First impressions are… not always right. My pinup boy is… Chuck Bass from Gossip Girl. I never thought I… would be doing fashion. My biggest indulgence in life is… cake. Favourite job so far has been… internship at Vivienne Westwood. Best advice I was ever given… don’t take things too seriously.

1. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Melbourne, and grew up there for thirteen years before my family moved to Brisbane. I also lived in Japan for a homestay when I was 16, travelled around Europe, and did an exchange to Amsterdam last year.

2. Where do you get your inspiration from for your designs?

I don’t like to be inspired by other fashion designers so I won’t look at their collections while I’m designing. I can get inspired by a mood, or a book I’m reading. I always reference fashion and art history too.

3. What’s your collection about?

My collection is about a reaction against people. There are theories in fashion and history writing, arguing that fancy and ornamental clothing is completely unnecessary in this world. A lot of people think beautifully made, ornate clothing is not of value. In response, I’m designing embellished clothing in my personal utopian idea of how people should dress. It’s inspired by Rococo styles of painting and clothing, and consists of deep royal colours.

4. Best and worst thing about studying fashion?

The worst thing: Sometimes you get absorbed in your own world because you have so much to do. I find sometimes it’s hard to have relationships and find a balance. The best thing is working in a creative hub and having access to the facilities. When I did my exchange to Amsterdam, you were only allowed in the studio from nine to five, and only if there were no classes. But there were ten classes, so you had to have machines at home. We’re pretty lucky here.

5. Any advice for future students going to study fashion?

Don’t do it straight out of school, take a few years off. I think you need those few years to mature, and get the partying out of your system.

Garments by Ania Zoltkowski, Photography by Shaun Bedford, Hair by Jesse Boag, Makeup by Charlotte Valenton, Model: Maddy Southwood