The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) shone brightly in Darwin on August 7, celebrating the vibrant talent of First Nations designers. As part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s cultural week, the event championed the remarkable creativity within the Indigenous fashion industry.
With 36 finalists vying for recognition across seven categories, this year’s awards showcased an impressive range of traditional and contemporary designs. Hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and supported by the Northern Territory Government and Northern Territory Major Events Company, the evening was a tribute to the rich stories and techniques embedded in Indigenous fashion.
The judging panel, including Yatu Widders-Hunt, Elaine George, Lisa Waup, and Nimmi Premaratne, had the tough job of assessing the nominations from an incredible line up.
This year’s awards introduced the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, celebrating the next generation of talent. Yawaru woman Kahlia Rogers took home this inaugural honour, marking a proud moment for her and her community.
Among the evening’s highlights was Simone Arnol, who won the Fashion Designer Award, sponsored by Country Road. Arnol’s designs, known for their blend of sustainability and cultural storytelling, impressed the judges with rich colours and innovative use of traditional techniques.
The winners will now have the opportunity to showcase their work at QIC centres in Canberra and Eastland, thanks to continued support from QIC.
We celebrate these exceptional designers and look forward to seeing their work continue to inspire and shape the future of fashion.
Here are some of our favourite looks from the night.
As the holiday lights twinkle, Casper Magazine invites you to sparkle with a twist. Your impeccable taste and loyalty have been the pièce de résistance in our journey of showcasing the crème de la crème of conscious living and avant-garde design.
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So, pop the champagne and raise a toast to a holiday season filled with more than just good cheer. Here’s to a new year of turning heads and challenging norms, together.
The Casper Magazine Team ❤️
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