Seven First Nations designers, artists and businesses have won awards at this year's National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP).
The winners were chosen from a pool of 25 finalists from across the country, honoured across seven award categories at the ceremony on Larrakia Country.
Hosted by IFP alongside Country to Couture, NIFA provides a national platform for First Nations creatives while building pathways for designers and artists to grow sustainable careers.
IFP manager Michelle Maynard said she remains proud to offer NIFA as a platform for deserved acknowledgement of First Nations excellence.
"NIFA celebrates the diversity and strength of the First Nations fashion community, recognising designers whose work is shaping the future of Indigenous fashion while remaining grounded in culture," Maynard said. "Each of these designers represent thousands of hours, years, lifetimes taken to master their craft."
Megan Waters returned as host for a third consecutive year, welcoming finalists, industry leaders, artists, designers, partners and supporters to the evening, which combined storytelling and performance with the awards presentations.
Winners were selected by a judging panel comprising Country Road's Lisa Friedl, MAARA Collective's Julie Shaw and Rowland Vision's Lindyn Rowland, who each assessed entries on creativity, cultural integrity, innovation and industry impact.
On the design side, Quandamooka woman Delvene Cockatoo-Collins took out the Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road. The Goompi-based designer will undertake a 12-month mentorship with the retailer.
Friedl described Cockatoo-Collins as a talented contemporary curator of craft, provenance and storytelling.
"Delvene's work channels culture and story through a timeless yet relevant fashion lens," Friedl said. "Her collection is beautifully balanced, with a restrained yet effective use of design elements."
IFP senior program producer Lauren Rogers said the awards reflected the depth and diversity of First Nations creative practice.
"Every creative journey begins with Country, with knowledge, with materials and with stories that are carried forward through generations," Rogers said. "Across every category, we see culture expressed in different ways, through textiles, adornment, fashion, collaboration, business and leadership."
Winners will receive industry mentorship, professional development, financial support and access to partnerships designed to support sustainable careers, with award partners including Country Road, Desart, Franchesca Cubillo, RMIT, QIC, Pacific Werribee and Canberra Centre.
Principal media partner NITV will broadcast the NIFA ceremony nationally in October, before the event joins previous years' broadcasts on SBS On Demand.
2026 NIFA winners
Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT
Prize: Customised Textile Design Professional Development placement with RMIT's School of Fashion and Textiles
Winner: Lillardia Briggs-Houston
Mob: Wiradjuri, Yorta Yorta, Gangalu
Location: North Albury, NSW
Work: Hand-dyed silk organza
Traditional Adornment Award, supported by Desart
Prize: $3,000 cash prize
Winner: 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
Prize: $5,000 cash prize
Winner: 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)
Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road
Prize: $5,000 cash prize or a 12-month mentorship with Country Road
Winner: Delvene Cockatoo-Collins
Mob: Nunukul, Ngugi, Goenpul
Location: Goompi / Dunwich, Quandamooka Country, QLD
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo
Prize: $3,000 cash prize
Winner: Jake Powers
Mob: Yawuru, Bardi & Kija
Location: Walmanyjun / Cable Beach, Broome, Yawuru Country, WA
Community Collaboration Award, supported by QIC
Prize: $10,000 cash prize, split between collaborators
Winner: Bábbarra Women's Centre x Tharangini Studio
Mob: Kunibidji, Kuninjku, Kune, Gurr-goni, Burrara
Location: Maningrida, Kunibidji Country, NT
Business Achievement Award, supported by Canberra Centre
Prize: $5,000 cash prize
Winner: KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art)
Mob: Kimberley Region
Location: Rubibi / Broome, Yawuru Country, WA