FASHION

Congratulations To The Nominees Of The Inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards

Applause all round

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Australia is home to some phenomenal fashion talent. Case in point: the shortlist of nominees for this year’s inaugural National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), announced today.

The awards, which were born out of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and are being supported by marie claire, are a celebration of the innovation, diversity and ethical work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers. And there’s a hell of a lot to celebrate.

Thirty-three designers have been nominated across six different categories. “The NIFA presents an amazing opportunity for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to come together to celebrate the rich heritage and vibrant culture of our First Nations peoples through fashion and textiles,” says Claire Summers, Foundation Executive Director.

The winners will be chosen by an esteemed judging panel – including Yatu Widders Hunt of Aus Indigenous Fashion, Ursula Raymond of the Northern Territory Treaty Commission, Leila Naja Hibri of the Australian Fashion Council and Maria Rinaldi-Cant of Country Road – and are set to be announced on August 5 in a live stream on NITV’s social media channels.

Without further ado, it’s our pleasure to share the shortlist for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards…

Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art Award

Recognises worn items, created as fine or expressive art, used to define or express culture.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA9M9VFjCG7/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAwhbThjhkp/

Textile Design Award

Includes designs of woven, knitted or other textile constructions, as well as dyed, printed or surface ornamented textiles.

  • Ivy Nargoodah, Eva Nargoodah and Margaret Albert of Rukaji Designs, from Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency | www.mangkaja.com
  • Kieren Karritpul from Merrepen Arts Language & Culture | @merrepenarts
  • Dymphna Kerinauia, Kaye Brown, Michelle Woody, Nina Lydwina Puruntatameri, Cornelia Tipuamantumirri, and Bernadette Mungatopi at North, from Munupi Association Arts and Crafts Association, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association & Ngaruwanajirri Arts | www.northhome.org
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBfn56DAvSf/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBHUeaLpzv-/

Community Collaboration Award

Recognition of effective and productive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the textile and fashion industry.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6q9q3VAeH2/

● Hopevale Art x QUT with Guuliil of Hope Vale Arts and Cultural Centre | www.hopevaleart.org.au

  • People, Culture & Country, a QLD State Schools Art Project| Catalogue 2019
  • Lisa Gorman (Gorman) and Tommy May, Sonia Kurarra, Daisy Japulija, Nada Rawlins, Lisa Uhl from Mangkaja Arts | www.mangkaja.com
  • Tennant Creek Aunties for Rise-Ngurrajuta

Environmental and Social Contribution Award

Excellence and leadership in environmental and social development understanding, and practice in relation to textiles and fashion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-bsZnSjDN9/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B431p5LHjBx/

Special Recognition Award

For a group, organisation, or individual that has shown exceptional contribution to the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander textiles and fashion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BW3sbiTAp_k/
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bur9P_jBaBp/

Fashion Design Award

Recognises a commercial fashion label with a minimum of two collections of original design of clothing, jewellery or accessories.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBsVATqDVwN/

Head image courtesy of Design Within Country

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