Celebrating First Nations Fashion

Hero DAAF Foundation - Melissa Greenwood. Miimi & Jiinda and Gilat Shani, Unreal Fur
QIC and the DAAF Foundation Continue Collaboration
We are proud to continue our partnership with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation and Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), supporting the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) for the fourth consecutive year.
 
Our Partnership

Since beginning our partnership with the DAAF Foundation in 2022, QIC has proudly supported this not-for-profit First Nations organisation, which is owned and governed by over 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres. The Foundation celebrates the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Australia’s First Nations communities while providing a platform for emerging talent, businesses and the wider industry. 
 
In 2025, QIC sponsored three major NIFA categories - the Community Collaboration Award, the Wearable Art Award, and the Business Achievement Award. These awards celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers. Following the event, select pieces from the 2025 NIFA winners will be showcased at Canberra Centre in August 2025 and at Eastland in early 2026.
 
Beyond the NIFA, QIC’s support also contributes to the development of an e-commerce platform, helping emerging First Nation designers build sustainable businesses. The partnership includes the QIC First Nations Talent program, which offers valuable industry exposure to emerging artists, designers and models. Together, these initiatives create meaningful pathways for business growth, mentorship and broader market reach, contributing to the ongoing development of the First Nations fashion industry and businesses.
 
Our Commitment

Justin Welfare, QIC’s First Nations Affairs Lead, said of the partnership:

"We are proud to continue our partnership with the DAAF Foundation and IFP, supporting the NIFA initiative for the fourth consecutive year. Our collaboration builds on QIC’s proud history with the DAAF Foundation since 2022, supporting its mission to showcase and develop the rich cultural and artistic diversity of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres."

 

Meet the 2025 NIFA Winners
QIC proudly congratulates the exceptional winners of this year’s prestigious NIFA. Discover more about these talented designers and their inspiring contributions to the fashion industry.

QIC proudly congratulates the exceptional winners of this year’s prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). Discover more about these talented designers and their inspiring contributions to the fashion industry.
DAAF Event Article Image