Indigenous Fashion Projects, part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, has announced that nominations for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards are now open. 

Since its inception in 2020, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards continue to provide a vibrant platform to celebrate the talent, diversity and ethical practices of Australia’s First Nations peoples and provide designers with pathways to continue growing and contributing to the sector. The award ceremony will be held on Wednesday 3 August, and broadcast by NITV, with nominations closing 31 March. 

“The National Indigenous Fashion Awards are all about recognising and celebrating First Nations creatives throughout the industry,” Dave Giles-Kaye, manager of Indigenous Fashion Projects, says. “This year we have six award categories across textiles and fashion, from traditional through to contemporary and from art through to design. For the first time we have also introduced the Business Achievement Award, specifically recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are growing a textile or fashion business.”

Alongside the Business Achievement Award, categories this year include the Traditional Adornment Award; Community Collaboration Award; Textile Design Award; Wearable Art Award; and Fashion Designer Award. 

READ MORE – “We Are Looking Back at the Old Ways”: Meet the 2021 Country to Couture Designers

“The National Indigenous Fashion Awards are really about getting everyone involved, building recognition and with it, a community of support for First Nations people,” Dave continues. “Anyone can nominate their favourite Indigenous designer, community project, artist or business. You can also nominate yourself. It provides a significant platform that is gaining global attention, and it’s a great opportunity to get your story, or the story of someone you know, out there. The National Indigenous Fashion Awards are a way for First Nations stories to be celebrated – and for others to share in them.”

For more information about how to apply, head to the website here before 31 March.

photo ANINDILYAKWA ARTS AT THE 2021 NATIONAL INDIGENOUS FASHION AWARDS BY DYLAN BUCKEE

Join us in bringing Australian Indigenous fashion to the world! You can be part of the Australian Indigenous fashion movement by donating to the Indigenous Fashion Projects. Peppermint is proud to be a Founding Supporter.