5 AUGUST 2026
Davina Puruntatameri wearing pieces by Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni, and Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, NIFA 2026, Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres
Welcome to the National Indigenous Fashion Awards
Celebrating the innovation of Australia’s First Nations Peoples in fashion and textiles.
Launched in 2020, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), provide a vibrant and empowering platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector.
Recognising and showcasing excellence across seven categories, the award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures.
The NIFA is brought to you by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), a program from the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation. NIFA is supported by Australian Government Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support, Presenting, Showcase and Designer Travel Partner QIC, Travel Sponsor Nautilus Aviation, Production Partner Global Headquarters, Principal Media Partner NITV and award partners QIC, Pacific Werribee, Canberra Centre, Country Road, Franchesca Cubillo, RMIT, and Desart, with ticketing partner Darwin Fringe Festival, and Generous Supporters Terri Layman & Michael Sitzler.
In 2026 the prestigious awards include the:
- Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road
- Traditional Adornment Award, supported by Desart
- Community Collaboration Award, supported by QIC
- Business Achievement Award, supported by Canberra Centre
- Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT
- Wearable Art Award, supported by Pacific Werribee
- Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo
NIFA News
NIFA 2026 Nominations
Celebrating the Innovation of Australia's First Nations Peoples in Fashion and Textiles._ The National Indigenous Fashion Awards Return Who will you nominate this year?This year, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) return to Larrakia Country, bringing a...
Documenting Culture: An Evening with Indigenous Fashion
Documenting Culture: An Evening with Indigenous Fashion on Larrakia Country Words by Marley Morgan.Photography by Marley Morgan and Michael Jalaru Torres.It was a beautiful Larrakia evening, and the air was buzzing with creativity and connection. I had the incredible...
Under the Stars
Under the Stars Celebrating the 2025 National Indigenous Fashion Awards Words by | Lauren Rogers Image: Rena Ngalinggama Guyula, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, Traditional Adornment Award: Supported by Helen Kaminski, National Indigenous Fashion Awards, 2025, Photo by...
KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art), NIFA Business Achievement Award, supported by Canberra Centre, 2026, Photo by Leicolhn McKellar
NIFA over the years…
The inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) took place in 2020, and has since become an annual celebration, with the presitgeous awards ceremony taking place on Larrakia Country each August alongside the renowned Country to Couture runway and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.
With alumni winners going on to grace the covers of fashion magazines and international runways, the number of nominees each year continues to grow, as does our dedicated community of supporters.
NIFA 2026
NIFA 2025
NIFA 2024
NIFA 2023
NIFA 2022
NIFA 2021
NIFA 2020
The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) is brought to you by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), a program from the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) Foundation.
