NIFA 2024 Award Winners

The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), provide a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of First Nations artists and fashion designers, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector.

Recognising and showcasing excellence across seven categories, the award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures. Find out more about NIFA HERE.

The NIFA 2024 Winners Have Been Announced!

Proudly presented by the Indigenous Fashion Projects, meet the winners of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) 2024.

These incredible award winners will now receive a range of tailored funding, mentorships and other priceless opportunities through Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and the presenting partners, designed to build their capability and commerciality to thrive and develop their artistic practice.

Community Collaboration Award, supported by Canberra Centre

Winner: Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda x Gilat Shani, Unreal Fur

This award recognises strong, two-way relationships between First Nations communities and the textile and fashion industry, where social and economic benefits flow to communities, and where First Nations peoples’ agency in the collaboration process is front and centre. Miimi and Jiinda and collaborator Unreal Fur, will receive a $10,000 cash prize to be split between each collaborator supported by Canberra Centre.

The collaboration between Miimi and Jiinda and Unreal Fur began in 2023 when Unreal Fur approached them with the concept of creating a culturally distinctive capsule collection. They were impressed by Unreal Fur’s dedication to advancing a sustainable fashion industry in Australia and appreciated the family-run business ethos, which aligns with their own values.

A central focus of the collaboration was their commitment to giving back to the community. Together, as two Australian brands, they proudly supported the Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School, New South Wales’ first bilingual Aboriginal language school.

Both Lauren and Melissa were deeply involved in every stage of the process and production of the range. Their Cultural IP was paramount to the design process, and they felt culturally respected and honoured throughout.

From the beginning, they provided high-resolution imagery for textile printing and approved all samples, strike-offs, and unique details along the way.

This collaboration provided a valuable opportunity to create cultural discourse through their art. The original artwork, Girwaa, depicts ancestral birthing caves that are still cherished and cared for today. This artwork represents family, community, and connection, serving as a reminder of their shared origins and the importance of love, care, and respect, with a focus on unity.

“The pieces in this capsule collection are truly stunning and are highly coveted. But most importantly, the collaboration process was First Nations led and stayed true to First Nations design and relationship building protocols. The fact that the collaboration ensures that it is putting back into community is a great example of benefit sharing and keeping culture strong.” – Yatu Widders Hunt, 2024 NIFA Judge.

Wearable Art Award, supported by Eastland 

Winner: Lillardia Briggs-Houston

The Wearable Art Award celebrates design, artistry, construction, wearability and cultural expression.

Lillardia has built her label from a small rural community in south-west NSW since 2019 where she works exclusively on Country. Studying fashion at TAFE she was taught by her trained Wiradjuri grandmother from a young age and carries out all of her own pattern drafting, grading, sampling and textile production. Her award-winning woven headpiece is inspired by her kinship line and features hand-turned silk roulade, freshwater mussel beads, silk thread, and seed. Lillardia uses waste dye and ink in her New South Wales studio, dedicating over 100 hours to the creation of this piece.

This woven headpiece reflects both her kinship and Country along the Marrambidya, incorporating elements of the midden through shell and seed. Lillardia is dedicated to keeping her culture alive and highlighting Country while addressing cultural, environmental, and social impacts. Her work consistently honours South West Wiradjuri practices through fashion and textiles.

Traditional Adornment Award, supported by Helen Kaminski

Winner: Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct

For tens of thousands of years First Nations Peoples from around the continent have celebrated their cultures through traditional dress. This award shines a spotlight on the design of items that are created and worn to define or express culture, encouraging the creation and acknowledgement of traditional cultural regalia. 

Traditional weaving in Yarrabah is becoming a rare craft. Philomena Yeatman continues to teach the youth of the community to keep the practice strong. Philomena Yeatman baskets are used to adorn fashion collections either as baskets or small basket earrings.

“I approach the creation of traditional woven baskets with reverence for the methods passed down by my grandmothers. Each basket I weave is not just a piece of art but a connection to my culture and a tribute to the skills of those who came before me.

Using traditional fibres sourced from Country, I ensure the authenticity of each piece. These materials not only lend strength and durability to the baskets but also infuse them with a sense of history and belonging.

The traditional dyes incorporated are deeply rooted in tradition, reflecting the natural hues of the land and the stories of our ancestors,” says Philomena Yeatman.

Business Achievement Award, supported by QIC

Winner: Ngali, Denni Francisco

The Business Achievement Award recognises Ngali’s leadership as a fashion brand business showing both creative and commercial success in textiles and fashion, and positively impacting the Indigenous fashion sector. Ngali will receive a $3000 cash prize and a customised business mentoring development. The mentoring will be designed and developed in support of the winner’s business goals, and aims to enrich entrepreneurship and support fashion innovation.

Honouring exceptional success in both commercial and creative realms of textiles and fashion, this year’s Business Achievement Award is presented to Ngali by Denni Francisco. The label stands at the forefront of Indigenous fashion on an international scale, blending strong cultural expression with notable commercial prowess.

Ngali collaborates with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, translating their remarkable works in painting, photography, and artistic creation into wearable clothing and collectibles.

This recognition marks Ngali’s fourth nomination at the NIFA, and the first time the label has been awarded the Business Achievement Award. Previously, Ngali has received the Fashion Designer Award, acknowledging its significant contributions to advancing the Indigenous fashion sector and ongoing business development.

Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT

Winner: Jay Jurrupula Rostron, Babbarra Women’s Centre

Indigenous textile design holds deep meaning and continues to push the boundaries of contemporary First Nations cultures. It is a medium that offers freedom, where the use of the vibrant colours in textile design is represented in new expressions of old stories, which enable artists to stretch their imagination. In recognition of Jay’s masterful textile work and powerful storytelling, she will receive customised Textile Design Professional Development undertaken with globally recognised RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, ranked among the Business of Fashion’s The Best Fashion Schools in the World.

Jay Jurrupula Roston is a Kune, Rembarrnga, Kuninjku woman from Stone Country in West Arnhem Land. As a key artist at Babbarra Women’s Centre, she has dedicated much of her life to advocating for the environmental protection of the stone country around Kolorbidahdah.

Her design, ‘Namurre Boko,’ is a two-colour screen print measuring 70cm x 140cm. This piece marks Jay’s first screen printing work in the Babbarra Design collection and is the only design depicting Kune Songlines.

Jay’s innovative use of Rarrk (cross-hatching) blends traditional art practices with contemporary textile design, a technique she frequently employs to add depth and texture to her work.

The story of ‘Namurre Boko’ holds great significance for the people of Kolorbidahdah. Passed down through her paternal lineage, Jay is among the first female artists in her family to receive permission from her elders to depict this important story.

Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road

Winner: Simone Arnol

Since 2020, Country Road has been the proud presenter of the NIFA Fashion Designer Award. The award recognises Simone as a designer who has excelled both creatively and commercially. Simone will receive a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road, an iconic Australian fashion lifestyle brand. It is designed to be a rich two-way learning experience for both the winner and the Country Road mentorship team. The program is tailored to the needs and focus areas defined by the mentee, covering areas such as marketing, product development, sales and finance and sustainability, supporting the winner to further build their business and career. 

Simone Arnol,  is an Indigenous designer who seamlessly blends traditional practices of her ancestors with contemporary innovation. Her work is renowned for its commitment to sustainability, using recycled materials and traditional dye techniques to create vibrant textiles rich with cultural storytelling.  Her approach not only honours her culture but also addresses environmental and social issues. Simone is also dedicated to mentoring emerging Indigenous designers, providing invaluable support to foster new talent in the fashion industry. With her win, Simone accesses a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road.

Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo

Winner: Kahlia Rogers

Named in honour of Franchesca Cubillo’s mother, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award recognises an outstanding young person, who is excelling in one or more of the areas of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment and jewellery.

Kahlia Roger, is a remarkable young model from the Wangkajunga community in the central Kimberley of WA. Despite the challenges of living remotely, she’s built a successful modelling career while staying connected to her culture and family.

Kahlia commutes two hours daily to work at Fitzroy Crossing School and has travelled around Australia for fashion events, self-funding her way to opportunities like Country to Couture. Her achievements include modelling for Mangkaja x Gorman, winning Kimberley Girl in 2022, and representing Letitia Shaw’s collection in Paris.

In addition to her modelling, Kahlia works with the Shooting Stars program, mentoring young girls and helping them engage with education and fashion. Her dedication and success make her a standout role model for young people in remote areas.