1961 Magazine Fall 2014 | Page 50

DESIGN I started collaboration with Franco Zeffirelli as assistant costume designer; I travelled a lot between Rome, Catania and Milan. The theatre has always been my inspiration and place to dream. I decided to study Set Design in Sicily and in the mean time working. Suddenly my father passed away and this experience forced me to reorganize my life! I decide to leave Italy for a new adventure; I sent my CV to a few Theatre and Fashion houses in USA, Canada, and Australia. After a few months an Aussie company sent me a letter where they stated that are keen to sponsor me, and move to Sydney. My English was so bad that it took a few years to catch up; I started as a Visual Merchandiser for Department stores, and then freelance stylist for Fashion editorials and Music Videos ( for example the band the Sugababes, and their song Shape , was one music video that I styled) . Working in VM I realized I had all the skills for fashion , styling, colour; but I was missing the architectural side of things, I decided to study a masters in Store design. From this experiences my career totally changed; I was able to understand from the creation of the object to the commercialization and placement in store, to the new store opening etc. Soon as I finished I was offered my first real head VM & store \