By Melissa Singer
Australian fashion students are a mixed bag when it comes to style.Credit: Jamie Brown
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Cast your mind back to your university days, if you’re not still there now. What did you wear? Do you even remember? And, most of all, did anyone care?
When I was at university, there were definitely fashion tropes: flannel shirts for engineering students and designer jeans for those enrolled in an arts degree, while med students wore hoodies, which could be repurposed as built-in blockout blinds on all-nighter study sessions in the library. Of course, there were well-dressed science undergrads, and shabby psychology first-years too – these stereotypes are just that.
A model in one of Kyle Taylor’s designs at Melbourne Fashion Week.
But what about fashion students? Have you ever wondered what they wear; if it’s a real-life version of reality shows, such as Project Runway or Making the Cut? What makes these students tick, stylistically speaking? How do they put their outfits together, and which designers do they look up to?
Darran Arabin-Gander, a lecturer and tutor at Whitehouse Institute of Design, says his students’ style isn’t what some people may expect. If anything, it’s the teachers who are more often dressed to the nines. “In the 1990s, we all wanted to be Vivienne Westwood or Jean-Paul Gaultier, but these days it’s different,” says Arabin-Gander, who studied at London’s Central Saint Martins, whose alumni include Sarah Burton and Alexander McQueen.
A model wears a design by Matthew Lewis at Melbourne Fashion Week.
Kangan Institute design student Tash Orloff, 33, agrees: “It’s probably different to what people expect. People think it’s all glitz and glamour, but most of the students are in comfy clothes because we have a lot of physical work to do – making patterns, sometimes climbing under mannequins – so you don’t want to be wearing your haute couture.”
While New York fashion students may like to share their outfits on TikTok – the hashtag #whatiworetofashionschool has had more than one billion views – Australian fashion students, especially the ones we met at Melbourne Fashion Week, are comparatively low-key. But that doesn’t make their outfits any less fabulous.
Kyle Taylor, 22, Holmesglen Institute
Kyle TaylorCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “It’s complicated. My own queer sexuality, as well as Greek and Roman architecture and art.”
What inspired your outfit? “This is a rendition of my collection.”
How much did you spend? “I bought the materials and made it all, so about $20.”
Who’s your fashion icon? “[French designer] Ludovic de Saint Sernin.”
Tash Orloff, 33, Kangan Institute
Tash OrloffCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “Mainly sustainable fashion. It’s really exciting, especially in Melbourne.”
What inspired your outfit? “This T-shirt. I found it at a vintage store and I couldn’t say no. It is a mix of that fun, ’90s novelty print with a bit of drama. I am also known for wearing hats.”
How much did you spend? “Not too much. Some of these pieces are quite old now. The beret I got in France 15 years ago. So, maybe about $100 all up.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Dita Von Teese. I have always loved vintage style and fashion, and she always looks so classy.”
Matthew Lewis, 28, RMIT
Matthew LewisCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “Not to sound shallow, but I inspire myself. But I am also inspired by niche, tacky, campy pop-culture moments, like Jersey Shore.”
What inspired your outfit? “I put a bit of chaos and stupidity into everything I wear, and I like to have a lot of fun. I got this black fabric today because I needed a skirt.”
How much did you spend? “Probably $200. Everything was thrifted or from independent designers.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Myself. But also I love Alexander McQueen, [US ready-to-wear label] Collina Strada and [British-Cypriot designer] Hussein Chalayan.”
Jessica Virk, 20, Whitehouse Institute of Design
Jessica VirkCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “I like to mix and match a lot of things. I am that person who mixes two complete outfits into one.”
What inspired your outfit? “Simple, luxury, comfortable. I wanted to be ‘me’. All up I spent about $300.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Japanese designer Chitose Abe, of the brand Sacai. I have adored her, and grown up being inspired by her work.”
Hannah Ayerst, 20, RMIT
Hannah AyerstCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “Art and religious iconography, as well as the written language. A lot of my design is deeply researched in literature.”
What inspired your outfit? “Exploring really interesting silhouettes and textures. I like sensorial experiences.”
How much did you spend? “It’s all thrifted or independent designers. So I want to say $200.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Either Martin Margiela or John Galliano, for Margiela specifically, although his work for Dior was also really beautiful.”
Salina Iocano, 20, Whitehouse
Salina IaconoCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “Gender fluidity, and the contrast of feminine and masculine.”
What inspired your outfit? “I actually made this outfit. It’s about conforming masculine and menswear tailoring and using the elements of corsetry and feminity into it – it’s a deconstructed look.”
How much did you spend? “Does that include accessories? I think about $500, maybe more? My coat is a family heirloom.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “[Actress] Taylor Russell and [corset maker] Mr Pearl – he’s actually the person who inspired me to do these corsets because he’s the guy who did a lot of corsetry for men, such as Alexander McQueen.”
Brielle-Tayla D’Agostino, 20, Whitehouse
Brielle-Tayla D’AgostinoCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “Things that are pretty, sparkle, glitter – I love the glitz and glam. It reflects my personality.”
What inspired your outfit? “My collection because it’s very sparkly. I saw this, and it caught my eye straight away.”
How much did you spend? “Quite a bit. Should I say? I think $400.”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Olivier Rousteing, the designer for Balenciaga.”
Simone Robinson, 46, Kangan
Simone RobinsonCredit: Joe Armao
What inspires you? “I love a bit of glitz and glam. I was previously a dancer and burlesque performer.”
What inspired your outfit? “A little burlesque glam, with a hint of Wednesday Addams.”
How much did you spend? “About $400. But it’s a mix of old and new. The dress was $20, bought from a friend. My shoes and earrings [make up the rest].”
Who’s your fashion idol? “Elsa Schiaparelli. I love the avant-garde surrealism of her designs, and there’s a lot of beading and intricacy.”
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