Lillardia Briggs-Houston was taught by her grandmother, passing on years of knowledge and stories in her designs.
So it comes as no surprise that, on the night she wins Fashion Designer of the Year at the one of the nation's premier award ceremonies, she's thinking of her grandparents.
"Everything I am and do is because of them," she told AAP after receiving her gong at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards.
The Wiradjuri, Gangulu and Yorta Yorta designer creates all of her work on Country as a way of staying connected to them.
"Being able to be on Country and see that inspiration every single day, whether it be a tree of my grandfather's or stories from my grandmother, that's pretty amazing," she told AAP.
Her garments are made using traditional south-east cultural practices of carving, bush dyeing and weaving.
Designer Lillardia Briggs-Houston was awarded the Fashion Design Award. Source: Phoebe Blogg
"I was scoffed at for even considering wanting to be a fashion designer as a young Aboriginal girl in a small community," she said.
"I come from a very small country town and we don't have a lot of opportunity, particularly in fashion and textiles."
The Indigenous Fashion Projects Manager Michelle Maynard attributes the record number of entries and shortlists for this year's NIFA's to a rise in Indigenous leadership in fashion and textiles.
2023 NIFA award winners
Textile Design Award: Rowena Morgan from Nagula Jarndu
Wearable Art Award: Rhonda Sharpe of Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
Business Achievement Award: Ikuntji Artists
Cindy Rostron wears Ikuntji Artists designs
Traditional Adornment Award: Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts
Community Collaboration Award: Gapuwiyak Culture & Arts X Aly de Groot
