On the evening of 6 August 2025, the Deckchair Cinema in Darwin shimmered beneath a velvet sky. More than 400 guests gathered outdoors, surrounded by the hum of Country, to honour the sixth National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). What unfolded was far more than an awards ceremony. It was a night of kinship, creativity, and cultural expression – where ancient knowledge systems and contemporary fashion met under the stars. 

For six years now, NIFA has grown into a nationally significant platform – a place where First Nations voices are celebrated, stories are honoured, and innovation is elevated. It has become a circle of recognition, integrity, and empowerment, where the resilience of culture is carried forward through design.

As Michelle Maynard, Manager of Indigenous Fashion Projects, reflected:
“The calibre of work we witnessed this year was exceptional. Our judging panel was deeply moved by the creativity, innovation, and storytelling strength woven into every submission. Each winner represents the resilience and brilliance of First Nations design.”

Each award represented more than achievement. Each one was a statement of self-determination, a reflection of cultural integrity, and an act of empowerment.

Rhonda Sharpe, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, transformed discarded wool into dyed and stitched blanket sculptures. Her works carried the weight of struggle and the joy of family, turning upcycling into a story of triumph.

From Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, Rena Ngalinggama Guyula wove her exquisite gay’wu (string bag), embodying ceremony, creation stories, and the continuity of ancestral practice.

Cleonie Quayle crafted her Jacaranda Seed Pod Mini Dress, layering more than 700 pods into a lacquered garment – a reclamation of nature and high fashion entwined.

Community came alive through Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, who revived Tiwi fabric designs from the 1980s, bridging generations with the wisdom of Tiwi artists and the strength of cultural collaboration.

Warm recognition was given to Djilpin Arts, highly commended for the ‘Wagilak Sisters’ fine woven wire jewellery – shimmering testaments to the strength of working together.

Melissa Greenwood, Miimi and Jiinda, was recognised for building a powerhouse art and fashion label, carrying Gumbaynggirr culture into the world while holding true to sustainability and community.

From Western Australia, Clair Helen Parker received the Fashion Designer Award for her label Clair Helen – a vision blending Tiwi heritage with contemporary silhouettes and strong commercial sensibility.

And youth was powerfully present through Cindy Rostron, recipient of the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award. From Arnhem Land to international runways, she stands as a reminder of cultural pride that does not waver.

Photos by Michael Jalaru Torres

At Deckchair Cinema, as palms swayed in the night breeze, laughter rose, tears of pride fell, and the glow of community radiated across the amphitheatre. Each award was more than recognition – it was a story, a foundation stone in a thriving, sustainable Indigenous fashion and textiles sector.

“NIFA has become a platform that elevates First Nations voices and recognises achievements that are visionary and grounded in cultural integrity,” said Claire Summers, Executive Director of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation. “As we move toward the seventh year, we look forward to seeing even more designers, makers, and storytellers sharing their practices.”

This was not a stage. It was a circle – a space of cultural safety, connection, and empowerment, where woven fibres, stitched fabrics, and carved forms were not just objects, but carriers of story, memory, and intergenerational wealth.

Photos by Michael Jalaru Torres

The night was made possible through the generosity of those who believe in the power of First Nations fashion. Awards were supported by RMIT, Helen Kaminski, Canberra Centre, QIC, Eastland, Country Road, and Franchesca Cubillo in honour of her mother, Cecilia.

As the final applause faded and the night sky expanded overhead, thoughts turned to what’s ahead. NIFA will be back for its seventh year on Wednesday, 6 August 2026. Submission entries will open early next year, inviting new voices and more hands to contribute by weaving, carving, sewing, beading, dyeing, printing, and dreaming. 

Over the cinema, the stars echoed this invitation, a form of fashion rooted in cultural practices and knowledge systems. This is fashion that empowers, uplifts, and sustains. It weaves together Country, kinship, and stories into every creation.

Photos by Michael Jalaru Torres