The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) is set to return to Larrakia Country this August, with 25 designers shortlisted across seven award categories.
The finalists can be found at the end of this post.
The awards will be announced at the NIFA sunset ceremony at the Deckchair Cinema on August 5, with the judging panel including Country Road creative director Lisa Friedl, MAARA Collective founder and creative director Julie Shaw, and Rowland Vision founder Lindyn Rowland. The ceremony will be broadcast nationally by principal media partner NITV.
The NIFA is run by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), a program of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation, which is marking its 20th anniversary this year. IFP manager Michelle Maynard said the awards remain a powerful moment for the sector.
"NIFA creates a space where First Nations designers and creatives are recognised and celebrated by their peers, communities and the wider industry,” Maynard said. “That acknowledgement is powerful.
“It's more than an award. It's about community, visibility and celebrating the continuing cultural knowledge, creativity and hard work behind every designer and artist. These moments can be transformative for creatives and continue to strengthen the Indigenous fashion sector as a whole.”
Alongside the awards, Country to Couture will for the first time expand to a two-night runway showcase, taking place on Sunday, August 2 and Monday, August 3 at Charles Darwin University's Danala Campus – an outdoor landscaped forecourt centred around a heritage boab tree. Danala means "dillybag" in Larrakia language.
The 11th edition of Country to Couture will present 21 First Nations collections across two shows.
Maynard said the expansion reflects the growth of First Nations fashion nationally.
"Country to Couture has grown into one of Australia's leading First Nations fashion events and one of the most important sector-building platforms in our sector. It provides valuable exposure, capacity building and professional development and a bridge to accessing broader industry opportunities,” she said.
DAAF Foundation community ambassador Jessica Mauboy, a Wakaman and KuKu Yalanji woman, said she is blown away by the creativity, storytelling and cultural pride every year.
“It's so exciting to see the community and excellence at the NIFA, and to see Country to Couture continue to grow across two nights,” Mauboy said.
The NIFA and Country to Couture form part of DAAF Foundation's broader August program on Larrakia Country, which also includes the 20th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, running from August 6 to 9 . Tickets to Country to Couture will be released on May 28 via the IFP website.
The 2026 NIFA shortlist
Textile Design Award | Supported by RMIT
This award celebrates an individual designer of textiles, including woven, knitted, dyed, printed or surface ornamented constructions. The winner receives a customised Textile Design Professional Development program with RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, tailored to the winning artist's requirements.
Nominees:
- Lorna Shuan — Mob: Kuku Yalanji, Location: Mandjal Dimbi / Mossman Gorge - Port Douglas, QLD, Affiliation: Yalanji Arts, Work: Kurriyala (Carpet Snake) textile print
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston — Mob: Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, Gangalu, Location: North Albury, NSW, Work: Hand-dyed silk organza
- Artists of Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art (collective) — Mob: Ngaanyatjarra + Pitjantjatjara, Location: Tjukurla, WA and Kaltukatjara, NT, Work: Silk painting
- Corin Corcoran — Mob: Weilwan, Location: Naarm / Coburg - Melbourne, VIC, Work: Pieces using recycled/found materials (feathers, bark, plastics, waste materials)
Traditional Adornment Award | Supported by Desart
This award recognises an individual or group for the design of items created and worn to define or express culture. Prize: $3,000 cash prize from Desart.
Nominees:
- Cassie Fisher Patterson — Mob: Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung), Location: Gunai Kurnai / Boisdale, VIC, Affiliation: Yanggurdi, Work: Echidna spine necklace
- Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni — Mob: Tiwi, Location: Wulirankuwu, Milikapiti, Tiwi Islands, NT, Affiliation: Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, Work: Tunga (bark basket) and parmijini (headband/armbands)
Wearable Art Award | Supported by Pacific Werribee
This award recognises an individual designer for the creation of a single worn item of clothing, accessory or piece of jewellery that demonstrates excellence in design, craft and artistic expression. Prize: $5,000 cash prize from Pacific Werribee.
Nominees:
- Julie Ashley — Mob: Rittharngu, Location: Wugularr / Beswick, NT, Affiliation: Djilpin Arts, Work: Woven wearable flower bouquet
- Samala Cronin (MumRed) — Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil, Location: Wathawurrung / Thomson, VIC, Work: The Milbi Dress (green)
- Lucy Simpson — Mob: Yuwaalaraay, Location: Gadigal/Wangal Country, Tempe, NSW, Affiliation: Gaawaa Miyay Designs, Work: Glass river mussel shell necklace (sand-cast glass on hand-twined fibre)
- Sarrita King X EDITION — Mob: Gurindji Waanyi, Location: Larrakia Country, Anula, NT, Work: Flow Long Cape Dress
Fashion Designer Award | Supported by Country Road
This award recognises an individual designer of original fashion apparel who has excelled both creatively and commercially. Prize: $5,000 cash prize or a 12-month industry mentorship with Country Road, covering areas such as marketing, product development, sales and finance, and sustainability.
Nominees:
- Delvene Cockatoo-Collins — Mob: Nunukul, Ngugi, Goenpul, Location: Goompi / Dunwich, Quandamooka Country, QLD
- Ebony Kruger (Ebony Noire) — Mob: Arrente, Location: Footscray, Naarm / Melbourne, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong Country, VIC
- Bianca Long (Jaru Girl / Milky Water Western) — Mob: Jaru (Kimberley), Location: Wyndham, Balanggarra Country, WA
- Samala Cronin (MumRed) — Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil, Location: Thomson, Wathawurrung Country, VIC
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award | Supported by Franchesca Cubillo
Named in honour of Franchesca Cubillo's mother, this award recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15–25 years excelling in the area of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment/jewellery or a fashion-related role. Prize: $3,000 cash prize.
Nominees:
- Tiesha Munnich-Hewitt — Mob: Wadjigan, Yawuru, Bardi Jawi, Karajarri, Gunggandji, Mamu, Location: Garramilla / Darwin, Larrakia Country, NT
- Jake Powers — Mob: Yawuru, Bardi & Kija, Location: Walmanyjun / Cable Beach, Broome, Yawuru Country, WA
- Zachary James O'Donnell — Mob: Kamilaroi, Location: Umina Beach, Darkinjung Country, NSW
Community Collaboration Award | Supported by QIC
This award recognises strong, two-way relationships between First Nations communities and the textile and fashion industry. Prize: $10,000 cash prize to be split between each collaborator, supported by QIC.
Nominees:
- Bábbarra Women's Centre x Tharangini Studio — Mob: Kunibidji, Kuninjku, Kune, Gurr-goni, Burrara, Location: Maningrida, Kunibidji Country, NT
- Bula'bula Arts x Black Cat Couture NT — Mob: Yolngu Nation, Location: Ramingining, NT
- Magpie Goose x Quandamooka Artists (Amanda Hayman) — Mob: Goenpul / Noonuccal / Ngugi, Location: Bowen Hills, Magandjin / Brisbane, QLD
- Koorie Heritage Trust x RMIT (Blak Design Program) — Location: Naarm / Melbourne, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, VIC
Business Achievement Award | Supported by Canberra Centre
This award recognises and celebrates leadership in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business showing both creative and commercial success in textiles and fashion. Prize: $5,000 cash prize, supported by Canberra Centre.
Nominees:
- Sarrita King and Tarisse King / KingKing Creative — Mob: Gurindji/Waanyi, Location: Anula, Garramilla / Darwin, Larrakia Country, NT
- David Leslie / Gali Swimwear — Mob: Kamilaroi, Location: Erskineville, Gadigal Country, NSW
- Ikuntji Artists / Ikuntji Designs — Mob: Luritja, Location: Ikuntji / Haasts Bluff, NT
- KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art) — Mob: Kimberley Region, Location: Rubibi / Broome, Yawuru Country, WA