Denni Francisco’s brand Ngali with the Warmun Art Centre has won the Fashion Designer Award at the 2022 National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) announced last night in Darwin.
Francisco, supported by Australian fashion retailer Country Road, was one of six winners revealed in the awards, that recognise and celebrate innovation, diversity and ethical practices in First Nations people’s fashion and textiles.
This year’s other winners at the 2022 National Indigenous Fashion Awards are:
- Traditional Adornment Award – Esther Yarllarlla, supported by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation.
- Community Collaboration Award – Mimili Maku Arts, Linda Puna x Unreal Fur, supported by Canberra Centre.
- Business Achievement Award – Laura Thompson, Clothing The Gaps, supported by KIN Fashion.
- Ngarru Miimi Wearable Art Award – Lillardia Briggs – Houston, supported by the NT Government.
- Textile Design Award – Philomena Yeatman – Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct, supported by RMIT.
The event was organised by the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects and supported by the NT Government.
Creative director Shilo McNamee said the NIFA provides a platform that continues to gain local and global attention celebrates creatives throughout the industry and provides pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The judging panel for this year’s event comprised Yatu Widders-Hunt, director at Cox Inall Ridgeway who is also Dunghutti and Anaiwan woman, Prue-ellen Thomas who is the head of marketing and communications at the Australian Fashion Council, Jacklyn Rivera, a design manager of womenswear at Country Road, and creative director and founder of Jira Models, Perina Drummond.
This story first appeared on our sister publication Inside Retail
