The winners of the Indigenous Fashion Project’s (IFP) National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) have been revealed.
The seven winners and one highly commended were chosen from a finalist pool of 38, with the overall pool of applicants has grown annually since the awards were launched in 2020.
IFP manager Michelle Maynard said it is wonderful to shine the light on the design skill and talent across First Nations communities.
“NIFA is such an incredibly important evening to be part of,” Maynard said. “You get to share in the discovery and awe of the vibrant design landscape, the beautiful and diverse designers, artists, and their stories.
“You really get to feel the depth of cultural connection and belonging being articulated through textiles and fashion, whilst witnessing the impact of the awards, as the winners share the emotion of what it means to them.”
The NIFA winners were announced at the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin last night, with the judging panel including 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.
On the business side, Miimi & Jiinda founder Melissa Greenwood took home the Business Achievement Award, supported by QIC.
Miimi & Jiinda is a designer women’s fashion label with price points in the mid three figure range.
The label was sparked from the relationship between Melissa and her mother Lauren Jarrett, with a desire to share their Gumbaynggirr culture with the world. The brand has collaborated with mainstream brands such as Adairs, Seed and Jurlique.
The fashion designer award, supported by Country Road, was handed to Clair Helen Parker, a Tiwi woman who makes bespoke wearable art and ready-to-wear pieces.
Rhonda Sharpe from Yarrenyty Arltere Artists in the North Territory scored the Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT. Sharpe creates her fabric which she uses to make soft sculptures, clothes, bags, and jewelry from recycled woolen blankets, stitched with wool, cotton, and emu feathers.
Bunungku woman from Maningrida, Cindy Rostron won the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo. Rostron is a model and youth leader.
The Wearable Art Award, supported by Eastland, was given to Cleonie Quayle, a Malyingyapa Barkindj woman from Merrylands West who designed a ‘Jacaranda Seed Pod Mini Dress that comprises more than 700 individually hand-lacquered seed pods, each trimmed with gold foil.
Djambarrpuyngu woman Rena Ngalinggama Guyula won the Traditional Adornment Award, supported by Helen Kaminski. Guyula is a member of the Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts in Arnhem Land, who made a wearable piece called Gay’wu, which is made from bush string and uses fibre from the inner bark of the Kurrajong tree.
Finally, the Community Collaboration Award, supported by the Canberra Centre, was awarded to Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association and Tiwi Artists, thanks to their pair’s ‘Parlini Jilamara Parlingarri’, a capsule collection of nine historic fabric designs by artists working at the Tiwi arts organisation Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association as a community fashion collaboration.
NIFA judges also named Djilpin Arts artists’ collaboration with Kate Sale & Fiona Gavino as highly commended.
These recipients will have access to industry partnerships, experience and financial support from notable industry leaders including Helen Kaminski, RMIT and QIC.
Parker, who won the Fashion Designer Award, will have the opportunity to undergo a 12-month mentorship with Country Road, tailored specifically to her desired focus areas, covering aspects such as marketing, product development, sales, finance and sustainability.
NIFA Judge and Country Road’s head of design Jessica Poynter said Parker’s connection to Indigenous elements and the transformative nature of wearable art “radiates through every piece she creates.”
“Her powerful statement describing her designs as a means of cultural expression really resonated with me,” Poynter said. “That sentiment carries through in the textiles, stories, and spirit of her work, reminding us that fashion can be a living canvas of identity and heritage.”
Parker said she is honoured to receive the award.
“Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to mastering my craft to share my culture and create pieces that express identity and lift people’s spirits,” Parker said. “Fashion is a powerful vessel for change, and while I’m still on my journey, this recognition feels like the start of something bigger, a step toward sparking change and empowering others through creativity and community.”
The awards took place following the 10-year Anniversary of Country to Couture, another event which took place during the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) this year. Country to Couture involved two runway shows showcasing 21 collections.