Proud Wonnarua woman Amanda Healy and her Indigenous fashion label Kirrikin have won the inaugural First Nations Exporter Award at the 2025 Western Australian Export Awards.

The honour recognises businesses breaking into global markets while amplifying Aboriginal voices.

Judges praised Kirrikin for combining high-end fashion with cultural storytelling, and for creating pathways for Indigenous artists to share their work worldwide.

Ms Healy, who was inducted into the WA Women's Hall of Fame in 2022, said the win was a milestone moment for the brand she founded a decade ago.

"Kirrikin was built on a bold vision: to preserve and promote Aboriginal art through luxury fashion, while creating real economic opportunities for Indigenous artists and communities," she said.

Born a Wonnarua woman from the Hunter Valley in NSW, Ms Healy forged a career spanning more than 35 years in mining and engineering before moving into entrepreneurship.

After establishing and selling a successful engineering firm, she turned her focus to values-based ventures.

Launched in 2014, Kirrikin takes authentic Aboriginal artworks and prints them onto silk, cashmere and other luxury fabrics, transforming them into scarves, ties, dresses and resort wear.

The name comes from an Aboriginal word meaning "Sunday's best clothes".

What sets Kirrikin apart is its model of profit-sharing and artist recognition.

Creators are paid royalties and featured in international shows, with their work showcased from Santiago to Paris.

The label has become a platform for Aboriginal artists to connect with audiences across continents.

In her own words, Healy describes Kirrikin as "a social enterprise" where the real inspiration comes from the return to community.

"They're hungry for our stories, they wanna know who we are," she said during an appearance on the Add to Cart podcast.

Alongside Kirrikin, Ms Healy also co-founded Warrikal, an Indigenous-majority services company in WA's resources sector.

But she says fashion has become her vehicle for cultural preservation and global exchange.

"Kirrikin's recognition at the Export Awards is a tribute not only to my team's hard work, but to the power of Indigenous-led storytelling and culture," she said.

With the First Nations Exporter Award under its belt, Kirrikin is now setting its sights on further growth in overseas markets — and on inspiring the next generation of Indigenous designers and entrepreneurs.