National Indigenous Fashion Awards Shortlist for 2025

We’re honoured to showcase a stunning selection of pieces from last year’s award winners throughout the centre. Each piece is a powerful expression of community, collaboration, and Country.

Simone Arnol

Winner NIFA Fashion Designer Award 2024 supported by Country Road

Simone Arnol is an Indigenous designer celebrated for combining ancestral traditions with modern innovation. Her sustainable work features recycled materials and traditional dyeing techniques, creating vibrant textiles that tell powerful cultural stories. She also mentors emerging Indigenous designers, helping to grow new talent in the fashion industry. As the 2024 NIFA Fashion Designer Award winner, Simone will receive a 12-month mentorship with Country Road.

Jay Jurrupula Rostron, Babbarra Women’s Centre

Winner NIFA Textile Award 2024 supported by RMIT University

Jay Jurrupula Rostron, a Kune, Rembarrnga, Kuninjku woman from West Arnhem Land, is a key artist at Babbarra Women’s Centre and an advocate for protecting her ancestral stone country. Her first screen print for Babbarra Design, ‘Namurre Boko’, is a two-colour screen print that is the only design that depicts Kune Songlines. Combining traditional Rarrk (cross-hatching) with contemporary textile design, Jay brings depth and texture to her work. The story in ‘Namurre Boko’ is deeply significant to her community and marks the first time a female in her family has been permitted to share it.

Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda x Gilat Shani, Unreal Fur

Winner NIFA Community Collaboration Award 2024 supported by Canberra Centre

The collaboration between Miimi and Jiinda and Unreal Fur began in 2023, rooted in shared values of sustainability, community, and cultural respect. They created a culturally distinctive capsule collection while supporting the Giingana Gumbaynggirr Freedom School, NSW’s first bilingual Aboriginal language school. Artists Lauren and Melissa were involved in every step, ensuring their Cultural IP was honoured throughout. Their artwork Girwaa, depicting ancestral birthing caves, highlights themes of family, connection, and unity.

Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct

Winner NIFA Traditional Adornment Award 2024 supported by Helen Kaminski

Traditional weaving in Yarrabah is becoming a rare craft, but Philomena Yeatman keeps the craft alive by teaching local youth. Her baskets, made from traditional fibers and dyes sourced from Country, are used in fashion as baskets or earrings. Philomena views each basket as a cultural connection and tribute to the methods passes down by her grandmothers.

Lillardia Briggs-Houston

Winner NIFA Wearable Art Award 2024 supported by Eastland

Since 2019, Lillardia has built her label in rural south-west NSW, working exclusively on Country and guided by her Wiradjuri grandmother’s teachings. She independently handles all aspects of her fashion production. Her award-winning woven headpiece reflects her kinship and Marrambidya Country, features hand-turned silk, freshwater mussel beads, and seed, created with waste dye and ink over 100 hours. The piece honours South West Wiradjuri culture while addressing environmental and social impacts.

Ngali, Denni Francisco

Winner NIFA Business Achievement Award 2024 supported by QIC

The 2024 Business Achievement Award is presented to Ngali by Denni Francisco, recognising their outstanding success in both the creative and commercial aspects of Indigenous fashion. Ngali is a leading international label that collaborates with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to transform their art into wearable clothing and collectibles. This is Ngali’s fourth NIFA nomination and their first Business Achievement Award, following previous recognition with the Fashion Designer Award for advancing Indigenous fashion and business growth.