I'm Aliyah Wichman and I'm a 23 year old Fashion Designer based in Melbourne. In 2024, I had just moved away from home and my full-time job gave me plenty of time  to think about what I really wanted to do with my life. One day in my 30 minute lunch break, I applied to study a bachelor of Design at Whitehouse Institute of Design. ​

 

Being from rural South Australia meant that my exposure to the industry was minimal and so while I've had an eye for fashion throughout childhood, I only realised my genuine passion for design in my late teenage years. I taught myself to sew through thrift flip projects, improvising before I had a sewing machine. This resourcefulness and DIY attitude impacts my design approach and creative aesthetic today. 

 

I enjoy a pattern-making challenge and a tedious texture, with most of my work incorporating both. My design aesthetic reflects a feeling of hopelessness during difficult and uncertain times, with a touch of optimism: a reminder to find joy even when it’s not easy. The environmental impact of Fast Fashion is a particular issue which I aim to work toward improving throughout my career. This is usually portrayed using contrasting colours and anomaly. During my time at University I have also discovered my skill for illustration as textile print design and have integrated this into my unique aesthetic. As a designer my intention is to encourage individualism and de-normalise hyper-consumerism.