After months of anticipation and excitement, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) have finally crowned their winners.
Taking place at Darwin's Deckchair Cinema on August 9, this year's NIFA awards attracted an extensive crowd – so much so, that the infamous awards night actually sold out.
Breaking records with over 60 nominees, 2023's NIFA awards celebrated and supported the industry's top-performing Indigenous creatives.
Proudly presented by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) and Indigenous Fashion Projects, (IFP) this year's awards event also partnered with the Northern Territory Government to showcase creative excellence across six categories.
The six award categories included the Traditional Adornment Award, Community Collaboration Award, Business Achievement Award, Textile Design Award, Wearable Art Award and Fashion Designer Award.
When it came to the NIFA judging panel, it was crucial that only the most respected industry figures were enlisted for the job.
With Yatu Widders Hunt, Lisa Waup, Nimmi Premartatne and Perina Drummond tasked with crowning the winners, participating designers were as nervous as they were excited to be judged by these women.
All participants knew with these women leading the judging panel, the stakes were bound to be high.
When the time came to announce the six winners, it was a refreshing reminder to all nominees that they should already be celebrating for having come this far.
In terms of who won what, Rowena Morgan of Nagula Jarndu took out the infamous Textile Design Award, Yarrenyty Arltere Artists' Rhonda Sharpe went home with the Wearable Art Award and Lillardia Briggs-Houston Wiradjuri Gangulu, and Yorta woman was crowned with the Fashion Designer Award.
Other winners on the night included Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts artists who won the Traditional Adornment Award, Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts X Aly de Groot walked away with the Community Collaboration Award whilst Ikuntji Artists won the Business Achievement Award.
Art Centre accepting award on behalf of Rhonda Sharpe from Yarrenyty Alter Artists. (Image: Marley Morgan)
"The work of this year's winners all carry such a beautiful weaving together of traditional and contemporary practice imbued with deep connection, pride and love of country and community," said Indigenous Fashion Projects manager Michelle Maynard.
"I think they really represent the heart of our people."
The winners will each receive a range of tailored funding, mentorships and other priceless opportunities available through Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and presenting partners.
Designed to build upon their capability and commerciality to thrive and develop their artistic practice, the funding will undoubtedly be put to good use.
With the bar now raised, what's next for these talented creatives is the question on everyone's mind.
May it be a collaboration, secondary collection or business expansion, the opportunities are endless.
For now, these winners are kicking up their feet and celebrating their win.
After all…it takes months to become an overnight success, so why not pause and enjoy the moment.
*NIFA's 2023 support partners included the Northern Territory Government, Canberra Centre, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, RMIT, Robina Town Centre and Country Road.
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