NIFA 2024 Award Winners

This August, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) and Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) celebrated the creativity and innovation of Indigenous designers at the 2024 National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA).

Recognising and showcasing excellence across seven categories, the ceremony provided a unique platform for the Australian and international fashion communities to connect with the world’s oldest living cultures.

As part of our ongoing support for Indigenous creativity, QIC proudly sponsored three of the seven award categories, honouring remarkable achievements within the industry.

The 2024 NIFA Winners

Meet the 2024 NIFA winners, who have been recognised for their creativity, talent, and contribution to the industry. The seven deserving award recipients will now gain access to valuable industry exposure, mentoring opportunities, and financial support, which will be pivotal in the development of their artistic practice and business journeys. To find out more about the 2024 NIFA winners, click here.

Business Achievement Award, Supported by QIC

Winner: Ngali, Denni Francisco, Location - Melbourne, Victoria

This award for an individual or group, recognises leadership in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business, showing both creative and commercial success in textiles and fashion, and positively impacting the Indigenous fashion sector. Ngali became the first First Nations brand to present a solo runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week in 2023, generating significant praise. In the spirit of collaboration, Ngali works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists who showcase their talents through the mediums of painting, photography and artistic creation. Ngali translates these stunning works of art into easy to wear clothing and collectibles. This award marks Denni Francisco’s third NIFA win, after receiving the Fashion Designer Award in 2021 and 2022.

Community Collaboration Award, Supported by Canberra Centre (QIC)

Winner: Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda x Gilat Shani, Unreal Fur - Location: Nambucca Heads, New South Wales and Melbourne, Victoria

This award recognises strong, two-way relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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. This winning collaboration celebrated the shared values of Country, art and community. Through creative exchange, special garments were made, showcasing the beauty and wisdom of Gumbaynggirr culture on designs by a globally loved ethically focused Australian brand. Beginning in 2023, when Unreal Fur approached Miimi & Jiinda x Gilat Shani with the idea of creating a culturally distinctive capsule, underpinned by a passion to drive a stronger sustainable fashion industry here in Australia. At the forefront of the collaboration was a shared commitment to give back to community, together supporting the Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School - the first bilingual school of Aboriginal language in New South Wales.

Textile Design Award, Supported by RMIT

Winner: Jay Jurrupula Rostron, Bábbarra Women's Centre, Location - Maningrida, Northern Territory

This award celebrates and recognises an individual designer of textiles, including woven, knitted, dyed, printed or surface ornamented constructions. Winner, Jay Jurrupula Roston is a Kune, Rembarrnga, Kuninjku woman from Stone Country in West Arnhem Land. She is a member of Bábbarra Women's Centre. Her design, ‘Namurre Boko’, is a two-colour screen print design. It was created during workshops with Bobbie Ruben and the Bábbarra team in Maningrida in late 2022. and exposed onto screens in 2023. The design has  begun to be printed regularly, as part of the Bábbarra’s workflow. This is Jay’s first screen print design in the Bábbarra Women's Centre  collection and the only design depicting Kune Songlines.

Traditional Adornment Award, Supported by Helen Kaminski

Winner: Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, Location - Yarrabah, Queensland

For tens of thousands of years First Nations Peoples from around the continent have celebrated and expressed their cultures through traditional dress. This award shines a spotlight on the design of these items recognising an individual or group for the design of items that are created and worn to define or express culture. Philomena Yeatman teaches the youth of the Yarrabah community to keep the traditional weaving practice strong. She approaches the creation of traditional woven baskets with reverence for the methods passed down by her grandmothers and as a tribute to the skills of her ancestors. Philomena Yeatman’s baskets are used to adorn fashion collections either as baskets or small basket earrings. This marks Philomena’s second NIFA, having also received the 2022 Textile Design Award.

Fashion Designer Award, Supported by Country Road

Winner: Simone Arnol, Location - Queensland

Recognising an individual designer of original fashion apparel who has excelled both creatively and commercially, Simone Arnol won this award by pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation. Her work reflects a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, showcasing excellence and innovation in every aspect of the design and sewing process. Drawing inspiration from traditional dye techniques passed down through generations, Simone infuses her textiles with rich, earthy colours that speak to the beauty and diversity of Indigenous culture while using recycled material. 

Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, Supported by Franchesca Cubillo

Winner: Kahlia Rogers, Location - Broome/Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia

Kahlia was announced as the debut winner of this award, which is 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 one or more of the areas of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment and jewellery. Kahlia is a young inspiring woman and emerging model, living in Wangkajunga community, an hour and a half drive from Fitzroy Crossing, located in the central Kimberley of WA. What's most inspiring is her commitment to her community, culture and family. Kahlia remains on Country while she builds a successful modelling career, learning and developing and role modelling for others living remotely. 

Kahlia takes a two-hour bus everyday to get to work at the Fitzroy Crossing School and has had to fly and bus around Australia, and the world, to access fashion programs and events. Kahlia demonstrates  how  young people living in remote communities can aspire to have careers that see them travel broadly and learn new skills, yet still remain connected to their home, culture and family. 

Congratulations to all the award winners and outstanding nominees. To find out more about the 2024 NIFA winners, click here.