Branded Fashion

I am a mature age student studying Brand Fashion at Billy Blue Collage. I'd previously completed a course in Textiles and Footwear Production in 2004. Through that course I had the opportunity to do an internship with the fashion designer Bowie, whom I met at Mercedes Fashion Week, which gave me my first taste of fashion design.

My biggest influence comes from my family who are all engineers – my grandfather was one of BHP's head engineers. The person who probably inspired me the most, and whom I have always looked up to, is my Aunty Kate. She is a lecturer in Industrial Design and came up with the concept of tunnels and spheres in children's playgrounds. I was always curious about what my aunty was making and designing and, luckily for me, she had the time and patience to explain her work, which I believe is how I developed an eye for design.

Personally for me design is about the journey of an idea into an experience that can be shared with others. I feel that no matter what area of the design industry you come from, there are so many possibilities in terms of ideas and where they can take you. This is what keeps me pursuing design – I always want to know what's around the next corner!

Since coming to Billy Blue, I have developed an interest in behaviours and interactions – how society works, how times have changed, how things interact and interrelate with each other. I appreciate what the past has given us and embrace what the future can bring. Design has never been more challenging and exciting than now!

I think the real turning point that made me want to pursue fashion design was my work experience with Mambo in Year 10. They had the most relaxed, creative working environment and they got paid to spend their days creating art.

For me, the dream has always been to see my work on the street. I don't care if people don't know my face; what really attracts me is the brief moment when I walk past a girl wearing a top or dress from my collection – and looking just as I had envisaged her. I feel that's the only way to know that your work is truly appreciated.

At the moment, I am all about tactile illustration. You can do amazing things with your Mac and Creative Suite, but there is something so beautiful and appealing about creating a physical entity with your hands, offering an aesthetic that no computer-aided design can match.

Right now I'm working on a logo for my DJ duo, Dirty Cutlery, completely hand executed. I think it presents a stark but interesting contrast to the digitally pumped designs so typical of the nightclub scene.

A designer whose work inspires me is London-based designer Hussein Chalayan, who works a lot with tech couture and experimental fashion. His runway shows have to be seen to be believed; the combination of visual effects, rotating runways and dresses that move and change as the models walk all display his collections spectacularly. He also produces beautiful ready-to-wear collections, but it is his innovative couture that really stands out.