While we wait for the judges to reveal their faces to watch for Flaunter Emerging 2017, 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…
Nessie Croft (RMIT)
HOW’S LIFE AFTER GRADUATION? ARE THERE ANY STANDOUT MOMENTS?
It has been quite the emotional rollercoaster, like most graduates, I think there was a big sense of relief and joy surrounding finishing, but also apprehension in regards to our personal futures, it’s quite the seismic shift from being a full time student of an applied art in a protected institutional bubble to then putting it into practice.
The year that followed has honestly been one I could not have predicted. I’ve learnt a great deal about my own personal strength and where I see myself in the fashion industry. I have had some beautiful holidays with family and friends, connected with amazing new people, changed jobs and out of pure determination co-founded a new fashion practice named Coreprêt with my dear friend Gabrielle Leavesley who also graduated in 2016. We launched only a few months ago and the absolute high of this year was our self-driven and creatively directed showcase ‘Office Party’ held back in August! A very proud and fulfilling moment!
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING? WHAT DOES YOUR DAY TO DAY LOOK LIKE?
A typical day for me begins with coffee from my local and is filled with one of my several jobs (like most creatives I like to be kept busy). If I am not freelancing for myself or working on Coreprêt at my studio you can find me at The Fabric Store; an oasis of fabrics and a community of like-minded individuals.
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW ABOUT THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU GRADUATED?
I think sometimes you simply cannot predict what you don’t know until you live it, and this year has been a perfect example of that. I have gained an enormous insight into the Australian fashion industry from the ground up and it has been an ongoing education, one I will keep pursuing.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR DEGREE IN FASHION?
Undeniably my practical skill set. Prior to this degree I could not sew, let alone understand garment construction, and now I’m running my own business with two full collections under my belt!
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH FLAUNTER EMERGING DESIGNER SHOWCASE? WHAT WAS THE BEST THING YOU GAINED FROM IT?
I felt incredibly humbled to be showcased on the Flaunter platform as a Designer to Watch. To have my graduate collection publicly acknowledged and viewed by industry heavyweights was an invaluable experience, one I won’t soon forget.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
I think I’ll keep the future open to flexibility and opportunity, but my short-term goals include continuing my self-directed education into sustainable fashion practices and using Coreprêt as a vessel for change.
Find and follow Nessie and her work on Instagram // @nessiecroft // @corepret
Images: Corepret Residential Editorial (banner) & Atlas Editorial photographed by Jess Garcia // @jessicaanngarcia
Ellie-Rose Landers (Whitehouse Institute of Design)
HOW’S LIFE AFTER GRADUATION? ARE THERE ANY STANDOUT MOMENTS?
I graduated almost a year ago but somehow it feels like only a few months! As soon as I’d finished, I started applying for all sorts of position in the industry. I took each interview as an opportunity to improve my confidence; whether I was successful or not and soon I was offered a role with an Apparel Development Company in Sydney. I have been flat out and loving every day since starting 8 months ago, the biggest standout so far being an overseas trip to source fabrics for the brand I work on.
WHERE ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING? WHAT DOES YOUR DAY TO DAY LOOK LIKE?
I’m the Assistant Designer for an emerging brand called TUSSAH which is stocked exclusively through The Iconic. My role is varied and our team is all-hands-on-deck right now as we are just getting started. It has been an incredible experience for my career so far, some days I might be picking and packing orders at the warehouse, other days I could be coordinating a photo shoot for our digital content. My main responsibility, day to day is to assist the Head Designer in developing our seasonal collections!
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU KNEW ABOUT THE INDUSTRY BEFORE YOU GRADUATED?
I feel that internships were an integral part of my preparation for working in the industry, however they definitely didn’t teach everything, and there’s always more to learn. I wasn’t fully prepared for the workload in the beginning, but now that I have settled into my role and am supported by an incredible team of people, I am thriving on it and genuinely love going to work every day.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST VALUABLE SKILL YOU GAINED FROM YOUR DEGREE IN FASHION?
While studying fashion, I learned that the industry is subjective and that there isn’t necessarily always a right answer. Throughout my degree, I learnt to trust myself and to let instinct guide me at crucial times. It also taught me the value of teamwork. You can’t do everything yourself, so it’s important to start networking early, even if it’s just with your peers!
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
Generally, I try not to look too far ahead of myself, so right now I’m just focused on growing in my role and with the TUSSAH team, I’m really excited to be a part of what’s next for the brand!
Find and follow Ellie-Rose and her work on Instagram // @ellieroselanders // @tussahthelabel
Images: (1) Photography – Culture Machine, Model – Mara Grams, H&MUA – Carleigh Franklin (2) Photography – Amy Hibbard, Model – Dominque Lissa, H&MUA – Carleigh Franklin
