There's no denying the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) are known for sprucing and supporting some of our country's top-performing creatives.
From small rural districts to busy beachside suburbs, the NIFA awards welcome a wealth of talent from far and wide.
2023 is again no different. After having announced this year's award ceremony will feature more than 60 nominees – yes, you did indeed read that right – the hype surrounding the infamous event has only increased.
Since launching in 2020, NIFA has secured itself as one of the most prominent proceedings within the First Nations fashion community.
Presented by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and further supported by the Northern Territory Government, NITV and women's beauty and fashion magazine Marie Claire, the NIFA awards are as much about fashion and culture as they are about advocacy, work ethic and commitment.
Aside from Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation's Indigenous Fashion Projects and the Northern Territory Government, this year's awards will also be supported by the team at Country Road Australia.
Sponsoring the 2023 Fashion Designer Award – which offers the winner a 12-month industry mentorship – will see the popular retailer join forces with NIFA and the Country to Couture runway for the fourth year running.
When speaking on the opportunity to collaborate and support the 2023 NIFA awards, Country Road Head of Design for Womenswear Nimmi Premaratne, shared nothing but her excitement.
"It's been an honour to celebrate and learn from the amazing talent and creativity of First Nations designers," Ms Premaratne said.
"We look forward to working with the 2023 Fashion Designer winner and developing a long-term relationship built on listening, understanding, and sharing.
"Our mentorship caters to the individual needs of the designer, and can include areas such as product development, marketing, sales and more."
Taking place on Auguat 9 at the popular Deckchair Cinema in Darwin City (Larrakia Country), the 2023 NIFA awards will be held alongside both the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) and Country to Couture runway presentation.
Lead by the talented team at the Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), 2023's NIFA awards aims to celebrate both established and emerging creatives.
Boasting over 60 highly talented nominees, across 6 categories (Traditional Adornment Award, supported by the Northern Territory Government, Community Collaboration Award, supported by Canberra Centre, Business Achievement Award, supported by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, Textile Design Award, supported by RMIT, Wearable Art Award, supported by Robina Town Centre, Fashion Designer Award, supported by Country Road ) this year's NIFA awards will feature everyone from fashion and jewellery designers to artists and talented creatives.
With industry frontrunners including Kylie Caldwell, David Leslie (GALI Swimmwear) and Kristy Dickinson (Haus of Dizzy) up for nominations, Style Up are excited to see our industry's most beloved creatives, celebrated just as much as their new counterparts.
For Haus of Dizzy founder and proud Wiradjuri woman Kristy Dickinson, being nominated for the Business Achievement Award and Wearable Art Award was nothing short of a dream come true.
"First Nations representation is extremely important to me, and to be nominated for an award that specifically celebrates Blak excellence is a dream come true," Ms Dickinson said.
"To be nominated for the Business Achievement Award is a celebration of all the hard work and commitment I have put into Haus of Dizzy over nine years.
"I want to create pieces that give people a voice without having to speak. The NIFA Awards are known for honouring excellence in various industries, and winning an award would enhance Haus of Dizzy's credibility and reputation within the fashion and wearable art communities.
"Winning awards also opens up opportunities for collaborations with other industry leaders and designers… leading to new creative partnerships and projects", Dickinson shares when asked what winning either award would do for her brand and its growth within the industry."
In terms of who will be deciding on this year's winners, the judging panel is set to include a series of renowned faces including Yatu Widders Hunt, Lisa Waup, Nimmi Premaratne and Perina Drummond.
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