In this NAIDOC Week Special, Ragtrader shows how the fashion industry is supporting First Nations culture and community through collaborations, events and storytelling.
The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) is set to take place at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) next month, with organisers confirming 38 shortlisted finalists are in the running to win one of seven prizes.
The finalists can be found at the end of this post.
Winners will be announced at the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin on August 6, with the weighted decision now lying with the judging panel, which includes Cox Inall Ridgeway general manager Yatu Widders-Hunt, mixed-cultural First Nations artist Lisa Waup and Country Road head of design across accessories Jessica Poynter.
The NIFA is run by Indigenous Fashion Projects, with manager Michelle Maynard saying all the applications this year were “outstanding”, and congratulating all who entered.
“The pool of applicants has grown annually since it began and is a testament to the expansiveness of activity in our sector,” Maynard said. “It’s not just a hobby. We are seeing viable careers and futures being built that enable Indigenous wealth creation through the language of fashion, grounded in cultural integrity and knowledge systems.
“This sector is important and needs to be acknowledged and supported in its potential, and in the role it plays in creating brighter futures, out of the deficit situation that is still current.”
Beyond the awards ceremony, the NIFA brings with it business development, financial and mentorship support from leading fashion industry heavyweights, including Helen Kaminski, RMIT, QIC, and Country Road.
Since 2020, Country Road has been a proud presenter of the Fashion Designer Award. Brand sustainability manager Fabia Pryor said she and her team are always blown away by the cultural expression, storytelling and design of the nominees.
“We look forward to connecting with this year’s Fashion Designer award winner and being a part of their journey,” Pryor said. “Supporting First Nations designers through the NIFA, Country to Couture, and broader IFP programs is vital for the future of the Australian fashion industry.”
The DAAF is a near-week-long fashion event, which also includes IFP’s Country to Couture runways, held on August 5, as well as the fair itself held from August 7 to 10.
The 2025 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.
Prize: Textile Design Professional Development undertaken with globally recognised RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, ranked among the Business of Fashion's ‘The Best Fashion Schools in the World’. The prize is tailored to the winning artist's requirements.
Nominees:
• Gregory Salt, Yalanji Arts - Mob: Yalanji - Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Joyce Dixon, Ikuntji Artists - Mob: Pintupi-Luritija - Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Karen Shuan, Yalanji Arts - Mob: Kuku Yalanji - Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Laurence Gibson, Yalanji Arts - Mob: Kuku Yalanji - Location: Port Douglas, Queensland
• Larissa Brumby, Ikuntji Artists - Mob: Ngaanyatjarra - Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Rhonda Sharpe, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists - Mob: Luritja - Location: Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Traditional Adornment Award | Supported by Helen Kaminski
This award encourages the creation and acknowledgement of traditional cultural regalia, and shines a spotlight on the design of items created and worn to define or express culture.
Prize: The winning artist will receive a $3000 cash prize from Helen Kaminski.
Nominees:
• Cassie Leatham, Yanggurdi - Mob: DjaDjaWurrung / Daungwurrung - Location: Boisdale, Victoria
• Jenny Fraser - Mob: Migunburri Yugambeh - Location: Lismore, New South Wales
• Ngaire Pakai - Mob: Wiradjuri - Location: Blackalls Park, New South Wales
• Rena Ngalinggama Guyula, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts - Mob: Djambarrpuyngu - Location: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
• Yaraan Bundle - Mob: Gunditjmara - Location: Black Range, Victoria
Wearable Art Award | Supported by Eastland
This award celebrates design, artistry, construction, wearability and cultural expression, recognising 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: The winning artist will receive a $5000 cash prize from Eastland.
Nominees:
• Andrew Wanamilil, Bula'bula Arts - Mob: Yolngu - Location: Ramingining, Northern Territory
• Cassie Leatham, Yanggurdi - Mob: DjaDjaWurrung / Daungwurrung - Location: Boisdale, Victoria
• Cathy Ward, Waringarri Arts - Mob: Miriwoong - Location: Miriwoong Country (Kununurra, Western Australia)
• Cleonie Quayle, CQ Aboriginal Jewellery - Mob: Malyingyapa Barkindj - Location: Merrylands West, New South Wales
• Ellen Trevorrow - Mob: Ngarrindjeri - Location: Meningie, South Australia
• Julieanne Gitjpulu Malibirr, Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts - Mob: Ganalbingu - Location: Arnhem Land, Northern Territory
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: The winner will receive a $5,000 prize or a 12-month industry mentorship with Country Road. The mentorship program is tailored to the needs and focus areas defined by the mentee, covering areas such as marketing, product development, sales and finance and sustainability. A $5,000 cash prize is offered as an alternative to the mentorship, where the mentee requires investment in business related travel, capital, or operational expenses.
Nominees:
• Clair Helen Parker, Clair Helen - Mob: Tiwi - Location: Perth, Western Australia
• Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda - Mob: Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung Dunghutti - Location: Highland Place, New South Wales
• Natisha Tabua, Off the Plantation - Mob: Kalkugal Nation - Location: Melbourne, Victoria
• Samala Cronin, MumRed - Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil - Location: Thompson, Victoria
• Tahnee Edwards, Gammin Threads - Mob: Yorta Yorta, Taungurung - Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award | Supported by Franchesca Cubillo
Named in honour of Franchesca Cubillo’s mother, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15-25 years, who is excelling in the area of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art and/or adornment/jewellery.
Prize: The winner will receive a $3000 cash prize.
Nominees:
• Cindy Rostron - Mob: Bunungku - Location: West Arnhem, Northern Territory
• Elliot (Mango) Aplin - Mob: Waanyi, Gangalidda, Garawa - Location: Brisbane, Queensland
• Jake Powers - Mob: Bardi, Yawuru and Kija - Location: Broome, Western Australia
• Tiesha Munnich - Mob: Wadjigan/Yawuru/Bardi/ Jawi / Karajarri/ Mamu / Gunggandji - Location: Darwin, Northern Territory
Community Collaboration Award | Supported by Canberra Centre
This award recognises strong, two-way relationships between First Nations communities and the textile and fashion industry, where social and economic benefits flow to communities, and where First Nations peoples’ agency in the collaboration process is front and centre.
Prize: A $10,000 cash prize, to be split between each collaborator, from Canberra Centre
Nominees:
• Djilpin Arts: Djilpin Arts artists: Julie Ashley, Noreena Ashley, Rita Cameron, Evangeline Wilson, Desleigh Sheilds, Jessie Ashley, with collaborators: Kate Sale - Kate Sale Jewellery; Fiona Gavino - Fibre Artist; and Fleur Parry - Art Centre Manager.. - Mob: Wagilak/Rittharngu (Djilpin Arts artists) - Location: Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory
• Wendy Hubert, Juluwarlu. Collaborator: Emily Wright, Nancybird - Mob: Yindjibarndi (Wendy Hubert) - Location: Roebourne, Western Australia
• Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts x Helen Kaminski. Collaborators: Julie Bukandjarri, Gary Bishop, Anna Ramatha, Marcia Mawulawuy, Leonie Guyula, Megan Guyula, Trevor van Weeren, Noreen Matay, Linda Gagati, Michelle Banalinydju, Rebecca Gamadala, Mavis Wuluku, Lucy Wanapuyngu, Kathy Guyule, Phoebe Hyles, Julieanne Gitjpulu, Joan Milwini. - Mob: Yolŋu (Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts artists) - Location: Gapuwiyak, Northern Territory
• Gina Bundle and community members - Mob: Bidwell, Jerrigah, Walbunga, Djiringanj Yuin/Monaro - Location: Mickleham, Victoria
• David Leslie, GALI Swimwear. Collaborators: Jake Simon, IYDA & Michal Nicolas, TEAMM8 - Mob: Kamilaroi (David Leslie), Worimi-Biripi (Jake Simon) - Location: Erskineville, New South Wales
• Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association x Tiwi Artists - Mob: Tiwi - Location: Melville Island, Northern Territory
Business Achievement Award | Supported by QIC
This award recognises and celebrates leadership in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business showing both creative and commercial success in textiles and fashion, positively impacting the Indigenous fashion sector.
Prize: The winner of the Business Achievement Award will receive a $5000 cash prize to support them in taking their next step in business.
Nominees:
• Magpie Goose, Amanda Hayman and Troy Casey - Mob: Wakka Wakka | Kalkadoon - Location: Brisbane, Queensland
• GALI swimwear, David Leslie - Mob: Kamilaroi - Location: Erskineville, New South Wales
• Ikuntji Artists - Mob: Luritja-Pintupi - Location: Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory
• Marley Morgan Photography, Marley Morgan - Mob: Wiradjuri/Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay - Location: Glenreagh, New South Wales
• Miimi & Jiinda, Melissa Greenwood - Mob: Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung Dunghutti - Location: Highland Place, New South Wales
• MumRed, Samala Cronin - Mob: Butchulla, Woppaburra, Lardil - Location: Wathawurrong (Thompson, VIC)