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Nominations are now open for the inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards!

02 April 2020
Culture and Capability
Beach shore picture taken from above

Providing a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers.

The vision of the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFAs) is to create and develop an event that provides a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector.

The inaugural NIFAs is proudly presented by the  Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) and has grown out of the success of the Country to Couture fashion runway event that is held every August as part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) program. 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 four years, and places Darwin as the nation’s beating heart of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and fashion.

Australian Indigenous 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 NIFAs provide capacity building opportunities for Indigenous Art Centres, emerging Indigenous fashion and textile designers, and recognise excellence in the industry.

Categories in the inaugural NIFAs include:

  • Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art Award
  • Fashion Design Award
  • Textile Design Award
  • Community Collaboration Award
  • Environmental and Social Contribution Award
  • Special Recognition Award

NIFAs will award a combined prize value of $60,000!

Prizes will include promotion, support and development opportunities, travel, and cash. The award ceremony will be held on 5 August 2020, and will showcase collections and designs from Australia’s leading First Nations designers and artists. It is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures.

We now welcome you to nominate a designer, artist, or yourself!

Nominations close 31 May 2020.