CIAF 2026 Fashion Performance - Designer EOI
About CIAF Fashion Performance
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.
CIAF 2026 FASHION INFO PACK
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.
KEY DATES
- Fashion Designer EOI Deadline: 21 November 2026
- Final Selection Notification: 28 November 2026
- CIAF Program Dates: 9-12 July 2026
Please note that submitting an Expression of Interest does not guarantee placement. As places are limited and highly competitive, a formal selection process will take place following the close of EOIs.
What type of collections is CIAF seeking?
CIAF invites bold and vibrant collections that celebrate the unique use of materials, techniques, and textures in fashion, adornment, and wearable art. We welcome both traditional and contemporary approaches—collections that express cultural strength, innovation, and connection to Country.
In 2026, designers are encouraged to respond to CIAF’s theme, Reclamation & Regeneration.
The CIAF Fashion Performance brings together contemporary First Nations fine art, adornment, high-end fashion, and live performance in a dynamic, choreographed presentation across two shows. At its heart, this platform celebrates cultural expression and intergenerational empowerment—honouring identity, place, and practice.
We are seeking:
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Full fashion collections
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Wearable art and textile-led forms
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Elaborate adornments, including headpieces, neck, and body pieces
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Experimental collaborations across disciplines (dance, music, art, and fashion)
CIAF provides space for designers and models to share in the act of adornment, storytelling and cultural exchange. This is a highly competitive EOI process, as only a limited number of collections can be presented as part of CIAF’s 2026 Fashion Performance.
Images: 1. Shamaiah Sullivan wearing Irene Robinson & Darlene Fell's 2 Sistas Strong collection. Photograph: Blueclick Photography. 2. Anton Schorpflin modelling for Felicity Chapman. Photographs: Romy Photography.