Latest / Project Emerald Collective / 14-Year-Old Fashion Designer on Purpose, Family & Growing Up Without Screens | Olivia Robertson
Transcript
- Olivia: you can wish for it or you can work for it. My favourite is that standing in the ocean won't change the tide. To change the tide, you must go to the moon. We've always been very much like get out there, work for the things that you want to happen in life. Eve: Welcome to the Project Emerald Collective. I'm your host, Eve McIntyre. Every week I sit down with women who have chosen to live differently. Designers, founders, creatives, psychologists, adventurers and change makers. People asking bigger questions about how we live, work, create and connect. These conversations aren't really about fashion. They're about living with intention. finding the courage to be yourself and discovering what becomes possible when you stop living by expectation and start living by choice. If that's the kind of life you're creating too, you're in the right place. Now let's go. Today I'm joined by Olivia Robertson, an inspiring young Tasmanian designer who began sewing at just four years old and entered the Tasmanian Fashion Festival for the first time when she was only 12. Olivia is now preparing to return to the runway this year for her third year with a transformative monochrome design that reflects her imagination, technical ability, and willingness to experiment. What really stands out. about Olivia is not just her creativity, but also her drive to learn about the wider fashion industry and help create more opportunities for young people in Tasmania. Olivia, welcome to the Project Emerald Collective. Olivia: Thank you for having me. Eve: So good to have you here. So before we talk about fashion, we'll just I'd love to find out more about you. So who is Olivia and how would you describe yourself? Olivia: I reckon if I had to describe myself, positive and happy are probably the two words that come to mind. I'm very talkative, but most of all, I'm someone who really loves my family and being around other people and has a lot of passions and a give it a go attitude. Which I Eve: amazing. Olivia: reckon is a very important thing to have in the fashion world. Otherwise it's a lot of stress and new opportunities. So Eve: Yeah. Yeah, don't ever lose that positivity and that love of communication and people. What does life look like for you at the moment? Olivia: I am in my second year of high skill. balancing high skill with fashion and sport, which is a big part of my life as well, and work, it can get pretty crazy. I practice my instruments in the morning, then I get home, I play sport, I come back home from sport and I'm pretty much flat out working on my dresses every night can get pretty late and very tiring. it's difficult to try and balance everything, Eve: is it because you're preparing for the upcoming Tasmanian Fashion Festival? Olivia: Yes, so I start working on my designs let's say pretty much a month after each show finishes, so then Eve: Mm-hmm. Olivia: I'm working on it nearly every day, planning, designing, making, until right up until the actual event. So it's a lot of build up stress and pressure, but it's all worth it in the end. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. we can't wait to see your designs this year. So where does your love of fashion begin? What's your earliest memory of being creative? Olivia: I was pretty young when I started designing and kind of just fiddling around with different parts of fashion and sewing. I've always just loved walking past the shop display windows and seeing all the colours and the shapes and the patterns. And I guess that's where it really started for me, was just seeing how people can express themselves through their clothes and what they wear. It's like being able to read a person based on the clothes that they put on and like how they carry themselves. It's a really big part of understanding and getting to know people. Eve: It is, you're right. So you began sewing when you were only four years old, and who taught you? Olivia: So most of my family is pretty creative, but my dad has always been a massive help. None of us really have ever done sewing before. But one day got a machine for my fourth birthday 'cause I've always just loved even just the little hand sewing kits And I remember sitting and just practicing sewing like straight lines and trying to learn how to thread a bobbin. It was really difficult at that age. it was my dad who helped me the most and my mum was my biggest supporter. Eve: That's beautiful. What were some of the first things that you made? Olivia: I used to make these little jewellery bags. They used to be my go-to favourite practice piece. They were just like little clip pouches for my mum's jewellery that she could use because she travels. and I used to just practice getting the lines really nice and straight and making sure that they were neater and neater every time. But also my sister used to love the OMG dolls. So I used to make her Barbie clothes for them. she always used to love that. I remember playing a lot with her when we were younger and just making all these little things. It was really cute little sister activity as well. Eve: did you create your own designs? Olivia: Yes, we're both very artsy with our sketches and she's very good. She loves her Poscopens, so we used to draw them and then try and like bring them to life, I guess. Eve: when did sewing become more than just a hobby for you? Olivia: I reckon when I learnt about the Tasmanian Fashion Festival, I kind of realized that even living in Hobart, I always thought it would be something that I would go into, but I never imagined I could go into it so early, living in Hobart. I always thought it was something that I would have to wait until I was older and I could go to UTS and study fashion. But once I learnt about the TFF and I entered for the first time it's like that just got real. Like I can do this kind of stuff now. There's opportunities here. And it just grew and grew. So now here I am. Eve: tell us about the entry process. Olivia: again, my dad has always helped a lot with all that kind of stuff. the entry process is quite long. there's the registering and then the designing and creating itself and the time frames I always find really difficult because I have to figure out when I'm gonna have time to do this and when I want to get this part done it's very Long and busy, but it's always a lot of fun. Eve: when did you enter the competition for the first time? Olivia: I think it must have been 2024 and I was twelve years old. it was my first fashion runway and I loved it. I got there and I saw the models getting ready, everything done and fitted. then when I saw my piece walk down the runway, I was like, This is what I'm supposed to be doing. This is where I'm supposed to be. And I just knew it in my heart. Like I've always known it to an extent, my one true passion and what I really loved. Eve: It's beautiful that you found that out already at such a young age. Olivia: I'm really grateful that I because some people go their entire life never knowing what that Eve: They do. Olivia: one true thing is, but I'm really, really grateful that I was able to discover it so young and kind of know what wanted to work towards. Eve: were you always confident sharing your creations or has your confidence grown over time? Olivia: I've always been, positive and happy and along with that comes a lot of self confidence. I've been able to grow and push myself with my skills. but the TFF has blown that out of the water. the amount of change and the amount of growth in my designs. from when I was twelve to now is incredible. they have been able to completely shape the whole course of my fashion career. I'm extremely grateful that happened. Eve: That's incredible. what made you brave enough to say yes, do you think? Olivia: I've always dreamed of my entire life, doing a runway show. And when I had the opportunity to do it at such a young age I was just blown away that we could even have something like that in Hobart because we're extremely small and we have a lot of amazing opportunities in Hobart but fashion's never been won. But when I heard about the TFF I thought, like, this is it, I've gotta do this. It's gonna be scary, it's gonna be tough, but I gotta do it. Otherwise I'm going to be really disappointed. Eve: Good on you, that's so great. it's really amazing that they have a dedicated runway to the up-and-coming designers. Olivia: Yeah. Eve: So how have your designs and confidence evolved over the past three years? Olivia: Well, they've definitely got more complicated. Eve: Mm-hmm. Olivia: colours and themes have definitely changed. I've always loved some of the older fashions as well. I've always tried to bring a little bit of fashion history into some of my designs and combine it with modern trends and colours that kind of around at the time. my designs have evolved with the ins and outs of fashion during the year and time that they were designed. Eve: tell us about the design you're creating for this year's festival. Olivia: This year. I had, my incredible mentorship with Celyna Ziolkowski She is an incredible woman, and I am so grateful that I had that opportunity. Without her, my skill level would be much further down than it is right now. And she is an incredible person as well as an incredible teacher. we were looking at some of my designs from the previous year and we collaborated and we did a bit on a corset top, a bodice. I looked at it and I was like, you know what, I'm gonna do this, I'm going to make it bigger and improved and I'm gonna come back with a different and much more out of my comfort zone design than what I had last year. Eve: tell us about the mentorship with Celyna and how that came about. Olivia: So last year after I submitted my first collection, so I had three pieces, I had also submitted a portfolio to her and she offered me a twelve month mentorship with her at the end of last year's fashion show and it was just the biggest moment, I was shaking afterwards and It was the best moment of my life by far. I have learnt so much from her. I'm beyond grateful for the experience I've had with her. Eve: tell us a bit about what you've learnt from her specifically, Olivia: drapery and pattern making. Pattern making was a big one that is very important and I learned a lot more about. a lot of new skills and new concepts were brought in. A little bit about fashion history and learning about materials. I also really like that not only did we do practical but we also did a bit on business and learning about profit and making sure we know what our dresses can go for, what we should be asking for, how much everything cost to run and how we need to be able to manage and look after our suppliers. So a lot about being financially stable and sustainable. Eve: Yeah, amazing. That's so powerful to learn at such a young age. Olivia: Yes. Eve: has she changed the way that you think about design or the fashion industry? Olivia: Yes, definitely. She has had a massive impact on the way that I think about and look at the fashion world. I don't think that I had any idea going into it how much is involved with the fashion industry. It's so much more than a few luxury logos there and a runway show here and a few models. it's passion and it's art and it's everything. Like you look around, you see fashion everywhere. It's illustrations, Eve: Mm. Olivia: it's even words and books, it's the clothes you wear, it's the way you feel, it's everything. Eve: It's true, and it's history and it's culture and Olivia: Exactly. Eve: it's a way to interact with people without speaking necessarily, depending Olivia: Yes. Eve: on what statement you're trying to make. it shapes a lot of our cultures subconsciously. Olivia: Yes, and our emotion is a Eve: Mm. Olivia: really good way to express emotion and as you said, history, it's a good way of showing what was going on in the era and how things grow and change. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. It's a reflection of that moment in time for sure. Olivia: Yes. Eve: how important is it for emerging creatives to have someone experienced believe in them? Olivia: I would say it is definitely a vital part. In Tassie we don't have so many opportunities and now that the TAFE course has closed down, we don't have that many teachers and professionals around that will be able to say, you're going in the right direction. Like, let me help you grow your skills or you could be doing this and this and then it's like looking really good or like keep going, you're like on your way. Without that You could be doing something good and there could be so many different ways you could be doing even better and especially if it's something that you want to go into. having someone that has actually been through it all believe in you is so essential. Because it's all good and well having other people telling you it's like, wow, it's incredible, but having an actual industry professional being able to give you their take and view on your work and your experiences and everything. it's incredible. Eve: and pass on that knowledge and constructive feedback as well, I imagine. Olivia: Yes, absolutely. Eve: wow, what a great opportunity. can you describe to us the design that you're creating for this year's festival? Olivia: Well this year it is a two piece gown, it's two and one, it's transformative. So it's essentially one garment that goes into another in the blink of an eye, hopefully if it all works, there's quite a trend at the moment for the mini and the maxi dresses you see everywhere and colours and shapes and very much around the silhouetted figures. So pretty much it's a transformative piece that goes from a maxi to a mini. Eve: where did the idea for the transformative dress come from? Olivia: it did come from Celyna she was showing me some of the incredible pieces that she's made for her daughter over the past few years and the amazing things that you can do with really fast quick changes that blows people away 'cause they look one second and it's like completely different and it blows people's minds. So if you can pull it off, it is really quite an incredible sight to behold. Eve: is it a different look and feel though, from the maxi to the mini? Olivia: Yes. it's the same colour all the way through, but I guess you look once and it's a long, formal dress, and then the next moment you look and it's like fierce and it's shorter and it's from elegant to striking, transforming your feelings as well, I guess. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. Can you take us through the creative process from your first idea to the finished garment? Olivia: everything tends to change a lot. originally I will have an idea in my head and by the end of it it's really interesting to see how much it's grown and changed and evolved from the original concept. Celyna has taught me a lot about the creative process. originally just going from a sketch straight into designing and planning, more so to an idea and a concept. looking at my supplies and everything I've got, imagining and looking at all the different fabrics and really learning to start looking at different concepts of design, opposed to just thinking this is gonna work, But you were focusing a lot on looking what fabric actually will work with what concepts and shapes and silhouettes because obviously some won't work as well with certain designs. so that's a big part that I never even considered before mentoring with Celyna. But going from kind of a a machinist sketch which shows where everything should be to a more of an illustration to get an idea of how I'd like it to more artistically look. pattern making, making sure that everything it will actually work and line up, and like lots of mock ups and then a lot of trial and error for me. with creating everything from different parts of skirts and bodices to mess ups of fabrics and successes and defeats, but Eventually you end up with the final product and at the moment I'm pretty happy with it. Still got a little bit of work to go, but it should be on track for a couple weeks' time. Eve: Yeah, how exciting. So how much experimentation is involved? Olivia: A lot. So I still a lot of it I do like to be a quite independent. So in this case I was taught a lot about pattern making especially for the bodice, but we didn't focus as much well not yet anyway, on the like kind of bottom half because it's not usually as complicated. a lot of the structure is up. more sits. hips up is very, very important, especially with the look where skirts and pants are a lot more a lot more straightforward. but previous years it's been pretty much I've just done it all on my own, so it's a lot of trial and error. if I said to anyone right now, like, I want to you to build me a house, that's it. Like it's very similar to architecture with trying to figure out how everything stays up and like dimensions, how everything's gonna fit perfectly, because a lot of dresses have to fit exactly to the body shape it's very daunting actually because I used to have no idea how anything would work. It was very much like a puzzle where designing and trial and error and it was very stressful at times, but it was always worth it. Eve: so you've said that your final designs can look quite different from these original sketches. So how do you know when to follow the plan and how do you determine when to let the design change? Olivia: It usually for me it varies. sometimes I will have my original design and I will be three quarters of the way done and the time will be running really short, something might not be working and I've got to problem solve. usually it's pivoting, looking at what I've got and looking at what I could do to be more time efficient, and to have it overall a neater product at the end. Like for example, this year it was going to go from a maxi to a a one piece pants suit with the fitted bodice but a lot of complications along the way. So I was able to pivot and look at what I've got and the amount of time left and I was able to save it 'cause it's more a matter of when it comes down to it for me, neatness. and getting it done on time. So not so much getting hung up on what realistically couldn't work. So that's how I know when it's time to think about changing it up a little. A lot of the time it will stay the same but with minor changes. But sometimes it does pivot quite greatly. Eve: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I guess you've got to work to the time constraints when you've got Olivia: Yes. Yes. Eve: a event deadline coming up. Olivia: Yes, it like this one in the background here. that has changed pretty much nothing from the original design except the amount of layers. Right now it has four. It used to have eight, but had slightly pivot, and pretty much everything else is the same, but this year's was a greater pivot. it doesn't always go to plan, but most of the time it's quite easy to see what will work in the amount of time I have. Eve: Mm-hmm. Yeah, absolutely. So what do you hope the audience feels when they see it on the runway? Olivia: Ooh, that's a good question. probably a bit like my gosh, wow, like look at that. Like hopefully it's not boring or just something that people look past and like, yeah, that was unmemorable. Something that they will remember. 'cause I know when I went home from pretty much every single runway so far, I've always had one or two pieces in my head. I I just can't stop talking about. It's almost like as a example, seeing someone pull off an amazing save in like volleyball or an incredible move in a football game and just like having your mind fixated on that one move or that one design or like that one incredible moment that you just can't stop thinking about. Eve: Yeah, that's the equivalent, I guess, in fashion. Olivia: Yes. Eve: what influences your other designs? Like is it historical fashion, art, textures, what's happening in the world, nature? Olivia: Yes. I like to bring a little bit, of the historical parts into my fashion. I've always been a little bit more fixated on the elegant figures of long ago, but a lot of modern day trends as well, especially with colours and what's in. because it is also about what will sell and looking at advertisement, what's appealing to people nowadays as well. like making sure there's a fine line between something that might be quite incredible for this point in time and something that's pushing the boundaries way ahead of its time. So making sure that it is up to date, but still bringing a bit of that olden day elegance and class into it. Eve: when you imagine your future, where would you love fashion to take you? Olivia: when I've pictured my future, it's always been in a management position, if I'm being honest. I've always loved the hands-on parts and that is something I will definitely continue with. because I've always loved people and working with people, and being able to look at all different aspects of fashion. 'cause when you think of fashion and jobs and fashion, you know of fashion designer and runway model. That's the two that come to your head when you think of jobs and fashion. But in reality there's creative designers, there's directors, there's machinists, there's stylists, there's everything under the sun and moon. Most people wouldn't have any idea that a machinist and a fashion designer are two different things. I've always thought a management position where I'm a lot more active with other people and marketing and finance. Eve: Yeah, wow, it's great that you know your strengths are and what you're interested in already. do you think that working since you were twelve has helped teach you those skills? Olivia: Yes, I definitely think it has. my family, all of us have always been very goal oriented. We've always worked towards what we've wanted. We've never been one to just will it into existence. you can wish for it or you can work for it. My favourite is that standing in the ocean won't change the tide. To change the tide, you must go to the moon. We've always been very much like get out there, work for the things that you want to happen in life. and I guess I was ready when I was twelve, gosh, it feels like a long time ago now. I was like, right, I need to get out there, start working towards the things that I want to happen. and give it a hundred percent. Eve: Yeah, that's amazing. I love that quote. So Olivia: Thank you. Eve: how do you balance skill, work, sport, music, art and designing? Olivia: It sounds like quite a long list, but in reality it it is difficult, but if you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it work. Eve: Mm. Olivia: So I am trying my best to get everything done that I need to get done at skill. I then come home, I do all my homework. I have sport that I do every single day of the week. Bar Fridays, Fridays are good day to relax. but work in particular, it's actually a really good challenge actually to try and manage that and still have time to go and see friends and do all the things that you should be doing when you're fourteen. at the moment it's pretty easy to manage. I work at Hill Street, the people there are some of the most incredible, hard working people I have ever met in my entire life. Not a single person there is sitting around lazing ever. It's in an incredible environment to work for and I am so deeply elated and grateful that I was able to have such an opportunity to work there Eve: you've created that opportunity for yourself though So well done. Olivia: Thank you. Eve: how has working with customers helped build your confidence and communication skills? Olivia: it has definitely built my skills immensely. like absolutely such a difference. I would never have called myself shy, but definitely I could be a bit quiet sometimes. I guess confidence in being able to talk to people and learning 'cause some people want to talk to you more than others. You'll have the lovely ones that you'll serve and they'll always be very engaged in the conversation and then learning to know when people aren't as engaged as well is a really handy skill to have. But I feel like I've just learned to channel all my positivity and just go straight into making sure that I am representing Hill Street and doing the best job I can for them and making sure that I'm able to make someone's day with a smile and helping them with their shopping and it's such a good way to be able to just learn to interact with people and get a good taste of what it's like to work a job and learn to balance that on top of everything else. So it's really, really amazing to have the opportunity. Eve: It is. Working in frontline customer service or hospitality is so valuable learning so much about yourself and reading Olivia: It is yeah. Eve: people and thinking on your feet, being resourceful. Olivia: Yes, there was something with the Commonwealth, I think, that caused all the stores tills and everything to stop working. So that was a very high stress pressure situation. I was amazed at how well all the employees managed to handle it. They were so calm. compared to some other stores that I heard went more into a freak out mode. learning to think on your feet and learning to own my mistakes. That is always something I thought is really important to me is being able to own my mistakes and making sure that I'm never trying to do a job half done or trying to sweep anything under the rug or go unnoticed, making sure that I own what I am doing and making sure that I'm doing it correctly. You can always learn from a bit of constructive feedback, which is I reckon the way I grow most is a good old like you can be doing this and this better. Like, right, I'll knuckle down and find a way to do those better. Eve: on you. It's such a good attitude to have and not everyone has that. So yeah, be proud of them. Olivia: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It's not it's actually easy to find that kind of attitude when I'm going into an environment where you see the owner Marco, he goes out and he sweeps the path and the entrance and he's the owner. He could sit back and do nothing if he wanted to, but he's out there every day working and nothing is below him. He's such a hard worker. It's really inspiring to see him and his entire family actually getting in there and just working every day with a smile on their face. It's inspiring. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. what a good ethic to have instilled in you from a leadership perspective as well. Olivia: Yeah. watching watching everyone at Hill Street, it's really just been such such a blessing to be honest. I don't think I'd be the way I am now if it wasn't for them, so Eve: Yeah, they yeah. I always have a great experience when I go to any hill street. So I do and you do notice it. you really do as a customer. Olivia: I'm really glad Eve: what opportunities would you like to help create for other young people that may be inspired by your story or in the state of Tasmania in general? Olivia: I'd love to see some more programmes or opportunities because you see, Sydney has multiple opportunities and operations run that enable more design programmes and more experiences and showcases for what could possibly be people's futures I know so many people that would love to even just as more of a life skill learn to do these technical practices and there's so many people here that would love for that opportunity to become a reality. anything from programs to additional showcase or teaching sessions could be deeply beneficial. Eve: what has fashion taught you about yourself, Olivia? Olivia: the biggest thing it's taught me is probably that I'm not one to give up when it gets tough. some of these dresses, they've taken me years and I have had actual blood, sweat and tears put into them and there's moments where I am like, the world hates me, I'm falling to pieces and everything's just not going right and Then I have to get back up. I have to keep going. I've got a deadline and I know that I'm gonna get there in the end and it's gonna be so worth it. I'm really grateful for that. it's really nice knowing that I will stay up till whatever hour making sure that I get these dresses done I'm really, really grateful for that, especially knowing I could be doing a uni degree while doing a job and possibly managing a internship on top knowing that I actually can knuckle down and be able to stay up to whatever hours and I can I can do it. So I guess that's really reassuring, I guess, that I know that I will be able to get everything done Eve: Yeah, 'cause you've had that deadline, I guess, to work towards. and many competing priorities. Olivia: Yes, deadline They still freaked me out Eve: what advice would you give another young person with a creative idea or dream? Olivia: Don't give up. That's the one thing. If you don't give up, good things will come. Good things come for people who work hard for them. if I gave up, I'd probably be sitting at home doing nothing right now. you can't give up. You have to believe in your dreams and always accept the help as well. That's really handy. I'm sometimes a little bit like, I can do this all on my own. I don't need help. sometimes you have to admit to yourself you actually do sometimes need a little bit of help. And that's nothing to be ashamed for. Eve: True. what do you wish adults better understood about young people and their ideas? Olivia: I think adults do a pretty good job of understanding young people's ideas. I think I would reverse the question and say that sometimes children or teens need to understand how hard some of their parents have worked to send them to school and to put a smile on and when they sometimes shut them out or they're getting frustrated at them. Sometimes they need to take a second to remember that their parents are there. They love and they care for them and they provide so much. It's made me aware having that job it makes me realise how much everything actually costs. Eve: Mm-hmm. Olivia: Going to stores I'm like, my goodness, forty bucks for a pair of trackpads. I'm like, my gosh, I'm not paying that. Whereas I used to like go into a store my mum would be like, yeah, no, no problem. I'd like, Thank you, and she'd give me a hug and everything. And actually now knowing how hard earned money is, I feel like so many people take that for granted, knowing that that's actually an hour's hard work and they've just done it without even thinking 'cause they love you. So Eve: Mm-hmm. Olivia: I think parents are definitely people who could try and understand their kids a little bit better. But also sometimes we need to remember that our parents have given so much to us. So it's really important to me that people know how much hard work and how much love that their parents put into them. So if they're not understanding something, it is really important to just give them a bit of grace and remember that they have tried and done so much for you to even my parents to get me to where I am now. It makes me emotional thinking about it because they've worked so hard to help me get Eve: No Olivia: to where I am now. Eve: Yeah, what a beautiful daughter, honestly. That's Olivia: Thank you. No, honestly, I've just I've watched my parents work so hard for so many years. So it's really important. Eve: I love that you switched the question around too. what are you Olivia: Thank you. Eve: what are you learning or unlearning at this point in your life, Olivia? Olivia: learning about other people and trying to grow in myself and learning about discipline. That's a big thing at the moment. I am one to definitely get into the chocolate, so trying to learn a bit of discipline. but unlearn I'm trying to untrain my brain. I Very much love listening sometimes to the positive psychology kind of stuff. I love the art of being brilliant and the resilience project. I think they're such inspiring books that try and unlearn how to think negatively. So focusing on positivity and if you really like try and focus, it can make you so much happier. even just walking around. I went for a walk earlier and Just looking at where I live, I just feel like over the past year or so I've been able to just see how lucky I am to be living in such a beautiful part of Australia. And I feel like learning to train your brain to focus on the positive instead of the negative is a really, really good thing to do. So I guess that's my unlearn at the moment. Eve: Yeah, that's so important. Don't ever forget that either. does take focus and willpower to focus on the positive, but it can only be a good thing. Olivia: Yes. It can be really difficult at time to Eve: Olivia, what does living intentionally mean to you? Olivia: Living intentionally means doing everything with purpose and going into things owning every second of every single thing that you're doing. being able to go into everything with a positive attitude and being able to be who you are and not have to apologize or feel embarrassed about it. I've had a few friends that have worn incredible stuff and I've just thought, wow, they're living so intentionally and they're just like, this is me, I'm who I want to be and I am just living my best life. getting what you want to get done and doing all the things because life isn't a dress rehearsal. You only have one shot and I think it's really important to remember and just sometimes be able to have a bit of fun and just remember that you're gonna look back and you're gonna wish that you've done some things and There's gonna be some things that ultimately you would wish that you had taken the opportunity, but making sure that you're doing everything you can to remember the good times and going forward making the good times. Eve: Yeah, that's that's such a great answer. what does taking your power back mean to you? Olivia: Taking my power back. I guess it would mean to me not only taking my power back but then using that power to be heard and getting out there and just voicing opinions and inspiring others, hopefully, to know that they can do whatever they can put their minds to. So being able to empower others. Eve: when you step back and look at everything you've achieved already, which I'm just astounded by, what are you most proud of? Olivia: Thank you. I reckon I am most proud of it's been really difficult in my life. I've had a lot of ups and downs and loss and lots of speed bumps along the way, but knowing that I was able to just push through and now being able to get to where I am now is probably what I'm most proud of. being able to inspire others and having the opportunities like this and the TFF and the ABC and everything. It's incredible. And I never thought that this kind of thing would be happening to me. Eve: Why not? Olivia: Well it's the kind of stuff that you see and you're like, wow, that's incredible, but you never actually think that you're good enough to make it to this point or that anyone's gonna care enough to actually give these kind of opportunities. Like you're just another number, but like you never actually think that you're gonna be that one person who stands out. Eve: why do you think that is? Olivia: I don't know. I guess it feels a little bit surreal, I guess, sometimes. you're actually doing this. Like you actually got to this point in your life where you've got all these incredible things happening to you that you always dreamed of, but you always were a little bit like expectation management a little bit. Like you never like really thought that this kind of thing would happen, or at least not at this point of my life anyway. Eve: Olivia, you're incredible and you should always expect that everything's gonna work out Olivia: Thank you. Eve: for you because you have the right attitude. I hope we can share this conversation with so many people and inspire them, especially young people. well people at Olivia: Thank you. Eve: all different ages. everyone can benefit from listening to how your attitude has shaped your life. such a young Olivia: Thank you. Eve: life so far. So be so proud and dream so big because the world needs you. Olivia: Thank you so much. Eve: so thank you for sharing your story with us and your creativity is so inspiring, but so is your courage, commitment, and willingness Olivia: Thank you. Eve: to keep learning. I'm so excited to see your design on the Tasmanian Fashion Festival runway this October and see where your journey takes you next. Olivia: Thank you so much. And thank you. This has been incredible. It was so lovely to meet you. Eve: Olivia, what do you think is the best thing that your parents have done for you? Olivia: I would definitely say growing up, I never had technology. I never had iPads or computers up until high school. and that has honestly been the best thing they could have ever done for me. because my parents they're not even necessarily that strict on it. I obviously have like a phone and a MacBook for school now, but they even offered a little bit of screen time like here or there and my sister we actually both immediately turned them down. It's not even something that we were interested in anymore. I'm so grateful because if I had had that kind of stuff from the start it would have so just been so consuming because it's heartbreaking. I've had so many friends and people that have just been completely consumed by technology and just addicted and all the horrible stuff that goes online and I just honestly feel it's the best thing they could have done for me is never like shoving iPads and computers in my face and taking the time to actually like play board games and I guess where that's led is me being so much closer to my mum and my dad and my sister. we all still go up and play basketball at the courts whenever we've got time and we just such a close family unit and I think that's all because we never had technology and If anyone, if any parents were listening to this, I honestly think that the best thing is not giving your kids technology. It's like the best thing you could be doing. Eve: Yeah, I agree absolutely. And yeah, I'm very proud of that decision that I made years ago. my husband and I not to give our kids technology either. Actively move away from Olivia: Yes, they're gonna Eve: it. Olivia: Yes, they're gonna thank you when they're twenty one. They're gonna Eve: it has affected the closeness of our family as well. So I can attest to that I know exactly what you mean when you describe yourselves as a close family unit, because we have that as well. Olivia: Yes, yeah. And I think I honestly think that is like the key to having a closer family. it's brings everyone so much more together if we're just not staring at a screen all day because it can get really addictive. Eve: Yeah, and distracting. Olivia: Yes. recently I saw study and it was incredible, blew my mind, we spend an average of up to like ten years in total of our life, continuously staring at screen. The studies were shown the amount of screen time added up when a human gets to age ninety or eighty five, ten of those years is continuously just their screen time. Eve: Whoa, that is so alarming. Olivia: And I just you think about that, it's ten years that you will never get back. That's hours of just sitting doing nothing. And sometimes I will be maybe texting a friend, 'cause I do have a bit of technology now, but I will get off texting my friend and then I will just sit there and be like, That's what, twenty minutes just gone there. That I'm like, my goodness, I could have just used that to study or work on my dress. And I guess really just trying to cut down and manage that has been such a good habit to get into is like turning my phone off. you could ask any of my friends at school. I never bring my phone to school and I recently just had to get a new one because I keep leaving it in my pocket and I put it through the washing machine three times. But That was a bit of a expensive mistake, but Eve: Yeah. Olivia: at least I'm not addicted, so I guess my parents saw that as a win. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. It was yeah, well done and We won't do that again. Olivia: Yeah, no, lesson learned, definitely. Eve: Before we finish I'd love to leave you with one question. When did you last feel like most like yourself? Not the version shaped by expectations, deadlines, or everyone else's opinions, but the real you. Maybe that's something worth sitting with this week. If today's conversation has resonated with you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing the episode with someone who may need to hear it. Every share helps us reach more people and grow a community that's choosing to live with greater intention. Until next time, remember, take your power back, one conscious choice at a time. I'll see you in the next episode.