The winners of the 2026 National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) have been announced, recognising the First Nations designers, artists and creatives shaping the future of Australian fashion.
Returning to Larrakia Country (Darwin) for a sunset ceremony at the Deckchair Cinema, the awards recognise excellence across several categories, including fashion design, textiles, wearable art, business and community collaboration. Hosted by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), part of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation, NIFA has become Australia’s largest annual celebration of First Nations fashion since launching in 2020.
Selected from a cohort of 25 finalists, this year’s recipients were recognised for their creativity, cultural integrity, innovation and industry impact by an expert judging panel comprising Lisa Friedl of Country Road, Julie Shaw of MAARA Collective and Lindyn Rowland. Beyond national recognition, winners receive a combination of mentorships, professional development opportunities and financial support designed to help build sustainable careers in the fashion industry.
Leading this year’s winners is Delvene Cockatoo-Collins, who received the Fashion Designer Award for her work on Quandamooka Country. As part of the prize, she’ll undertake a 12-month mentorship with Country Road, tailored to support the next stage of her career.
Friedl commended Cockatoo-Collins for her ability to balance craft, provenance and storytelling. “Delvene’s work channels culture and story through a timeless yet relevant fashion lens. Her collection is beautifully balanced, with a restrained yet effective use of design elements,” she said.
Other recipients include textile designer Lillardia Briggs-Houston, who receives a customised professional development program with RMIT’s School of Fashion and Textiles, artist Lucy Simpson, who receives a $5,000 cash prize from Pacific Werribee, and Tiwi Islands maker Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni, who took home the Traditional Adornment Award, recognising work that preserves and celebrates First Nations cultural dress traditions.
Read the full list of winners from the 2026 National Indigenous Fashion Awards, below.
Fashion Designer Award
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins — Goompi / Dunwich, Quandamooka Country, Queensland
Textile Design Award
Lillardia Briggs-Houston — North Albury, New South Wales
Illardia Briggs Houston, photographed by Marley Morgan.
Business Achievement Award
KAFTA (Kimberley Aboriginal Fashion Textiles Art) — Rubibi / Broome, Yawuru Country, Western Australia
Ira Nargoodah, Eva Nargoodah and Indiana Nargoodah, Marnin Studio
Traditional Adornment Award
Michelle Pulatuwayu Woody Minnapinni — Wulirankuwu, Milikapiti, Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory
Wearable Art Award
Lucy Simpson — Gadigal/Wangal Country, Tempe, New South Wales
Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award
Jake Powers — Walmanyjun / Cable Beach, Broome, Yawuru Country, Western Australia
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