Hoppers Crossing woman Chi Cao says her own metamorphosis has inspired her latest fashion designs.
Mrs Cao has just completed an advanced diploma of applied fashion design and merchandising at the Kangan Institute.
She is one of 45 tertiary students from across the state whose designs have been selected for the Melbourne Fashion Week Town Hall Runway Four – Student Collections parade on September 5.
Mrs Cao said she never thought she would become a fashion designer, although when she was growing up in Vietnam, her aunts sewed and her mother would often crochet and knit.
Mrs Cao said she studied veterinary hsubandy in Vietnam, but after coming to Australia would have needed to study further to work here. Instead, she attended Kangan Institute with hopes of opening an alterations shop.
Mrs Cao, who now wants to become a fashion designer or pattern maker, has named the three dresses and cape she created for Melbourne Fashion Week as the Metamorphosis Collection.
“I am changing myself … which led me to explore the metamorphosis process, like a caterpillar to a butterfly, sand to a pearl, a flower after it blooms, all these things inspired me,” she said.
