It’s been just over a month since I began my first semester of Fashion & Costume Design at LCI Melbourne, & already the concept for my hero garment has evolved – as have I. What began as a single idea has expanded to embrace the freedom of my recent solo travels, the growth that journey sparked, & the excitement of new learning, collaboration, & creative exploration.
This phoenix is in continuous reincarnation, shedding the old & embracing the new with a velocity that keeps me constantly motivated & in the moment.
The Flow of Inspiration
This past month has been a whirlwind of discovery. My design continues to shift shape, inspired by experiences & the incredible people who share their wisdom so generously. I’ve been fortunate to learn from staff, mentors, fellow students & alumni from both LCI Melbourne & LCI Barcelona, as well as from the vibrant makers at Thread Den & fellow designers, artists, & friends who constantly remind me why I love what I do.
Each exchange – whether in a classroom, studio, or late-night conversation – has deepened my understanding of what it means to design with purpose. I’m realising that fashion is not just about form or fabric; it’s about connection. The connection between people, stories, materials, & ideas.
Progress & Perfectionism
I’ve secured my accommodation in the heart of Barcelona for next semester, which feels surreal – both exciting & grounding. But the anticipation doesn’t lessen the pressure I put on myself. I catch my perfectionism creeping in daily, & I’m constantly reminding myself to pause, breathe, & enjoy the process. Art, after all, can’t thrive if I strangle it with self-doubt.
I’m learning to let go – to allow my designs to evolve as they need to, to trust the creative current, & to find joy in the making.
In the Studio
I’m about to complete the first part of my first assignment & steadily working through the second: drafting the tailored jacket & trouser patterns & creating the toiles. Each day brings a new spark of inspiration & a flood of research. My sketchbooks are filling fast, my practical sewing skills are growing sharper, & my ideas are starting to take tangible form.
I’m especially eager to forge the metal bodice & experiment with spray-painting the phoenix tattoo design onto the hot air balloon fabric – a piece that feels symbolic of my own ongoing transformation.
Time is flying at a wild pace; it’s hard to believe I’m already a third through the semester. Most nights end in a few hours of sleep before another day at uni or working at home, but I’m energised by the process. There’s no room for doubt – only trust in the making.
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Larissa Sarina BAGLIERI 