Kahlia Roger, is a remarkable young model from the Wangkajunga community in the central Kimberley of WA. Despite the challenges of living remotely, she’s built a successful modelling career while staying connected to her culture and family.

Kahlia commutes two hours daily to work at Fitzroy Crossing School and has travelled around Australia for fashion events, self-funding her way to opportunities like Country to Couture. Her achievements include modelling for Mangkaja x Gorman, winning Kimberley Girl in 2022, and representing Letitia Shaw’s collection in Paris.

In addition to her modelling, Kahlia works with the Shooting Stars program, mentoring young girls and helping them engage with education and fashion. Her dedication and success make her a standout role model for young people in remote areas.

“Where do I start? Kahlia is a strong, smart and driven young woman. No matter what she puts her mind to – watch out world!” – Elaine George, 2024 NIFA Judge.

Simone Arnol,  is an Indigenous designer who seamlessly blends traditional practices of her ancestors with contemporary innovation. Her work is renowned for its commitment to sustainability, using recycled materials and traditional dye techniques to create vibrant textiles rich with cultural storytelling.  Her approach not only honours her culture but also addresses environmental and social issues. Simone is also dedicated to mentoring emerging Indigenous designers, providing invaluable support to foster new talent in the fashion industry. With her win, Simone accesses a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road.

“I have long admired the work of Simone Arnol as a designer, curator and creative. Her striking designs are underpinned by a genuine commitment to sustainability and she is leading the way on that front. Her pieces are stunning but also versatile and carry very rich storytelling.” – Yatu Widders Hunt, 2024 NIFA Judge.

Jay Jurrupula Rostron is a Kune, Rembarrnga, Kuninjku woman from Stone Country in West Arnhem Land. As a key artist at Babbarra Women’s Centre, she has dedicated much of her life to advocating for the environmental protection of the stone country around Kolorbidahdah.

Her design, ‘Namurre Boko,’ is a two-colour screen print measuring 70cm x 140cm. This piece marks Jay’s first screen printing work in the Babbarra Design collection and is the only design depicting Kune Songlines.

Jay’s innovative use of Rarrk (cross-hatching) blends traditional art practices with contemporary textile design, a technique she frequently employs to add depth and texture to her work.

The story of ‘Namurre Boko’ holds great significance for the people of Kolorbidahdah. Passed down through her paternal lineage, Jay is among the first female artists in her family to receive permission from her elders to depict this important story.

“Jay’s work is incredibly prolific. What stood out was her artistry in deep storytelling and meticulous attention to detail. I found myself captivated, able to spend hours exploring her creation and discovering new layers of the story each time I returned to it.” – Nimmi Premaratne, 2024 NIFA Judge.

The collaboration between Miimi and Jiinda and Unreal Fur began in 2023 when Unreal Fur approached them with the concept of creating a culturally distinctive capsule collection. They were impressed by Unreal Fur’s dedication to advancing a sustainable fashion industry in Australia and appreciated the family-run business ethos, which aligns with their own values.

A central focus of the collaboration was their commitment to giving back to the community. Together, as two Australian brands, they proudly supported the Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School, New South Wales’ first bilingual Aboriginal language school.

Both Lauren and Melissa were deeply involved in every stage of the process and production of the range. Their Cultural IP was paramount to the design process, and they felt culturally respected and honoured throughout.

From the beginning, they provided high-resolution imagery for textile printing and approved all samples, strike-offs, and unique details along the way.

This collaboration provided a valuable opportunity to create cultural discourse through their art. The original artwork, Girwaa, depicts ancestral birthing caves that are still cherished and cared for today. This artwork represents family, community, and connection, serving as a reminder of their shared origins and the importance of love, care, and respect, with a focus on unity.

“The pieces in this capsule collection are truly stunning and are highly coveted. But most importantly, the collaboration process was First Nations led and stayed true to First Nations design and relationship building protocols. The fact that the collaboration ensures that it is putting back into community is a great example of benefit sharing and keeping culture strong.” – Yatu Widders Hunt, 2024 NIFA Judge.

Lillardia has built her label from a small rural community in south-west NSW since 2019 where she works exclusively on Country. Studying fashion at TAFE she was taught by her trained Wiradjuri grandmother from a young age and carries out all of her own pattern drafting, grading, sampling and textile production. Her award-winning woven headpiece is inspired by her kinship line and features hand-turned silk roulade, freshwater mussel beads, silk thread, and seed. Lillardia uses waste dye and ink in her New South Wales studio, dedicating over 100 hours to the creation of this piece.

This woven headpiece reflects both her kinship and Country along the Marrambidya, incorporating elements of the midden through shell and seed. Lillardia is dedicated to keeping her culture alive and highlighting Country while addressing cultural, environmental, and social impacts. Her work consistently honours South West Wiradjuri practices through fashion and textiles.

“Lillardia’s headpiece, while rich in cultural significance, exudes modernity. The craftsmanship and precision in her work are evident, yet the piece’s beauty and wearability truly stand out. It possesses a strong editorial appeal. Lillardia is such a deserving winner in this category.” – Nimmi Premaratne, 2024 NIFA Judge.

Honouring exceptional success in both commercial and creative realms of textiles and fashion, this year’s Business Achievement Award is presented to Ngali by Denni Francisco. The label stands at the forefront of Indigenous fashion on an international scale, blending strong cultural expression with notable commercial prowess.

Ngali collaborates with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, translating their remarkable works in painting, photography, and artistic creation into wearable clothing and collectibles.

This recognition marks Ngali’s fourth nomination at the NIFA, and the first time the label has been awarded the Business Achievement Award. Previously, Ngali has received the Fashion Designer Award, acknowledging its significant contributions to advancing the Indigenous fashion sector and ongoing business development.

“I don’t think anyone can deny the incredible business success enjoyed by Ngali. They have created a unique and successful business model that is grounded in cultural values. I particularly like how the business model is designed to support and create broader economic benefit for First Nations artists. Ngali has a sophisticated style that is well respected across the Australian fashion industry and internationally.” – Yatu Widders Hunt, 2024 NIFA Judge.