Stepping Out

1:Producing successful designers both in Australia and off-shore the Moreton Institute of TAFE introduces one of its current and former fashion students to Samantha Docherty.

A pro soccer player for six years in Italy, Joshua Roberto Scacheri, didn't kick his fashion talent into gear until living in the leading fashion country.
"I was always interested in looking presentable and dressing with individual trends, but my life in Italy really influenced me in the way I looked at fashion. Each year I would return to Australia wearing the new trends of the European season, so I guess that's what really made me think what I wanted to do next in my life."
Studying an advanced diploma of textiles, clothing and footwear part-time at Moreton Institute of TAFE since 2004, Scacheri's course goes in-depth into many aspects of the fashion industry.
"We study areas from design - range development, pattern making, sewing and forecasting trends to computer skills which involve illustrator and Photoshop. We also [study] business plans, marketing and global operations which help us get ready to start our own business or understand the factors of importing, exporting and manufacturing off shore.
Singing the TAFE's praises Scacheri said he wouldn't have achieved what he has if he didn't have great teachers and interesting subjects.
"The teaching is very industry based and has a unique atmosphere as we have more of a one-on-one with [our teachers] compared to a large university. I would only recommend [fashion] if the person was really passionate about it. Sometimes you find people who study fashion for the [fairytale] glamorous elements, but glamour is far from what it is. Fashion is a hard industry and if you think you will become the next Giorgio Armani, you got some thinking to do!"
Hoping to graduate June this year, Scacheri plans to continue to expand his menswear label. Launched during his second year of study, SUBFUSCO is a sophisticated collection with an edge. Dressing men 18 to 40, Scacheri currently has five accounts in Queensland and New South Wales. The range consists of tailored jackets with quirky pocket details and lapel shapes, denim jeans with funky pockets and great fit, t-shirts, shorts and shirts.
"I believe that men in Australia dress down too much and the real gentleman needs to come back. I add an edge so it attracts my customer giving them a contrast of street with sophistication."
Recently awarded best new S/S apparel collection at Fashion Exposed's Debut, judges Mary Gualtieri, regional director of Fashion Group International and Jaqueline Perrett, fashion assistant of Nylon Magazine liked its unique clean innovative edge that will be appealing to the vast menswear market.
For Scacheri Fashion Exposed was a great experience.
"From just finding out how the trade shows run, to meeting fashion agents, fabric suppliers and industry based people, the event was a massive success for me. I
Another Moreton student who's spent time in Italy, Jane Morley graduated at the end of 2004 with an advance diploma of textiles, clothing and footwear before winning the Moreton Institute of TAFE Industry scholarship which allowed her to study at FIT/Polimoda in Florence for six months.
Offered to one student per year the amazing experience allows a student to spend a semester in Italy increasing their knowledge of the industry and enhancing their designs.
"Studying in Italy was fantastic not only because I learnt more European techniques of developing collections but because we undertook in-depth studies into the concept of luxury companies, products, and branding. This was a mind blowing subject to cover as we were surrounded by many of the world's most luxurious companies and were able to take unique field trips to places such as the Gucci prototype factory and the Pitti Immagine trade shows in Florence as well as Premiere Vision in Paris. In addition we were able to take mock design trips to study a foreign market by trend researching in the streets and shops of both Paris and Antwerp."
Finding her style has changed in the last year or two, Morley said the extraordinary range of new influences and experiences she had in Italy changed the way she approaches design and added another dimension to her work.
"The fashion world is not that different to what I expected but the strongest realisation I had was that while design skills are important if you don't also have the more practical skills for day to day work in a design office you will find it difficult to get anywhere. No one will hand you the job of creative director on a silver platter so you have to be prepared to work your way up and be eager to learn the nuts and bolts of the fashion industry as well as have the vision to design a good collection."
After finishing her semester in Italy, Moreton did a short stint in London as an intern for a former Moreton student, stylist and accessory designer Henrietta Dups and also worked for London based fashion label Lotus London.
Leaving Europe Morley landed an internship at Marc Jacobs in New York (NY) by simply sending in her resume and following it up.
"I was passing through NY for a holiday at the time they were interviewing. I was lucky because they insist on in-person interviews and it would have been difficult for me at any other time."
Working in the collections department since January, Morley has been able to observe her fashion idol sketching and developing his collection in close quarters.
"It has been an amazing learning experience and such an inspiration to observe Marc at work. He has such wonderful vision and it was incredible to be able to watch that come to life from sketch to runway. During the preparations for the autumn 2006 Marc Jacobs show we were working seven days a week and extremely long hours which was really hard on everyone in the office. However, it was all worthwhile when we went to see the show and celebrate the beautiful garments we had helped to create. Fashion seems to be a tiring industry at times but it is so rewarding when you see a vision come to life."
Ending her internship this month Morley has been offered another job in NY as the assistant handbag designer at Calvin Klein White Label.
"I'm really excited about it and the most hilarious and clichéd thing about [the job] is I'll be working in an office in the Empire State Building. It sounds so unlikely and dream-like that I almost don't believe it myself!"

Morley's designs for the FIT/Polimoda graduation fashion parade in Florence.