Harmony Lam

After exhibiting in Top Designs, I went on to complete my Honours degree in Fashion Design at RMIT University and graduated in 2008 with First Class Honours.

I am now the owner and Creative Director of Héxié, my independent clothing label that I launched in 2018, after 15 years working in the industry for well-respected fashion brands such as Sportsgirl, Cotton On and Witchery.

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was chosen to be a part of the first national fashion runway and also Design Now!, which showcases art and design graduates. Throughout my degree, I worked casually at Sportsgirl. After graduating I was promoted to Quality Assurance Assistant at Sportgirl’s head office and for the next three years, I learnt about the in-depth process of fitting garments, pattern-making, production, fabrics and grading patterns. I was promoted to Assistant Buyer and for the following two years I learnt about the process of buying, production, costings and how to put ranges together. This led to a position as Senior Production Developer at Cotton On. My next role was Senior Production Developer at Cotton On, after which I was recruited to join the Witchery team as a Merchandiser. In 2017 I decided to leave Witchery to start my own label and in 2018 I launched Héxié!

Do you feel that Top Designs had an impact on your personal/professional development, and what’s next for Héxié?

I was the only Textiles student in my Product Design and Technology course in high school, so therefore didn’t have a great frame of reference when it came to comparing my work to others. Top Designs was the first time I had viewed my design portfolio in comparison to my peers, so it was a real eye-opener! Being selected for the exhibition and showing my work with such talented designers gave me a new-found confidence in myself and my designs. This gave me the desire to continue in the creative field by going to university, which greatly shaped where I am today.

Eventually I would like to open a store to sell my designs. This would be exclusively owned, with strictly no wholesale or mass production. My ultimate goal is to run a well-respected, exciting and successful fashion brand, creating and designing with thought and care.

What advice do you have for people wanting to work in your field?

Never underestimate the power of starting at the bottom, and be patient. In doing so, learn every element of the business, from the ground up. This will be invaluable if you eventually want to run your own business and be your own boss. In fashion, this could be a variety of jobs, from customer service, margins and costings through to pattern-making, production and design. All these elements are critical and valuable learning experiences, so you will most likely be a better, more educated designer and smarter business owner, having gained this first-hand industry experience.