor and judge Elaine George at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards. (Image: Marley Morgan)*

The 2024 NIFA winners and nominees will have the opportunity to tour their designs at two QIC centres including Canberra Centre (ACT), and Eastland (Victoria), supported by QIC.

QIC's First Nations Affairs lead Justin Welfare said QIC is thrilled to continue their partnership with the DAAF Foundation; including the Indigenous Fashion Projects.

"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with the DAAF Foundation including the Indigenous Fashion Projects, and support the National Indigenous Fashion Awards for a third consecutive year," he said.

"This collaboration is incredibly important to us as it aligns with the targets of our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan to foster community partnerships with First Nations organisations, support employment, and increase procurement through First Nations-owned businesses."

This year's NIFA winners include:

Textile Design Award, Supported by RMIT:

Winner: Jay Jurrupula Rostron, Bábbarra Women's Centre, Location: Maningrida, Northern Territory

Traditional Adornment Award, Supported by Helen Kaminski:

Winner: Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct - Location: Yarrabah, Queensland

Wearable Art Award, Supported by Eastland:

Winner: Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Location: Albury/Narrandera, New South Wales

Fashion Designer Award, Supported by Country Road:

Winner: Simone Arnol, Location: Queensland

Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, Supported by Franchesca Cubillo:

Winner: Kahlia Rogers, Location: Broome/Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia

Community Collaboration Award, Supported by Canberra Centre: