When he moved to the city at 16 he found himself in theatre, and then a growing obsession with visual media in the form of photography. After school, and further study in photography, Harry worked in the industry for 5 years.
Dimity Anderson
Dimity is a 23-year-old recent fashion graduate, born and raised in Melbourne’s North-East. Having recently completed an Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Technology at Kangan Institute.
Her love for fashion is inspired by unique textile design and embellishment techniques, constantly exploring new directions in this arena as Dimity strives to push the boundaries in an attempt to find new tactile possibilities.
Dimity is creative in every aspect of her life and enjoys to constantly learn and develop my skills and ideas with her own feel for a minimalistic androgynous streetwear aesthetic.
"I don’t remember where my love for fashion or sewing came from, however, I was bought up in a very creative family with both my Mum and grandmother being artists and my sister being an animator" Dimity expresses. Having noticed at a young age that she preferred to work in 3D.
Having been sewing since she can remember and cutting up her Mum’s clothes to transform them into something amazing (in her my mind) and naturally, that obsession has progressed to where she is today.
When it came to finding tertiary education, she was interviewed by a few fashion school, as soon as she sat down and saw what Kangan had to offer she knew where she wanted to spend my next few years.
Tell us your experience studying fashion design at Kangan? What were your fashion moments?
Studying at Kangan was the most challenging and rewarding experience of my life. Honestly, I spent my first couple of years still unsure on whether I was heading in the right direction, however as soon as I entered my final year I knew fashion was the industry I wanted to be in.
My whole time at Kangan was full of highlights, the first being at the annual fashion show in the 1st year and getting to see my work on real models on a real runway for the first time. The best year had to be my final one as I felt I accomplished everything I set out to do; being accepted to show at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, receiving a scholarship to travel and study in Indonesia and receiving the award for ‘Outstanding Womenswear Collection’ at the graduate fashion show. Of course my year didn’t come without struggle; constructing a whole outfit from scratch on our first day of advanced diploma was enough to scare me silly for what was to come for the rest of the year, most assignments were finished with next to no sleep and I used every last inch of creativity that I had left in me. However, I look back on my time at Kangan and know every sleepless night was worth it and every assignment that led to tears of frustration and defeat made me more prepared for the next one. I look back on all I’ve done in these few years and couldn’t be prouder of all I’ve achieved.
For your final collection, what was your inspiration behind it, and how long did it take you to complete?
The ocean and the beach holds a special place in my heart, I feel like it’s where I’ve spent half of my life and where I’ve been raised. Naturally, this is where my ideas grew from. My graduate collection ‘The Man and The Sea’, is based around the idea of an old fisherman falling overboard and becoming a part of the sea or some kind of creature. I enjoy creating fashion that stems from fantasy, as it’s a visual representation of what’s in my mind. I incorporated my love of textile manipulation and experimentation through melting fabrics, knitwear and fibre destruction.
The whole process from conception to final construction was around eight months, however, the most difficult and lengthy part was the design period and having to narrow down my ideas.
Most difficult thing you've had to learn since studying fashion design?
The hardest thing to learn was the fact that the fashion industry I saw in my head when I was little is far different to reality, in terms of the impacts that everyday fashion has on the people it employs, and the environment and the animals we source from so greedily.
..And the best thing studying fashion design?
The best thing I’ve learnt is probably the same as the most difficult as it has made me more of the industry I’m entering. While I more aware of the impacts I’m having to both the fashion world and the world we live in, it also forces me to explore alternative options and push myself creatively.
You've only just started your fashion journey, what's next for you?
That’s a tough one! I have so many different paths I want to take, however at the moment I would like to find a label that is up and coming and be a part of a growing business as I find it an important experience for when I decide to create my own brand. I definitely would love to work hands on with textile experimentation, so I’m looking for a for label that has that as a core part of their brand.
Advice to anyone wanting to study your course?
Go in with an open mind. I started the course with this idea of who I wanted to be after I’d finished, it turns out the course took me in a completely different direction and I couldn’t be more thankful.
Just keep going, focus on each task in front of you and try not to be overwhelmed by the grandeur of the whole course.
Most importantly, don’t let other people’s opinions bother you, and don’t change your ideas to please others or you’ll end the course feeling as though you haven’t stayed true to yourself.
Photographer credit: Rebecca Dimovski!
Rebecca Madirazza
Rebecca Madirazza is 20 years old from Cockatoo, Victoria and has just finished studying the advanced diploma of fashion design and technology. Having always enjoyed being around creatives. She has a passion for experimenting with materials and doing anything that involves with her being creative. She hopes one day to be to be an established avant-garde designer as that's where her passion lies.
Congratulations, you've graduated! Tell us your experience studying fashion design at Kangan? What were your fashion moments?
I have had an amazing experience at Kangan, I started there back in 2012 where I completed my certificate 2 in applied fashion design and technology, and ever since I had the orientation I pretty much wanted to live there! All the teachers there are like family, I have made many friends there that will last a lifetime and the facilities are absolutely incredible! I'm going to miss being there every day.
My favourite moment would've been getting into Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, it was honestly an experience that I will remember forever. It was so much fun, and I honestly felt like a proper designer! Such a crazy wonderful experience.
although sometimes it felt like there was assessment overload, everything felt like it had a purpose. All the projects were interesting to do, and although at some moments I felt like crying myself to sleep I still pulled through.
For your final collection, what was your inspiration behind it, and how long did it take you to complete?
My collection for autumn/winter 2017 was called "the contentious bride", which is an avant-garde bridal-inspired collection.
It's inspired by the strengths and struggles of woman all around the world and throughout the ages. Powerful and poignant.
My collection honestly took about 7 months to complete. The designing, pattern making, toiling, redesigning, toiling again, then sewing was a very long process. There were a lot of deadlines which were great, but I found it difficult to stick to the one design and once I started to toile, the design was pretty much impossible to create.
Most difficult thing you've had to learn since studying fashion design?
Sticking to the one design! I struggled a lot with this, but I wouldn't change anything! I'm very happy with the final product, and I would not change the design.
..And the best thing studying fashion design?
The best bit about studying fashion design is being around people who are just as crazy and creative as you. I would give anything to be back in that environment surrounded by so many happy faces, and creatives all in the one room.
You've only just started your fashion journey, what's next for you?
Hopefully will get a full-time job, somewhere in the industry. I love being an all-rounder and I feel like I could possibly fit anywhere. But hopefully, something to do with wearable art. (I'm obsessed)
Advice to anyone wanting to study your course?
It'll be one of the hardest most rewarding courses that you will ever do! The teachers are honestly the best in the business! And you will make friends that will last a lifetime. Kangan has always been a great school, and I would go back and do it all again in a heartbeat !
Dai Sanders
Since as long as Dai can remember, he has had an interest in clothing, how things are made, particularly historical fashion and clothing. Both of his Nan's taught him knitting when he was 8. Dai self-taught himself crocheting and sewing around the age of 13. "I've always my fingers in a few creative pies; acting, modelling, hairdressing" Dai explains. But those were used to pay his way as he was studying nursing at the time. After some time Dai went back to college to study costume at Swinburne and that naturally transitioned into Fashion, sending him off to a new direction and adventure
Tell us your experience studying fashion design at Kangan? What were your fashion moments?
Studying at Kangan has for the most part been a great experience. During the year the teachers have really helped us with our personal collections and I think that has made a huge difference in the final results. I feel that some highlights for me were being part of MSFW. Eco-Threads is a great endeavour that I took part in with two outfits being on the final runway, as well as having one of my final collection outfits used for the millinery soiree. Obviously having Drag Queens model my stuff was also freaking awesome!
For your final collection, what was your inspiration behind it, and how long did it take you to complete?
The inspiration for my collection, "Bound in Opulence", was period silhouettes and shapes. Having a costume design background, I love period fashions and clothing and love to see how those shapes can be adapted into modern attire. All up It took me about three or so months to finish the collection. It all involved a fair amount of hand sewing/techniques (the backless crochet gown, for example, has over 2km of yarn in it)
Most difficult thing you've had to learn since studying fashion design? And the best moment studying fashion design?
I think the most difficult thing would probably be time management. Studying fashion really does need it, since there is so much to learn you're pretty much on the go all the time. Prioritising work and such is something you need to stay on top of. The best thing is that you get to see everything come together for the final product. All that hard work and effort is there for everyone (including yourself) to see...
You've only just started your fashion journey, what's next for you?
I'd really love to launch my fashion label IKI in the near future. It'll be heavily focused on bespoke and one-off garments,but in the meantime, I'd love to work for in an atelier for a time creating beautiful bridal and evening gowns.
Advice to anyone wanting to study your course?
It'll be a lot of hard work, but it is all working towards a goal of your final collection. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge your teachers have and use the resources of the school whilst you can,but most importantly come into it with a sense of fun and adventure.
photo credit: PNP MEDIA