Launched in 2013 by Grace Lillian Lee (First Nations Fashion + Design), CIAF’s Fashion Performance is a nationally celebrated platform that brings together First Nations art, design, performance and storytelling in bold, contemporary form. More than a runway, the Fashion Performance is a cultural experience—where movement, textiles, music and identity come together to showcase the depth and innovation of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designers.
Each year, the CIAF Fashion Performance offers a powerful opportunity for First Nations creatives to collaborate across disciplines—dance, music, modelling, visual art and fashion—creating a high-impact event that has garnered national and international acclaim, with features in Vogue Japan, Lifestyle Vogue Australia, Peppermint Magazine and more.
In 2026, CIAF invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from First Nations fashion designers who are based in, or have strong cultural connections to, Queensland. We’re particularly interested in hearing from artists who are pushing the boundaries of wearable art and who see fashion as a space for cultural storytelling, protest, pride and connection.
Selected designers will work closely with the CIAF curatorial and production teams to present their work within the Fashion Performance, supported by professional stylists, choreographers and creatives to bring their vision to life.
This is more than a show—it’s a statement.
We welcome designers ready to lead, disrupt and create.
To maintain the integrity of this showcase, we ask all applicants to carefully review the CIAF Info Pack and adhere to the guidelines and eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Images: 1. Shamaiah Sullivan wearing Irene Robinson & Darlene Fell’s 2 Sistas Strong collection. Photograph: Blueclick Photography. 2. Tanika Parker modelling for Amy (Wudan) Neal. Photograph: Romy Photography. 3. Adina Donahue modelling for Sandra Delaney. 4. Image: Riley Eggmolesse wearing collection by Felicity Chapman. CIAF 2025 Fashion Performances: Look & Listen. Photographs: Blueclick Photography.
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