Kimberley woman Kahlia Rogers wins Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award at National Indigenous Fashion Awards

Kimberley emerging model Kahlia Rogers has been recognised at the prestigious National Indigenous Fashion Awards after being announced as the debut winner of the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award. The Walmajarri, Gooniyandi and Bunuba woman received the award in Darwin on August 7, which recognises an outstanding young person between the ages of 15-25 years, who is excelling in one or more of the areas of fashion, textile design, modelling, styling, wearable art, adornment and jewellery. Ms Rogers was crowned Kimberley Girl in 2021 and has since had a stellar career on the catwalk, including venturing far from her community of Wangkatjungka, 130km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing in the Kimberley, to the runway at Paris Fashion Week in 2023. “I feel incredibly humbled and grateful to have the honour of receiving this amazing award for the first time,” she said. “I have felt so inspired by all the amazing artists and designers from across Australia tonight and I feel proud to represent my family and community.” From a shortlist of 36 finalists, seven award winners were announced in recognition of their contributions to the fashion industry, spanning from wearable art, textile design and traditional adornment to business achievement and community collaboration. The awards ceremony comes after a breathtaking lineup of First Nations designers graced the stage with their artwork at the Indigenous Fashion Projects’ latest Country to Couture runway on August 6. Broome women’s art centre Nagula Jarndu - which was also shortlisted for the Business Achievement Award - showcased their collection ‘gujarra yangarrjin’ (two coming together) in one of two sold-out shows: Boundless. A total of 20 collections graced the runways and featured innovative collections from remote Indigenous communities across Australia, including collaborations between those communities and prominent Australian labels. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation artistic director and proud Eastern Arrerntre visual artist Shilo McNamee said the electrifying runways illustrated the growth of the thriving Indigenous textile and fashion community. “It is so inspiring to witness this dynamic and growing stream of artistic expression that is captivating audiences everywhere,” she said. “Experienceing ancient stories and contemporary perspectives of the world’s oldest surviving cultures through fashion is truly breathtaking. “To have 20 First Nations artists, art centres, and designers participate this year underscores the impact of IFP in building agency and community among Indigenous creatives.” Indigenous Fashion Projects’ NIFA Winners 2024 Textile Design Award: Jay Jurrupula Rostron, Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Location: Maningrida, Northern Territory Traditional Adornment Award: Philomena Yeatman, Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Precinct - Location: Yarrabah, Queensland Wearable Art Award: Lillardia Briggs-Houston, Location: Albury/Narrandera, New South Wales Fashion Designer Award: Simone Arnol, Location: Queensland Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award: Kahlia Rogers, Location: Broome/Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia Community Collaboration Award: Melissa Greenwood, Miimi & Jiinda x Gilat Shani, Unreal Fur - Location: Nambucca Heads, New South Wales and Melbourne, Victoria Business Achievement Award: Ngali, Denni Francisco, Location: Melbourne, Victoria