Empowering futures through the language of fashion.
Photo by Marley Morgan
Meet Indigenous Fashion Projects
Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) is changing the landscape of Australian fashion, supporting a thriving and inclusive Indigenous fashion sector, and building a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuous living cultures, a vast continent made up of over 250 diverse Countries, each with unique language groups, cultural traditions, and artistry. Here, First Nations Peoples have been creating for over 60,000 years, since time immemorial.
Contemporary First Nations designers are embedding these ancient stories and cultural practices in their work, enriching the experience of design, and redefining how fashion can be created and shared.
IFP celebrates the self-determination, and elevation of Indigenous voices, empowering First Nations people to successfully pursue their fashion career aspirations.
Our programs and platforms are building the foundations for sustainable fashion futures, with a commitment to cultural integrity, artistic innovation, and community empowerment.
IFP is grounded in grassroots First Nations communities across Australia, being established and facilitated by the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation.
IFP notably hosts the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (aka NIFA), and the Country to Couture runway, marking the largest annual showcase of Indigenous fashion in Australia.
OUR APPROACH
We celebrate cultural expression, and the rich and vibrant First peoples of this Country.
We approach our work with deep listening, responding to the needs of our community. With care and compassion, we embrace our community creating systems of support and empowerment that nurture the foundations for long, successful and sustainable futures.
We represent innovative changemakers who are building a First Nations Fashion and Textiles sector, changing lives, and impacting First Nations intergenerational wealth. We advocate for an inclusive sector, grounded in cultural ethics, equality and systems of governance and safety.
We believe in innovation, creative thinking and practice, and finding new ways to influence change and create opportunity for First Nations people to thrive.
WE VALUE
Cultural Safety
Systems and structures that honor cultural knowledge and identity.
Integrity
Protecting Indigenous Cultural IP and cultural collective ownership.
Empowerment
Building Indigenous Agency, facilitating indigenous leadership and enterprise.
Elevation
Lifting Indigenous Voices, promoting and elevating Indigenous innovation
Connection
Collective and collaborative sector engagement, honoring cultural connections
Inclusivity
Accessible and decentralised programs and platforms for remote and regional communities
Innovation
Supporting artistic and cultural practice and enterprise, presenting contemporary cultural expression
IFP News
Show 2 | Meet the Designers
Imprints and Memory - Seasons of the Land, Waters and Sky.Kahlia Rogers wears pieces by Marnin Studio, Photo by Marley MorganImprints and Memory - Seasons of the Land, Waters and Sky.Kahlia Rogers wears pieces by Marnin Studio, Photo by Marley MorganImprints and...
Responsibility to Country
_ Responsibility to Country First Nations Leadership Shaping the Future of Australian FashionWords by | Lauren RogersLuluJaru, Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres Responsibility, Reciprocity and Cultural Continuity This week at Australian Fashion Week, we gathered at the...
Pathways Forward: Culture, Creativity and the Future of First Nations Fashion
Pathways Forward: Culture, Creativity and the Future of First Nations FashionWords | Lauren Rogers Banner Image | Helen and Shanita, Courtesy of Yarrenyty Arltere Gathering on Gadigal Country, a Week With AFW This week, First Nations designers from across the...