Meet Juli, one of Australia’s most flexible fashion and product designers

This week, we’re delighted to introduce you to Juli, a Freelancing Gems member and one of Australia’s most flexible designers, working across ready to wear, bridal and uniforms across Australian and international brands.

We connected with Juli to find out more about her exciting career in fashion and what it’s really like to be a reality TV show winner.

You have a such an amazing career in fashion, when did you know it was the direction you wanted to take?

Fortunately for me my mum taught me to sew at a very young age – probably around eight – so I always knew growing up that my career would somehow be focused around fashion.  As I got older and finished school, watching my mum with her own business in manufacturing and working 24/7 made me think there was maybe something else for me… I tried hairdressing and that lasted for a hot second before I realised fashion was in my blood and I couldn’t deny it. The rest is history.

You won the first Australian series of Project Runway, what was that experience like for you?

Luckily for me, reality TV was just beginning when I went on Project Runway Australia in 2008, I didn’t really know what I was in for when I auditioned, so for us contestants we just had fun with it.  I think that’s why I was able to let my designs shine and not take it too seriously.  Back then it was about talent not drama so I really loved the experience.

Not only did you win Project Runway, you have launched your own label, designed for Virgin Australia and your designs have been worn by celebrities and been featured in Marie Claire, Vogue and Madison (just to name a few highlights). What has been your career highlight to date and what do you want to pursue next?

Why thank you, it’s been a long journey and as I say it doesn’t get easier you just get stronger.  I have done lots of uniforms to date including Suncorp, Great Southern Rail to name a few however my biggest career highlight is designing the uniforms for Virgin Australia, it was then my first large uniform job as the designer and it was such an exciting time in the company. John Borghetti had just taken over and things were changing in the company, I am lucky to have been a part of that and was able to create a uniform that reflected the change.  They are still wearing my uniform to this day and I am still working with Virgin Australia on always improving them.

What’s next? COVID has changed a lot in my career, last year I was in the middle of designing the new uniforms for WestJet in Canada, commuting back and forth for two years prior, now the project is on hold and it’s made me look outside the airline industry for more work.  Things always happen for a reason so I think that this is making me move to perhaps product design, helping other brands with their production and design or maybe interiors… the sky is the limit.

Connect with Juli

Juli is most well known for understanding how to make a woman feel amazing, through fabrication, tailoring, manufacturing and understanding women’s bodies of all shapes and sizes. She is currently seeking new design and consulting opportunities with brands and manufacturers. Connect with Juli on the Talent Board to explore how she can support your creative brand strategy and product design.