From Paris Fashion Week to Darwin’s NIFA Awards, Kahlia Rogers is flying high

Phoebe Blogg Published August 13, 2024 at 6.00pm (AWST)

culture

Kahlia Rogers on the Country to Couture runway wearing Sarrita King. (Image: Dylan Buckee)

First Nations model and mentor Kahlia Rogers has gone from strength to strength since walking in Letticia Shaw's Ticia Designs presentation at Paris' Flying Solo runway last year.

Coming from the Wangkatjungka community in WA's Kimberley region, Rogers' recent trip to Paris was both a learning experience and an opportunity for further exposure.

Participating in Paris Fashion Week was a career milestone for the young model, and also saw her gain recognition from her community at home.

"Walking at the Paris Fashion Week was massive, showcasing Indigenous art to the world," she said.

"When I came back from Paris, having young kids come up to me and asking me about my trip, which was very, very exciting for me."

Fast forward to 2024 and the talented model is appearing on more runways than ever. This month Rogers made headlines with a new achievement when she was named at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) as the winner of the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award.

*Kahlia Rogers wearing Dandaloo Su on the Country to Couture runway. (Image: Dylan Buckee)*

With the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, being a new category addition to the NIFA awards, Rogers was the first individual to win this award.

"This year we added the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award which recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15-25 years, who is excelling in one or more of the areas of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment and jewellery," said Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) manager Michelle Maynard.

Rogers was thrilled to take home the award sharing that she felt proud incredibly proud to represent my family and community.

"I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to have the honour of receiving this amazing award for the first time. I have felt so inspired by all the amazing artists and designers from across Australia tonight and I feel proud to represent my family and community" she said.

"I'm so privileged to take on this award. This means so much to me, my family, and young kids that may be watching on, you know, I hope my journey inspires them to reach for the stars and go further in life."

*Kahlia Rogers accepting the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards. (Image: Dylan Buckee)*

*Behind the scenes of Kahlia Rogers participating in The Iconic X Blaklist workshop program. (Image: Instagram @Kahlia.k_)*

Rogers works hard to balance her modelling career with responsibilities back home.

"When I'm not modelling, I'm back home in Fisher Crossing, working with the Guild's program, Co-Shooting Stars, based at the Fisher Valley District High School. It's an empowering mentorship program where I get to mentor the young girls in the school and support them during their schooling journey," she said.

Since winning the Kimberly Girl Program – a leadership program that focuses on job readiness and encourages self-confidence, public speaking and broadening options for young Indigenous women – in 2021, Rogers has continued to inspire young Indigenous women and girls to step forward into opportunity and believe in themselves.

"Take every opportunity, you know, if you have an opportunity to get into the fashion industry, take it, embrace every opportunity that is given to you with whatever it says, if that's in art or fashion or dancing or drama, take it all," she said.