First Nations Fashion and Design have banded together with The Iconic to establish an incubator program for First Nations designers.

The new co-designed program is part of The Iconic's long-term partnership with FNFD and aims to expand the expertise of FNFD with more First Nations fashion creatives.

The program offers First Nations designers real-world learning opportunities through mentorship, workshops, gathering, events and tangible resources to set up commercially viable, sustainable business models.

It comes hot on the heels of FNFD winning the GQ award for Fashion Force in November.

FNFD founder and chief operations officer Grace Lillian Lee, and Teagan Cowlishaw, created FNFD to fill a massive gap in the Australian fashion industry.

"To be recognised from the Australian industry as fashion leaders and see us making a difference in our communities is a huge blessing and special moment to finish 2022 off with this milestone," Ms Cowlishaw said.

"As producer of the FNFD performances and a designer myself, I have seen the gaps in supply chain, and I see the hunger for evolution in design and commerciality.

"FNFD wants to be able to open the doors to First Nations designers, to give access to industry and brand exposure, connecting the dots through our existing and new partnerships."

Ms Cowlishaw, a Nyikina, Bardi and Nyul Nyul designer of Aarli Fashion said working with The Iconic would help elevate participating designers.

"I have no doubt that working with Australia's leading online platform, The Iconic, will help improve both brand positioning and distribution chain for the participating designers," she said.

"I know as a designer, I want to have sustainable business revenue and build my brand reputation and having major retailers stock your brand supports this process.

"I believe this program will open access points and provide opportunities for designers to gain connections to industry experts and suppliers to develop brand."

The program will collaboratively address the unique challenges faced by First Nations designers in the mainstream retail ecosystem.

Most importantly, participating designers will be given the chance to participate in a culturally sensitive, sustainable project.

The program is now open for expressions of interest and are set to close in January 2023.