About
Statement
Working in high fashion houses, with their exquisite fabrics and materials, provided an opportunity to create and stimulate my creativity. Similarly, my work in theatre, collaborating with professionals in set and costume design, has fostered in me a passion for beauty and a harmonious blend, fundamental to my creations today.
My wellspring of inspiration flows from my Sicilian heritage, Australian lifestyle, and the rich flora and fauna that draw me to enchanting herbariums nestled within botanical gardens. These preserved plant specimens serve as a boundless source of creative influence.
In my ongoing artistic pursuits, I aim to depict a novel form of existence emerging from the delicate interplay between flora and fashion. Through my artistry, I strive to communicate a sense of vitality and metamorphosis, breathing life into these organic forms and weaving narratives that ignite the imagination.
Every brushstroke, every meticulously sculpted curve, and every intricate detail reflect my ever-evolving artistic journey and my unwavering quest to convey the intricate beauty inherent in the plant world.
By blending my expertise in fashion, theatre, Sicilian/Australian culture, and botanical aesthetics, I endeavour to create works that transcend the confines of conventional art forms. These works grant observers a glimpse into a realm where nature and creativity harmoniously coalesce. My most recent body of work symbolises a seamless amalgamation of my passions, weaving together the domains of flora and the meticulous manner in which flora is catalogued, as seen in herbariums.
I see the beauty within the botanical world, and how it adorns nature as almost the same as fashion and how that brings beauty to the human form. Within these creations, I discover the perfect confluence of my eclectic interests, yielding a captivating collection that truly embodies my artistic vision.
Everything, for me, is an herbarium to study and discover.
Biography
My journey is steeped in Italian roots, as I called Italy home from my birth in 1966 until 1999. Raised by industrious parents who fostered a boundless, no-limits education, I embarked on a fascinating path. My father, a banker was also an accomplished artist. After acquiring a diploma in Advertising Graphics, I left my hometown of Catania for Florence, where I delved deep into the realm of Fashion Design. Here, I honed my skills in the intricate art of sartorial and design techniques.
My academic journey culminated in a thesis and a remarkable fashion show, catapulting me into the world of Gianni Versace. I worked in this couture house for many years – designing fabrics and fashion that shaped this iconographic period.
This twist led me to pursue costume design, enrolling in a Scenography and Costume course at the Academy of Fine Arts in Agrigento. In those years, I collaborated with maestro Franco Zeffirelli, working on grand operatic productions and even represented Italy in a prestigious design competition in Japan.
Subsequently, I voyaged to Sydney, Australia, at the invitation of renowned designer Charlie Brown, who became my sponsor. My early years in Australia were a hustle, juggling full-time work with weekend stints as an advertising and video stylist. Recognizing the gaps in the Australian fashion scene, I extended my horizons by pursuing a Master’s in Design in Melbourne. This newfound knowledge opened doors to a variety of exciting opportunities. As time marched on, I settled in Adelaide, where a transformative decision beckoned me. I transitioned into a full-time artist, dedicating myself to unceasing exploration and the realisation of my creative vision, bound by an unwavering commitment to express, share, and satisfy my artistic cravings.
Born: Catania, Italy, 1966
Education:
Certificate III in Horticulture
TafeSa, Adelaide, 2023
Master in Design
Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, 2004 – 2006
Degree in Set and Costume Design
Accademia di Belle Arti Michelangelo, Agrigento, Italy, 1995 – 1999
Degree in Fashion Design and Communication
Polimoda, Florence, Italy, 1990 – 1993
Diploma in Advertising Graphics
Istituto di Belle Arti di Catania, Italy, 1985 – 1990
Work Experience:
Interior Design
Ikea Business, Sydney, 2013 – 2021
South East Asia & Oceania Visual Merchandiser Manager
Bally, Singapore, 2009 – 2013
National Visual Merchandising & Store Designer
Diesel, Sydney, Australia, 2004 – 2009
Head of Visual Merchandising & Store Designer
Napoleon Perdis, Sydney, Australia, 2000 – 2004
Fashion Designer
Gianni Versace, Milan, Italy, 1995 – 1999
Career Chronicles: Navigating Design and Art Spaces
Designer Residency, GP11, Rome, Italy, 1992
Designer Residency with Franco Zeffirelli, Milan, Rome, Catania, Italy, 1994/95
Fashion Stage at Gianni Versace Srl., Milan, Italy, Autumn/Winter 1997
Creative Engagement: Sugar Babes “Shape of My Heart” Video Clip, Sydney, Australia, 2004