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.