Indigenous Fashion Projects has unveiled a record number of award finalists for its National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) and a record number of participants for its Country to Couture runway show.
Both events will be held in August alongside the foundation’s Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), with more than 60 nominees announced for NIFA and 23 labels set to walk across two separate runways.
DAAF artistic director and Eastern Arrernte visual artist Shilo McNamee said First Nations fashion is growing and commanding attention locally and internationally.
“We are so excited to break records this year,” McNamee said. “These events are recognised globally and in Australia’s Indigenous communities for celebrating and propelling designers to new heights while maintaining an authentic and grassroots feel.
“Both are wonderful platforms that delight audiences and see First Nations fashion and textile designers – at all levels of career development – experience the industry first-hand.
“These are special fashion events steeped in over 60,000 years of culture and heritage, but also showcase some of the most contemporary designs in the country.”
First launched in 2020, the NIFA is proudly presented by IFP and supported by the Northern Territory Government.
Country Road sponsors the Fashion Designer Award which offers the winner a 12-month industry mentorship.
Country Road head of design for womenswear Nimmi Premaratne welcomed the company’s fourth year of sponsoring the awards.
“It’s been an honour to celebrate and learn from the amazing talent and creativity of First Nations designers,” Premaratne said.
“We look forward to working with the 2023 Fashion Designer winner and developing a long-term relationship built on listening, understanding, and sharing. Our mentorship caters to the individual needs of the designer, and can include areas such as product development, marketing, sales and more."
The six NIFA winners will be announced as part of the sunset awards ceremony at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema, with audiences invited to buy a ticket to join the celebration.
NITV will return as the official broadcaster for the ceremony. The two events, alongside DAAF, will take place from August 8 to 13.
2023 National Indigenous Fashion Award nominees
Traditional Adornment Award - supported by the NT Government
Prize: a cultural exchange opportunity of the winner’s design and choosing, to the value of $2500.
Nominees:
- Cassie Leatham, Yanggurdi
- Debra Beale, B-Original
- Emma Robertson, Emma Robertson Designs
- Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts Artists
- Jessica Hunter, KIYA
- Krystal Hurst, Gillawarra Arts
- Madeline Hope-Hodgetts, Yapa Mali
- Narelle Osborne
- Samala Cronin
Community Collaboration Award - supported by Canberra Centre
Prize: a $10,000 cash prize to be split between each collaborator supported by Canberra Centre.
Nominees:
- Cassandra Pons, Lazy Girl Lingerie X Caleb Nichols-Mansell
- Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts X Aly de Groot
- Ikuntji Artists X MFPR
- Joyce Crombie X Jean Barr-Crombie, Red Ridge the Label
- Nathan McGuire, Mob in Fashion X Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Delvene CockatooCollins, and Cassie Leatham
- Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct X Simone Arnol
Business Achievement Award - supported by DAAF
Prize: a $3000 cash prize and customised business mentoring development.
Nominees:
- Amanda Hayman, Magpie Goose
- Carmen Jackson, Carmen Jackson Art
- Cassandra Pons, Lazy Girl Lingerie
- David Leslie, Gali Swimwear
- Ikuntji Artists
- Jessica Johnson, Nungala Creative
- Juluwarlu Art Group
- Kristy Dickinson, Haus of Dizzy
- Nathan McGuire, Mob in Fashion
Textile Design Award - supported by RMIT
Prize: ‘Textile Design Professional Development’ undertaken with RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles. The prize is tailored to the winning artist's requirements.
Nominees:
- Alison Napurulla Multa, Ikuntji Artists
- Carmen Jackson, Carmen Jackson Art
- Doreen Lane, Ikuntji Artists
- Edna Ambrym, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct
- Haylee Dodd, Ikuntji Artists
- Jessica Johnson, Nungala Creative
- Karen Shuan, Yalanji Arts
- Kylie Caldwell
- Laurence Gibson, Yalanji Arts
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston
- Lorna Shuan, Yalanji Arts
- Naomy Briston, Numus Designs
- Pam Brown, Ikuntji Artists
- Patricia Marrfurra McTaggart, Merrepen Arts
- Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct
- Rhonda Sharpe, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
- Roseranna Larry, Ikuntji Artists
- Rowena Morgan, Nagula Jarndu
- Vanessa Cannon, Yalanji Arts
- Virgillia Multa, Ikuntji Artists
- Walter Jugadai, Ikuntji Artists
Wearable Art Award - supported by Robina Town Centre
Prize: a $5000 cash prize from Robina Town Centre.
Nominees:
- Cassie Leatham, Wild Blak Arts, The River Reed Dress
- Debra Beale, B-Original, Eco Dyed Raffia, Found Coral Sea plant earrings and Necklace set.
- Jessica Hunter, KIYA, Cycloid Weave Pattern Boot
- Jessica Johnson, Nungala Creative, Custom jacket for Jessica Mauboy for Sydney World Pride 2023
- Kristy Dickinson, Haus of Dizzy, Sea Glass ‘Woman’ Heart Hoop Earrings
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Coolamon Dress
- Milari Barker, Membrane, SKINSHIP Body Piece
- Naomy Briston, Numus Designs, Dilly bag dreaming
- Narelle Osborne, Yungkuuli (Black Swan)
- Paul McCann, Coronation Gown
- Rhonda Sharpe, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, Dillybag
Fashion Designer Award - supported by Country Road
Prize: a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road, 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. The mentorship can be delivered in person and online, with Country Road supporting travel expenses up to $5,000.
Nominees:
- Carmen Jackson, Carmen Jackson Art
- Cassandra Pons, Lazy Girl Lingerie
- Cheryl Creed, Murrii Quu Couture
- Debbie Lee/King, Koori Threads
- Debra Beale, B-Original
- Jessica Johnson, Nungala Creative
- Kylie Caldwell
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston
- Naomy Briston, Numus Designs
- Paul McCann
Country to Couture 2023 participants - Supported by NT Government and Country Road
Show 1:
- Bábbarra Women's Centre, ‘Bábbarra x Raw Cloth x Yawkyawk’
- DandalooSu, by Su Lousick, ‘Ode to The Song, Why I Wear Black, by Johnny Cash’
- Injalak Arts Centre
- JAG X Lucy Simpson, ‘Of Place’
- Jedindi, by Jedess Hudson, ‘Bijarril: To Dream’
- Juri Creations, by Corina Jadai, ‘Djarli’
- Nagula Jarndu, ‘Balu Burugun’ (Plants From Country)
- Numus Designs, by Naomy Briston, ‘Larrakia Gulumoerrgin Seasons’
- Datlarwa Designs, by Chantelle Amos, ‘Gun-gwa Gwoyelwa Gulumoerrgin’ (This is Larrakia Country)
- Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, ‘Immersion’
- Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, ‘Tharrama’ (Smile)
- Yinjaa-Barni Art, ‘Silk Collection by JinaJina’
Show 2:
- Anindilyakwa Arts, ‘Bush Dye Capsule Collection’
- Ardi'ol Arts, ‘Bardi Way’
- Gwarli Nangala, by Joanne Gwarli Nangala, ‘Gwarli Nangala’
- Hope Vale Art & Culture Centre x QUT, ‘Gumbiil, String, The Ties That Bind us Together’
- Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation, ‘Ikuntji x Edition’
- Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, ‘llwempe’
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston, ‘Walumarra’
- Miimi & Jiinda, by Melissa Greenwood and Lauren Jarrett, ‘Burraaba’ (Unearth)
- Tiwi Designs x Ossom, ‘Flow and Go’
- Wendy Hubert x Nancybird in Collaboration with Juluwarlu Art Group
- Yapa Mali, by Dhiyal Dhun and Maddy Hodgetts, ‘Yapa Mali