Rada Priya

This look centres on my oversized “Demi” coat - the hero piece from my Origine Graduate Collection. I designed it as a strong, statement outer layer, using high-quality faux fur and reclaimed materials to keep the piece aligned with my eco-friendly values. It’s bold, comfortable, and intentionally dramatic, the kind of coat that changes how you stand the moment you put it on. Underneath, it's paired with layered silks and textured detailing made from ethical and upcycled fabrics. Most of the materials in this outfit were sourced second-hand or repurposed from past projects, which is the way I prefer to work: low-waste, thoughtful, and practical without losing the beauty of the design. Dean James  shot this series in  Victoria Springs  studio within the  M|Arts precinct,  and his photography brought out exactly what I hoped to show - the mix of strength, softness and sustainability that shaped this collection. This is Part One of the shoot. 

Some collaborations arrive quietly, almost like a gift you didn’t realise you were waiting for. Working with fellow TAFE student Nicole McKenzie became one of those unexpected highlights of my year. She and I are both still shaping our crafts-she behind the lens, me behind the seams-two students learning not just technique, but how to translate who we are into what we create. Seeing my work through Nicole’s eye was a revelation. She didn’t just photograph garments; she caught the handwork, the intention, the small details that usually only the maker notices. In her images, I saw my designs-and myself- more truthfully. Not just as a student, but as a woman growing into her own creative voice. It’s collaborations like this that remind me why this journey matters: the shared curiosity, the generosity between emerging artists, the way someone else’s vision can help you recognise your own. I’m deeply grateful to Nicole for capturing this chapter-me, my work, my designs-held with such clari...

When I walked into the Tweed Weekly office to meet Jonathan, the editor, I was mostly just hoping I’d find the right door. I’d been asked by my friend (and journalist) Madeline Murray to fill in for her while she recovers from surgery - my first little step into local journalism. Jonathan looked up, smiled, and said:  “I recognise you, you’ll be in the paper tomorrow.” The week before, Madeline and I had worked on a story about a local collaboration - I had no idea it would end up splashed across the front page. Full circle moments have a funny way of sneaking up on you. I first met Dean three years ago at TAFE - I was studying photography, and he was in graphic design. We used to talk about how incredible it would be if students from different creative disciplines actually worked together , like we would in the real world. Fast forward to now: I’m wrapping up my Diploma of Fashion Design, and Dean has just completed the same Certificate IV Photography course I once did. Afte...

A growing archive of event posters I’ve designed for Buttery Chard’s Drag Queen Bingo - where camp meets Canva and every theme is a new visual playground. I draw inspiration directly from the queen herself and the show’s ever-changing themes: from flapper glam and Queen Bey’s  Cowboy Carter  to Christmas chaos and retro ‘80s realness. Each poster is created using Canva, guided by a strong intuitive eye for graphic detail - a skill I didn’t learn, but one I’ve always had. (That said, I’ve since paired my natural instincts with formal training in design elements and principles.) Where I like to think high Camp meets Helvetica  The Queens At the heart of Drag Queen Bingo is Buttery Chard , the dazzling alter ego of my dear friend Ryan. One of the things I’ve always admired about Ryan - long before the wigs and lashes - is his deep commitment to inclusivity. He has this effortless way of going with the flow, letting his community lift him up, which in turn lifts everyone arou...

 There is a quiet ritual in returning to an artwork a year after year-be a painting, a fashion monograph, or shadowy photograph once captured in a fleeting second. What once stunned me with surface beauty begins to find deeper things with time. These work don't fade. They gather. They become layered - like fabric worn in the elbows, softer, richer, more personal. The artists I return to, Alexander McQueen, Collette Dinnigan, Yves Saint Laurent, etc, never really leave. The work isn't just historical or trendy, it resists the very idea of expiration. These aren't seasonal moments, they are iterative legacies. The garments, sketches, philosophies, continue to reveal themselves in fragments - as I change, as the world does. This is the infinite life of art: it doesn't age, it ages with you. And in that shared timeline, you co-author its meaning. You respond differently at 22 then at 39. The heartbreak you hadn't yet lived, the maternal instinct that hadn't yet woke...

  Rada Priya 25/26' Concept board Fashion has always been a part of my creative soul, but after stepping away for years, returning through my studies has reignited a passion I thought I'd left behind. Now, deep in the concept phase of my 2025/2026 diploma graduation collection, I'm drawing inspiration from the opulence of Paris Couture Fashion Week SS25, particularly the breathtaking craftsmanship of Armani Privé. This collection is about honoring my roots in intricate beadwork while embracing sustainable practices and modern elegance. My design process starts with textiles, and my palette has evolved into a rich tapestry of verdant hues—lush greens, earth tones, metallic blues, and soft greys. Sustainability remains at the forefront, with natural fibres, ethically sourced Thai silk from my travels last year, and upcycled fabrics from local op shops. Faux fur, a treasure from my decade-old fabric collection, adds a layer of texture and nostalgia. Embellishments will include...