Since time immemorial, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have expressed identity, belonging and ancestral knowledge through textile design. From hand-dyed cloths to bold contemporary prints, textiles are an evolving canvas of Country. They are a place where ancient stories are reimagined and retold, and where cultural memory is carried through thread, form and print.

Each year, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) spotlight this extraordinary creative practice through the Textile Design Award. This category recognises outstanding work grounded in cultural heritage, artistic innovation and technical skill.

Proudly supported by the RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles, which is ranked among The Business of Fashion’s Best Fashion Schools in the World, the award offers more than recognition. It provides a bespoke professional development experience tailored to the winning artist’s practice and goals. Over the past five years, RMIT has walked alongside First Nations artists in creative exchange, fostering artistic growth, cultural integrity and sustainable futures in textile design.

A Kune, Rembarrnga and Kuninjku woman from Stone Country in West Arnhem Land, Jay Rostron is a leading voice in the next generation of First Nations textile artists. Her award-winning design, Namurre Boko, is a bold two-colour screen print that honours her paternal Songlines. It marks her debut print in the Babbarra Design collection and is the only design depicting Kune Songlines.

Jay’s use of rarrk (cross-hatching) carries traditional visual language into new creative territory. Her work blends technique with ancestral storytelling, producing richly layered prints that speak of place, lineage and strength.

As part of her award, Jay is undertaking customised mentorship with RMIT, exploring expanded technical applications in screen printing and storytelling through design.

“Jay’s design speaks with incredible confidence. It holds deep knowledge and ancestral ties while embracing new possibilities in textile form. It has been a privilege to support her exploration and see how her story continues to unfold through cloth.” — RMIT School of Fashion and Textiles

“Jay’s work is an exciting glimpse into the future of First Nations textile design. Her voice is strong, her practice is grounded, and we’re thrilled to walk alongside her as her journey grows.” — Michelle Maynard, Indigenous Fashion Projects

1) Artist Jay Jurrupula Rostron – Babbarra Women’s Centre with model Jadene Croft, wearing her design, NIFA, 2024, Photo by Marley Morgan. 2) Jay Jurrupula Rostron, courtesy of Babbarra Women’s Centre.

With over 15 years of textile practice, Rowena Morgan’s work is a vibrant and powerful homage to her Kija ancestry and the ochre-toned landscapes of East Kimberley. Drawing on rocky riverbeds, pindan soil, native plants and ancestral knowledge, her prints are shaped by Country and community. Her evolving practice includes innovative techniques such as using recycled Styrofoam blocks for printing, carving and burning patterns to create textured surfaces.

Rowena’s 2023 award saw her collaborate with RMIT on garment pattern development, expanding her hand-printed fabrics into wearable forms.

“Working with Rowena was an extremely rich and enjoyable experience. We particularly enjoyed yarning with her and hearing about how she developed her print designs by drawing on culture and her own personal experiences on Country, such as painting and sharing stories with her Grandmother. The garments we developed responded not only to Rowena’s prints but also to the way people wear and make clothes within her community. The collaboration produced a range of fascinating insights into how garment patterns can act as shared mediums for exchange and adapting design approaches.” — Dr Remie Cibis and Chantal Kirby, RMIT

“Rowena’s practice is a beautiful balance of innovation and storytelling. The way she continues to evolve and experiment while holding her cultural voice at the centre is incredibly powerful.” — Michelle Maynard, Indigenous Fashion Projects

1) Rowena Morgan (designer) and her daughter Jordan wear Nangarri Designs, photo by Michael Jalaru Torres. 2) Nagula Jarndu artist Rowena Morgan blockprinting her fabric, photo by Michael Jalaru Torres.

From the coastal community of Yarrabah in Far North Queensland, Aunty Philomena Yeatman’s textile designs are deeply rooted in place, family and cultural continuity. Her work reflects the vibrant patterns, stories and symbolism of her Country, honouring generations of knowledge through cloth.

With support from RMIT, Aunty Philomena received tailored mentorship and an iPad to transition her practice into the digital space. These tools have since expanded her creative language.

“Receiving the NIFA Textile Design Award was both humbling and empowering. It not only recognised my work but also shone a light on the rich cultural storytelling embedded in our Yarrabah textile traditions.” — Aunty Philomena Yeatman

“I went to Yarrabah to meet Philomena and present the iPads. It was important to support her on Country in a way that respected her time, environment and needs. That level of care made a real difference.” — Dr Scott Mayson, RMIT

One of the proudest moments came when her granddaughter, Charvarnie Walsh, modelled Aunty Philomena’s designs for Marie Claire Australia. This moment brought intergenerational storytelling into the national spotlight.

“Seeing Aunty Philomena’s story shared so widely, and with such pride from her community, was incredibly moving. It’s a reminder that textile design is about much more than fabric — it’s about legacy.” reflected Michelle Maynard.

1) NIFA 2022, National Indigenous Fashion Awards, Shoot for marie claire, photo by Michael Jalaru Torres. 2) Scott Mayson and Philomena Yeatman, courtesy of RMIT.

The late Eunice Napanangka Jack was the inaugural recipient of the NIFA Textile Design Award and a revered artist from Ikuntji Artists in Haasts Bluff. A senior Luritja Pintubi woman, Eunice’s work carried the spirit of her Tjukurrpa, her Country and the visual memory of her people.

In her place, and in accordance with her wishes, a community workshop was delivered by RMIT staff. It focused on analogue screen-print development for emerging artists at Ikuntji.

“Working with the artists at Ikuntji Art Centre was incredible. I experienced ‘both ways learning’. Joyce Dixon described this as sharing language, stories and knowledge. She used her language in her first-ever print design, which we developed together.” — Dr Tassia Joannides, RMIT

“The experience was full of quiet reflection and deep listening. We slowed down our usual methods and responded to the pace of the artists and the rhythm of their lives.” — Dr Emma Lynas, RMIT

The result was a powerful tribute to Eunice’s vision. It was an expression of knowledge passed through community, creativity and shared storytelling.

“We continue to carry Eunice’s legacy forward with deep respect. Her impact on the award and her community reminds us what it means to lead with cultural strength.” — Michelle Maynard, Indigenous Fashion Projects.

1-2) Emma Lynas, Ikuntji Artists

A Ngen’giwumirri artist from Nauiyu, Kieren Karritpul, was the first recipient of the NIFA Textile Design Award. His work brings to life the flora, fauna and ceremonial traditions of his Country with bold contemporary techniques and storytelling motifs.

Kieren received a cash prize and remote support from RMIT during COVID restrictions. Introductions to textile printing and equipment were conducted virtually, with staff sharing material samples and remote mentoring to support Kieren’s creative experimentation.

“It was a joy to support Kieren’s introduction to digital textile design. We sent him visual guides and prints to help him explore how his stories might translate into different textile forms.” — Prof Robyn Healy, RMIT

His award-winning practice has since continued to flourish and is now internationally recognised for its dynamic blend of tradition and innovation.

“This award is about a whole community and enterprise. It is about sharing, exchanging knowledge and learnings, inspired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contemporary artists and designers. It is a coming together of textile stories and understandings, and an opportunity to explore a shared network of textile design.” — Prof Robyn Healy, RMIT

“Kieren’s journey set a tone that still guides us today – cultural strength, artistic vision and creative exchange. His story is a powerful part of the award’s legacy,” — Michelle Maynard, Indigenous Fashion Projects

1) Kieren Karritpul. 2) Fish Trap by Kieren Karritpul. 3) Design that Kieren Karritpul is developing with Dani Andre to translate into a digital print.

2025 – Finalists Announced

We are proud to announce the finalists for the 2025 NIFA Textile Design Award, each demonstrating exceptional creativity, cultural integrity and artistic vision. From Mparntwe, Rhonda Sharpe of Yarrenyty Arltere Artists continues to elevate soft sculpture and textile storytelling with bold, contemporary forms. Representing Yalanji Arts, Laurence Gibson, Karen Shuan and Greg Salt each bring distinct perspectives from their rainforest Country in Far North Queensland, drawing on deep ancestral knowledge and vibrant material traditions. From Ikuntji Artists in Haasts Bluff, Larissa Brumby and Joyce Dixon offer compelling works shaped by their connection to desert landscapes and Luritja culture, with Joyce continuing the legacy of her late mother, Eunice Napanangka Jack. Together, these finalists represent a powerful cross-section of First Nations textile design, celebrating community, Country and the future of Indigenous fashion.

The 2025 NIFA Textile Design Award recipient will be announced at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards ceremony in Darwin on 6 August. This annual gathering is a celebration of excellence, storytelling and the ever-evolving landscape of First Nations design.

“This next generation of textile designers is already reshaping the creative landscape. We’re incredibly proud to recognise and support each of them,” expressed Michelle Maynard.

For media enquiries, images or interview opportunities, please contact:
Indigenous Fashion Projects (DAAFF)
ifp@daaf.org.au | www.ifp.org.au
Instagram: @indigenousfashionprojects