Six designers from the Territory were shortlisted to join the 30 other finalists for the 2024 National Indigenous Fashion Awards as part of the upcoming Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair in August.
The six nominees from the NT are Kieran Karritpul of Merrepen Arts Culture and Language, nominated for the Textile Design Award; Lucy Yarawanga of Babbarra Women’s Centre, nominated for the Textile Design Award; Jay Jurrupula Rostron of Babbarra Women’s Centre, nominated for the Textile Design Award; and Elizabeth Wullunmingu of Babbarra Women’s Centre, also nominated for the Textile Design Award.
Meanwhile, Sarrita King was nominated for the Wearable Art Award. Ms King will also showcase their collection at Country to Couture. Hayley Dodd of Ikuntji Artists, nominated for the Cecelia Cubilo Young Achiever Award, will also showcase their collection at Country to Couture.
Set to take place on August 6 as part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) and Country to Couture will be held in Darwin on Larrakia Country. The event will continue to propel Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers to new heights, organisers said.
A total of 36 First Nations designers, artists, Art Centres, and creatives have been shortlisted for this year’s NIFA awards in seven categories. Judges Yatu Widders-Hunt, Elaine George, Lisa Waup, and Country Road’s Nimmi Premaratne will select the winners.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate another record-breaking year for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, and would like to congratulate this year’s nominees on being shortlisted,” Indigenous Fashion Projects manager Michelle Maynard said.
“Each year we are blown away by the incredible talent and works of established and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers and creatives. This year’s record number of nominees is a testament to the significant contribution First Nations designers are making to the fashion industry.”
“We feel privileged to provide a national platform to showcase and recognise their work, regardless of their career stage, with the NIFA winners gaining access to invaluable industry exposure and partnerships, mentoring opportunities, and financial support.”
Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) said 22 ground-breaking collections will grace the Country to Couture runway across two shows.
With its ‘Underfire: Hear Our Voice’ theme, Show One encourages activism and expression, urging designers to ‘keep the fire burning’ through fashion. Show two, ‘Boundless: Always Was, Always Will Be’, is set to celebrate cultural stories, unearthing the power of traditional materials to take the audience on a journey, from streetwear to couture.
The seven NIFA winners will be announced as part of the sunset awards ceremony at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema. Audiences are invited to buy a ticket to join the celebration. NITV will again broadcast the ceremony for those unable to attend.
Starting in 2020, NIFA is being supported by the NT Government through NT Major Events Company. Each award category is supported by industry partners Canberra Centre, Eastland, QIC, Helen Kaminski, RMIT and Country Road.