Stepping out
Even though her fashion career is still in its early stages, Vincija Kovac already has the familiar swag of a well known designer. Along with her consonance-laden name - which draws an instant comparison with Australia's own design treasure Mira Vukovic - the 20-year-old student is more committed to mastering her craft than chasing illusions of fashion grandeur.
When she's not immersed in homework and assignments, Kovac says she is working away the hours on her industrial sewing machine at home. And when she's done with that, other similar hobbies occupy her time.
"I find that a really good way to learn how to make clothes and how to find out what sells and what doesn't is by selling my stuff on eBay and I've been doing that a lot at home. It's also a good way to build my reputation."
Selling handmade dresses for around $80 to $100 apiece, Kovac says the makeshift business allows her to earn money without detracting from her studies.
"For me to work on this is a real hands on experience," she adds. "It's kind of just as good as work experience because you have to make dresses that sell well and you have to market them well too when you describe them."
The budding entrepreneur has even found an economical substitute to expensive swing tags.
"They're a little dodgy - I just print little tags out on my computer and latch them on but it's cute, they're unique. I do feel that I need a little bit more experience in the real world but this is a good start for me."
When she eventually finds a foothold into Australia's fiercely competitive fashion industry, Kovac says she would like to produce unique, one-off pieces. This would involve opening her own boutique in Queensland and selling 'Vincija Kovac' dresses along with other niche Australian labels.
"These days everything's made offshore and everyone wears the same thing. I feel like having something really different, whether it's mine or another designer's."
In the meantime, it's back to the books for Kovac.
"I feel like I still have a lot more to learn about it all."
Much like Vincija Kovac, Annika Marchant is still a long way away from fashion glory. After both graduating and taking out the National Retailers Association Design Award in 2005, the promising designer decided to take a step away from the industry and consider a different career path altogether. And when she says "different" she means poles apart.
"Realistically, it takes a long time to build connections in the design industry," Marchant explains. "So I've just gone back to uni to study nursing."
Although she hasn't completely dismissed the prospect of future in fashion - in fact, she's considering the idea of opening a boutique in the US or UK - she says time and money have made it difficult for her to place her fashion career as a priority. Occasionally designing clothing for close friends and family, Marchant says she would rather create garments to the best of her ability than produce sloppy products for money.
"I actually bought a bulk of material a couple of years ago that I'm slowly getting through. When I have the time, I make things with care."
Hoping to one day strike a balance between both jobs, Marchant is thinking of moving to Canada or the US in the next five years to do so.
"I'd love to base myself there because you can earn more money. I'm pretty confident I could do nursing part-time and design too. I guess they both offer the communication aspect with regular people. And really, both things turn someone's day around whether you're physically helping them or making them feel beautiful in a dress."