Supporting First Nations fashion with
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation

Since 2020, we've partnered with the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) to support emerging First Nations arts and design talent.

DAAFF is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a membership of Indigenous remote community Art Centres and Peak Bodies. The organisation exists to support the growth of Indigenous creative businesses, promote textile artists, designers and Art Centres across Australia, as well as provide opportunities for reconciliation across the fashion industry.

We are fortunate to have such a remarkable Australian company working with us, in what has been an important and mutually beneficial relationship. Country Road's support for both the Country to Couture runway and National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) has been invaluable to the growth of DAAF Foundation's Indigenous Fashion Projects. Claire Summers, Executive Director, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation

Country to Couture

Through this partnership, we support DAAFF's Country to Couture runway event, an annual celebration of First Nations textiles art and design talent. Renowned as a contemporary and creative outlet for cultural storytelling and expression, the Country to Couture runway event builds on the growing textile design movement in remote Indigenous communities.

Motion courtesy of @indigenousfashionprojects

National Indigenous Fashion Awards

The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) is an annual award program that celebrates the vibrant, diverse perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers. Showcasing collections from Australia's leading First Nations designers, it provides a unique platform for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to Indigenous excellence.

Country Road is the proud presenter of the Fashion Designer Award at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), which involves participating on the judging panel and offering an industry mentorship to the category winner. The program is tailored to the needs and focus areas defined by the mentee, covering areas such as marketing, product development, sales and finance and sustainability, supporting the winner to further build their business and career.