Australia's leading First Nations artists, designers and creatives were recognised on Larrakia Country on Wednesday as the 2026 National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) celebrated excellence in Indigenous fashion, textiles and adornment.
Twenty-five finalists from across the country were honoured across seven award categories, recognising outstanding creativity, cultural knowledge and innovation shaping the future of Australia's Indigenous fashion sector.
Hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, alongside Country to Couture, have become Australia's premier celebration of First Nations fashion.
Together they provide a national platform that celebrates cultural authority, creative excellence and innovation, while creating pathways for First Nations designers and artists to grow sustainable careers.
Indigenous Fashion Projects manager, Michelle Maynard, said she is proud to continue offering NIFA as a platform giving deserved acknowledgement and elevation to First Nations excellence.
"NIFA celebrates the diversity and strength of the First Nations fashion community, recognising designers whose work is shaping the future of Indigenous fashion while remaining grounded in culture," she said.
"Each of these designers represent thousands of hours, years, lifetimes event, taken to master their craft.
"Intergenerational knowledge and practices alive, and we are proud to continue to showcase the incredible skill and rich continuum of cultural connection.
"These moments can be transformative for creatives and continue to strengthen the Indigenous fashion sector as a whole."
Returning as host for a third consecutive year, Megan Waters welcomed finalists, industry leaders, artists, designers, partners and supporters from across Australia to celebrate the event.
The evening honoured the creativity, cultural knowledge and innovation shaping the future of First Nations fashion through storytelling, performance and the recognition of outstanding achievement.
Award winners were selected by the NIFA 2026, judging panel comprised of Lisa Friedl (Country Road), Julie Shaw (MAARA Collective) and Lindyn Rowland (Rowland Vision), recognising excellence in creativity, cultural integrity, innovation and industry impact.
Alongside national recognition, recipients will receive industry mentorship, professional development opportunities, financial support and access to partnerships designed to support sustainable careers within Australia's fashion industry.
Award partners include Country Road, Desart, Franchesca Cubillo, RMIT, QIC, Pacific Werribee and Canberra Centre.
The recipient of the prestigious Fashion Designer Award, Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, will have the opportunity to undertake a 12-month mentorship with Country Road.
NIFA judge Lisa Friedl, from Country Road, commended Delvene Cockatoo-Collins as this year's Fashion Designer Award winner, describing her as a talented contemporary curator of craft, provenance and storytelling.
"Delvene's work channels culture and story through a timeless yet relevant fashion lens. Her collection is beautifully balanced, with a restrained yet effective use of design elements," she said.
Indigenous Fashion Projects Senior Program Producer, Lauren Rogers, said the National Indigenous Fashion Awards celebrated the depth and diversity of First Nations creative practice."
"Every creative journey begins with Country, with knowledge, with materials and with stories that are carried forward through generations," she said.
"Across every category, we see culture expressed in different ways, through textiles, adornment, fashion, collaboration, business and leadership.
"Every finalist brings something unique to their work while contributing to the broader story of First Nations fashion in Australia."
Other award winners on the night included Lillardia Briggs-Houston (Textile Design Award winner), Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni (Traditional Adornment Award winner), Lucy Simpson ( Wearable Art Award winner), Jake Powers (Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award winner), Bábbarra Women's Centre x Tharangini Studio (Community Collaboration Award winners) and KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art) Business Achievement Award.
Whilst each award winner was celebrated for their creative individuality, all winners shared a similar value in that they are passionate about paving the way forward for First Nations fashion.
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