Here at marie claire, we have long advocated for the fact that Australia is home to some of the most exciting fashion designers and artists in the world. Want proof? Just look at the recently announced nominees for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), presented by the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation as part of its Indigenous Fashion Projects program.
After the success of 2020, the awards are back this year, once again celebrating the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers. If the nominees are any indication, the future is bright for Australian fashion.
There are 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, designers and Art Centres nominated across six categories.
The awards are to be judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts – Yatu Widders Hunt of Aus Indigenous Fashion, Leila Naja Hibri of the Australian Fashion Council, Maria Rinaldi-Cant of Country Road and Gary Lang of the Northern Territory Dance Company – and will be presented during an intimate ceremony hosted on Larrakia Country on Tuesday, August 3. For those of us not lucky enough to attend in person, we’ll be able to live stream the awards via NITV’s digital channels.
But enough of the particulars! We’re excited to present the shortlist for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards…
Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art
Worn items that are created as fine or expressive art and that are used to define or express culture.
- Cassie Leatham from Wild Blak Arts | wildblakarts.com.au
- Elisa Jane Carmichael | @leeceecarmichael
- Krystal Hurst from Gillawarra Arts | gillawarraarts.com
- Lydia Baker from Bush Magic Metal | @bush.magic.metal
- Michelle Woody Minnapinni and Rachel Freddy Puruntatameri from Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association | jilamara.com
- Paul McCann | @paul.mccann_art
- Rhonda Sharpe from Yarrenyty Arltere Artists | yarrenytyarltereartists.com.au
- Yvonne Odegaard from Moydra Designs | @yvonneodegaard
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston from Ngarru Miimi | ngaruumiimi.com
Textile Design
Includes designs of woven, knitted or other textile constructions as well as dyed, printed or surface ornamented textiles.
- Lillardia Briggs-Houston from Ngarru Miimi | ngaruumiimi.com
- Rhonda Sharpe from Yarrenyty Arltere Artists | yarrenytyarltereartists.com.au
- Alice Nampitjinpa Dixon from Ikuntji Artists | ikuntji.com.au
- Deborah Wurrkidj from Babbarra Women’s Centre | babbarra.com
- Eunice Napapangka Jack from Ikuntji Artists | ikuntji.com.au
- Francoise Lane from Indij Design | indijdesign.com.au
- Keturah Zimran from Ikuntji Artists | ikuntji.com.au
- Merrepen Art Centre | merrepenarts.com.au
- Mavis Nampitjinpa Marks from Ikuntji Artists | ikuntji.com.au
- Wayne Connolly from Yarrabah Art Centre | @yarrabahartsandculture
Fashion Design
A commercial fashion label with a minimum of 2 collections of original design of clothing, jewellery or accessories.
- Denni Francisco from Ngali | ngali.com.au
- Nancy Pattison from Indii Swimwear | indiiswimwear.com
- Natalie Cunningham from Native Swimwear | nativeswimwearaustralia.com.au
Environmental and Social Contribution
Excellence and leadership in environmental and social development understanding, and practice in relation to textiles and fashion.
- ● Annabel Amagula from Anindilyakwa Arts | anindilyakwaarts.com.au
- Liandra Gaykamangu from Liandra Swim | liandraswim.com
- Mylene Holroyd from Pormpuraaw Art & Culture featuring Simone Arnol designs | pormpuraawartculture.com
Community Collaboration
Recognition of effective and productive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the textile and fashion industry.
- Anindilyakwa Arts | anindilyakwaarts.com.au
- Hope Vale x QUT fashion collaboration – Wuwu (Soul) collection | @hopevaleartsandculture
- Ikuntji Artists– Publisher Textiles | ikuntji.com.au
- Wayne Quilliam | @waynequilliam
Special Recognition
For a group, organisation, or individual that has shown exceptional contribution to the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander textiles and fashion.
- Bima Wear | bimawear.com
- Yarrenyty Arltere Artists | yarrenytyarltereartists.com.au
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