Simone Arnol has been honored with the 2024 Fashion Designer Award at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), a prestigious accolade recognizing excellence in original fashion design. Presented by Country Road since 2020, the award celebrates designers who excel both creatively and commercially, considering factors such as design originality, product quality, cultural storytelling, environmental impact, and social contribution. Simone Arnol Wins 2024 Fashion Designer Award at National Indigenous Fashion Awards
Arnol’s victory comes with a 12-month business mentorship with Country Road, offering her invaluable guidance in areas like marketing, product development, sales, finance, and sustainability. The mentorship, tailored to her specific needs, can be completed both in-person and online, with Country Road covering up to $5,000 in travel expenses.
Thrilled with the recognition, Arnol shared, “It is a great privilege to receive this prestigious award, and I am so thankful to be recognised by this year’s judges. As part of the Fashion Designer Award, I can’t wait to start my 12-month mentorship with Country Road, and it is an honor to have the opportunity to work, learn, and collaborate with them.”
Arnol’s work is deeply inspired by the Elders and Traditional Owners she has connected with throughout her career in law and Native Title. Her designs reflect a commitment to sustainability, using repurposed materials and traditional dyes, all while staying true to cultural practices. “This award means a lot to me. I’ve been in the fashion industry since 2016 and have not yet had the chance to showcase my work on a key metropolitan runway. Hopefully, winning this award will provide that opportunity,” Arnol said.
She added, “I always say Black has always been green, which goes back to our old people who have cared for our country for over 65,000 years. If I can carry that message through fashion and inspire others to do the same, I would love to get that message across.”
Country Road’s Brand Sustainability Manager, Fabia Pryor, expressed excitement about the company’s continued involvement with NIFA and Country to Couture. “We feel honored to be part of what is set to be the biggest year yet for NIFA and Country to Couture! The showcase presents incredible opportunities to celebrate and learn from First Nations artists and designers. We look forward to connecting with Simone Arnol as we welcome her into the 12-month industry mentorship.”
Since its launch in 2020, NIFA has been proudly presented by Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) and supported by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company. Each award category is backed by industry partners, including Canberra Centre, Eastland, QIC, Helen Kaminski, RMIT, and Country Road.
Reflecting on the mentorship, Arnol said, “I am most looking forward to working with Country Road on conceptual design and bringing that to life, elevating my work to the next level.”
Arnol’s collections, both past and present, are known for blending modern designs with powerful narratives. Her ability to convey her history and culture through her work was a standout feature for the NIFA judges. Over the past five years, she has showcased her designs at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s Fashion Performance, co-curating the event for the past three years. She also made history as the first Indigenous designer to feature at The Australian Eco Fashion Week in Perth in 2017.
“I believe Indigenous fashion is getting better every year, and it is so exciting to see. It makes my heart so full. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Indigenous fashion world,” Arnol shared with National Indigenous Times.
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