Meet RMIT's winning designers for the Jeanswest T-shirt competition

Meet Jessica Gregory, a fourth year student studying the Bachelor of Fashion (Design) (Honours), and Jessica-Louise Carrubba, a first year student from the Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design).

The fashion and textile design students have won two of the four T-Shirt designs in 2017 Jeanswest Blank Canvas competition.

This years competition asked budding designers to showcase their talent by designing a tee, based on the theme ‘What does Australia mean to you?’.

Simon Quinn Menswear Product Manager Jeanswest said the Blank Canvas competition gives students a chance to engage with the industry,

“It’s exciting to see the creativity that comes through from up and coming designers who will contribute to shaping the future of Australian Fashion.”

Meet the designers: Jessica Gregory and Jessica-Louise Carrubba

Land of diversity by Jessica Gregory

Jessica Gregory is currently in her fourth year studying a Bachelor of Fashion (Design)(Honours) and finishing her honours project. When Jessica gets a break from working on her honours project she enjoys drawing, drinking coffee and visiting her family in rural Tasmania.

What motivated you to study design?

When I was younger I always said I wanted to be an artist when I grew up, and this never really changed but rather merged into a love for fashion design. Design is a way for me to express my interests, concerns and feelings about the world around me. I don’t know how I’d ever be able to relax without some sort of creative output.

What are your plans after you graduate?

This year I have been pushed to try everything and experiment in order to find my strengths. For me, this meant discovering a love for print through textile design. Following my studies, I would definitely like to continue in this area by first working for and learning from successful brands and then ultimately starting my own, print-focused brand.

How has winning the Blank Canvas competition helped your career journey?

This is my first competition experience and also the first time I've had one of my own designs produced in a commercial setting. I have so much admiration for Jeanswest for providing this platform for young and emerging designers.

I was drawn to the Blank Canvas Competition because it allowed complete artistic freedom to respond to the theme with our own individual message and aesthetic. This meant that we were able to put ourselves and our design into the world for the first time in a way that showed who we are and how we want to be viewed as future designers.

Surf All Day by Jessica-Louise Carrubba

Jessica-Louise Carrubba is one third of the way through a Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) degree. Jess loves to chase the sun and hang upside down on her aerial silk in her spare time and is inspired most when she is outside being active.

What motivated you to study design?

I chose design because without it, well…there’s a lot that wouldn’t exist. I love the beauty of workshopping an idea, and then seeing it come to life. I’m also extremely passionate about challenging the mind and channelling creativity to present fresh solutions.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I love the fashion and fabric world. We can change attitudes, facilitate experience and do what we do successfully without hurting the earth. In the future I would love to follow a pathway linked to sustainability and printed textiles.

How does winning Blank Canvas competition help you on your career journey?

This collaboration has provided invaluable insight into the working industry as well as better exposure than any first year student could imagine. The open brief allowed plenty of creative scope, as well as personal style to shine through. The possibility of experiencing your design in professional, tangible form is completely enticing; it’s the high that all designers strive and work for!

Read the full story and purchase the t-shirts via Jeanswest.

Story: Jeanswest and Scott Knight