National Indigenous Fashion Awards 2024

Launched in 2020, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), provide a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Australia's First Nations peoples in fashion and textiles, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector.

The award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures. Proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company, principal media partner NITV, and award partners Country Road, RMIT, Canberra Centre, QIC, Franchesca Cubillo, Eastland and Helen Kaminski. NIFA has grown out of the success of the Country to Couture fashion runway event that is held every August. Country to Couture is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander textiles and fashion design, and is a contemporary way of cultural storytelling, and sharing knowledge. The runway show has brought much attention to Indigenous fashion over the past five years, and places Darwin as the nation’s beating heart of First Nations peoples art and fashion.

First Nations fashion is rapidly emerging and gaining global attention. The Northern Territory Government has recognised the need to support this developing space, and will work closely with DAAFF to ensure that the NIFA provides capacity building opportunities for Indigenous Art Centres, emerging First Nations fashion and textile designers, and recognise excellence in the industry.

Celebrating the innovation of Australia’s First Nations peoples in fashion and textiles, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) return to Darwin in August. 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. 

The prestigious awards in 2024 include the:

• Traditional Adornment Award, supported by  Helen Kaminski

• Community Collaboration Award, supported by Canberra Centre

• Business Achievement Award, supported by QIC

• Wearable Art Award, supported by Eastland

• Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road

• Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo

Canberra Centre in proud to partner with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) for the third year of sponsoring the Community Collaboration Award at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) in 2024. This award celebrates effective and productive relationships between First Nations communities and the textile and fashion industry.

Whilst you may not be front row at the Darwin show, you can stream NIFA from the comfort of your home. Find out more about how you can watch the NIFA HERE.  

Canberra Centre customers will also be able to see some of the incredible winning outfits on display on the Glass Floor located on level one in centre, with further details to be released soon.