Read about them now, name-drop them later. SA’s emerging designers have hit the runway – check out the amazing work of these future fashion stars.
While Paris and Milan dominate headlines, South Australia’s emerging designers are quietly rewriting the rulebook – upcycling vintage fabrics, reimagining costume design, and boldly redefining femininity.
On 28 March, Visionary Voyage, the annual HomeStart Fashion and Costume Graduate Parade, transformed Adelaide Festival Centre Plaza into SA’s biggest standalone fashion event.
The runway showcased five-outfit collections from 26 designers graduating from TAFE SA and Flinders University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts – Fashion and Costume Design.
So, who could be the next Paolo Sebastian? Meet some of the standout talent.
Tahlia Hossack – The art of hyper-femininity
“Having my collection on the runway – unapologetic and feminine – will be a special moment,” says Tahlia Hossack. “I’m interested to see how the audience reacts.”
Her collection, La Vie En Rose by Miss Dahlia, explodes with colour, exaggerated silhouettes, and vintage glamour, drawing inspiration from 1950s aesthetics and drag culture.
“Originally, I planned something darker, but seeing so much bleak news about women’s rights internationally, I wanted to create joy instead,” she says. “Femininity is so often a performance, and I wanted to lean into that.”
Committed to inclusivity, 40 per cent of her collection features plus-size garments. “Fashion should be for everyone. It’s not fun if it only works on one body type.”
An Australian Wool Education Trust grant allowed her to work with unexpected materials. “People think wool is just beige and navy, but I found vibrant fuchsias and structured weaves that bring drama to each piece.”
Now at RM Williams, Tahlia balances commercial fashion with plans for her own brand that champions bold, expressive femininity.
Sarah Heaslip – Upcycled couture with an edge
Sarah Heaslip is making fashion greener. Her collection, SarahKate, fuses delicate florals with Rococo grandeur to create something fresh and rebellious, inspired by the “chaos of thrift store jungles.”
“I love taking things that already exist and giving them new life,” she says. “There’s enough fabric in the world – we don’t need to create more waste.”
A semester in Manchester deepened her passion for upcycling. “The UK’s charity shop culture is next level,” she says. She even transformed vintage curtains bought for six pounds into an entire outfit.
Now planning a zero-waste, size-inclusive label, Sarah proves sustainability can be both ethical and cool. “Upcycling makes every piece unique – same pattern, different materials, completely new result.”
For Sarah, seeing her collection on the Visionary Voyage runway represents the culmination of years of work – “the reward that got me through the stressful moments.”
“The next generation of designers has to make a difference,” she adds. “Fast fashion remains a huge problem, but consumers are getting more conscious, asking where their clothes come from – that’s a start.”
Karen Barry – The resilience behind the craft
Karen Barry’s Four Seasons of Samurai tells a story of perseverance. Over seven years, while raising three children and facing serious health challenges, Karen remained committed to her costume design vision – and degree.
Inspired by Japanese culture, her collection chronicles a samurai’s life through four handcrafted outfits designed for New Year’s street parades.
“I challenged myself with unfamiliar materials,” Karen says. “Moving beyond cotton to create armour-like pieces using laser-cut leather, wool drill, and even 3D-printed elements.”
Unlike trend-driven fashion, costume design prioritises storytelling. “We consider character motivations, history, and how each piece brings a character to life.”
Costume graduates showcase one design on the runway, with their other pieces displayed in a static exhibition that highlights intricate details. Karen has already worked on Flinders University short films and is exploring further study in stage management.
The course behind the creativity
Behind the runway glamour lies a foundation of technical skill and problem-solving – exactly what TAFE SA and Flinders University’s program delivers.
“I didn’t know how to sew before I started,” says Sarah. But “patient and knowledgeable” lecturers, “fantastic teaching,” and an international exchange opportunity have prepared her to launch her own label.
Karen values how the course readied her for industry realities. “You learn to collaborate, work under pressure, and build connections that lead to real opportunities.”
Even Visionary Voyage itself demonstrates this collaborative spirit, with Hair & Beauty and Floristry students contributing styling, makeup, and floral design to bring the runway to life.
Other emerging fashion stars to watch
Also look for these distinctive collections on the runway:
- Lilli Orsillo’s Via Nicola – experimental fabric manipulation meets Secret Lagoon-inspired couture
- Sophie Wehr’s #AllInTheDetail – a daring fusion of fashion and accountancy, reimagining corporate wear
- Ellie Goldfinch’s Love Conquers All – exploring gender and fantasy through costume
- Yano Vannea’s KHMER – couture inspired by Cambodian classical dance and nature’s elements
- Liz Cufone’s The Feministic! Collection – a celebration of empowerment, blending feminine beauty with feminist ideals
- Lila Weidenbach’s Dusk – a high-fashion take on the Australian outback, infused with Parisian and Milanese couture
The future of SA fashion
South Australia’s fashion industry is thriving. Homegrown labels like Paolo Sebastian, House of Campbell, and Acler have gained international recognition, dressing everyone from It-girls Sydney Sweeney and Anya Taylor-Joy to icons like Beyoncé.
Meanwhile, SA costume designers like Roger Kirk and Perry Meek are winning awards and working with Lady Gaga, Hugh Jackman and Cher.
Many program graduates now work with major fashion brands like Bec and Bridge, PE Nation, and Camilla – proof that local designers can succeed nationally and internationally.
“There’s a buzz around local design right now,” says Sarah. “It’s exciting to see so many people appreciating the talent here.”
Thinking about a career in fashion or costume design? Explore TAFE SA and Flinders University’s Bachelor of Creative Arts – Fashion and Costume Design.
