Welcome to the second installment of our ‘Where are they now’ series where we catch up with some of our favourite fashion grads from 2016 to see what they’ve been up to in the last 12 months…
Natalie Choi (UTS)
HOW’S LIFE AFTER GRADUATION? ARE THERE ANY STANDOUT MOMENTS?
Life after graduation, I still can’t stop sketching, collaging, designing, sewing, patternmaking, draping, experimenting because its what I really love doing. This year it has really been about exploring new things, travelling to Europe and London, going to concept stores, exhibitions and galleries, learning new skills, cultures, interacting with people, which is really interesting and an eye-opener to be that influential designer that I want to be eventually. The standout moment would have to be winning the SHOWStudio Design Download Competition and being selected by both Simone Rocha and Nick Knight was amazing.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING? WHAT DOES YOUR DAY TO DAY LOOK LIKE?
I’m currently working in retail and on the side I’m making things here and there, planning to start my own label to be launched on Instagram so stay tuned…
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW ABOUT THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU GRADUATED?
That I was more invested in the business side of things.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR DEGREE IN FASHION?
Fearlessness to be different and unique.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH FLAUNTER EMERGING DESIGNER SHOWCASE? WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU GAINED FROM IT?
After being selected by Romance was Born as 1 of their 5 Emerging Faces to Watch, I got the opportunity to intern for Romance was Born. Working with Anna and Luke on their most current collection and the 2017 Mercedes Benz Fashion Show Finale was an eye-opener and adventurous in terms of seeing the workings of a creative studio.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I wish to develop my own brand that stands out and design creative fashion pieces that connect and bring happiness to people.
Find and follow Natalie and her work on Instagram // @_nataliechoi
Images: (1) Photographer – Ray Ranoa, Model: Niamh Dwyer; (2) Natalie’s winning design for the SHOWStudio Design Download Competition.
Cassie Hewitt (Sydney TAFE)
HOW’S LIFE AFTER GRADUATION BEEN? ARE THERE ANY STANDOUT MOMENTS?
Life after graduation has been a crazy blur. While all my friends relaxed and took gap years mine only got more intense. I closed the innovators show at MBFWA which was amazing.
I won Australian Graduate of the Year for Fashion and Textiles… which made my Asian mum VERY proud haha especially after I dropped out of Uni a couple years ago.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING? WHAT DOES YOUR DAY TO DAY LOOK LIKE?
I currently work for CUE clothing… my average day would be running around the design room handing out zippers and trims, entering spec sheets and forecasting. It’s pretty fast paced so each day is different.
Then I go home and work on CASEA… I definitely miss sleep and my boyfriend, he’s very patient.
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW ABOUT THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU GRADUATED?
The pace. We work so long on designs at TAFE… critiquing every detail but in the industry, seasons come around so quickly and there is no time to worry if your zip should be 1cm longer or if you need 3 extra beads. You just have to get it over the line.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR DEGREE IN FASHION?
Everything, I couldn’t even sew a straight line before studying. Now I pattern make and sew everything.
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH FLAUNTER EMERGING DESIGNER SHOWCASE? WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU GAINED FROM IT?
I guess just being featured… it was the first platform that all graduates from different schools were featured. It was a good place to see what others were doing and evaluate whether what I was designing for CASEA was something unique.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Building CASEA slowly, I guess I’m not too worried about social media and being Insta famous… just focusing on my product and getting buyers.
Find and follow Cassie and her work on Instagram // @caseathelabel
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Catch up with Nessie Croft & Ellie-Rose Landers the first installment of our ‘Where are they now’ series here.
Huge thanks to our 2016 Flaunter Emerging alumni for taking part in this series and goodluck in the future – we know you’ll kill it 😉
