From Fashion Student to Lingerie Designer: The Milan Story

They say life has a way of nudging you toward your true calling. For me, that nudge came in the form of a sketchbook, a plane ticket to Milan, and a growing fascination with lingerie - the delicate, empowering, and surprisingly complex undercurrent of fashion.

Today, as the founder of Dream & Drive Lingerie, I often get asked: “How did you get here? What made you focus on lingerie, and why ethical, inclusive lingerie?” This is the story of my journey - from a curious fashion student to a lingerie designer in Australia - and the lessons Milan taught me along the way.

The Non-Traditional Path

I wasn’t your typical fashion student. While classmates gravitated toward ready-to-wear collections or big-name luxury brands, I found myself endlessly fascinated by lingerie. There’s something magical about pieces that are both intimate and expressive, hidden and powerful.

After completing my fashion studies in Australia, I knew I wanted to expand my understanding of global design culture. Milan was calling - not just for its reputation as a fashion capital, but for its history, craftsmanship, and ability to challenge conventions.

Moving to Milan wasn’t easy. I didn’t have a clear plan, just a suitcase, determination, and a willingness to learn. I immersed myself in workshops, internships, and late-night sketching sessions, absorbing everything from pattern-making to luxury fabric sourcing.

Lessons from Milan That Still Shape My Designs

Milan was transformative in ways I didn’t anticipate. There, I learned:

1. Craftsmanship Matters

Italian designers take construction seriously. Every seam, every stitch has intention. This emphasis on technical precision informs how I approach each Dream & Drive piece. Handmade lingerie isn’t just aesthetic - it’s structural, supportive, and empowering.

2. Design for Real Bodies

In Milan, I observed a gap between runway ideals and real people. The models were beautiful, yes, but they represented a very narrow range of body types. This sharpened my commitment to inclusive sizing when I returned to Australia - XS–4XL, 8A–22E - because lingerie should fit all bodies, not just one template.

3. Ethical Choices Aren’t Optional

I was inspired by designers experimenting with small-batch production and sustainable fabrics. Milan taught me that making conscious choices - in sourcing, manufacturing, and design - is not a limitation but an enhancement to creativity. This philosophy became central to Dream & Drive.

4. The Power of Storytelling

Fashion is not just clothes - it’s stories. Milan reinforced the importance of connecting design to narrative, emotion, and intention. Every bra, bodysuit, or lingerie set can be an act of self-expression, confidence, and empowerment.

The Moment I Decided on Ethical, Inclusive Lingerie

It was during a late-night sewing session in Milan that I realised: I didn’t want to follow trends; I wanted to create lingerie that mattered.

I thought about the women and non-binary people back home in Australia who often struggled to find well-fitting, inclusive, and ethically made lingerie. I imagined bras that actually supported and celebrated real bodies, pieces that were both beautiful and functional, and a brand that put integrity over mass-market profit.

That moment was the spark that became Dream & Drive Lingerie - a label committed to ethical practices, sustainability, and size inclusivity. Milan gave me the technical skills and inspiration, but my vision was always about making lingerie that feels personal, empowering, and accessible.

How My Background Shapes Dream & Drive’s Values

My experience as a fashion student in Australia, combined with the immersion in Milan, informs every part of Dream & Drive’s ethos:

• Handmade Attention to Detail: Like Italian craftsmanship, our lingerie is carefully made with quality in mind. Every stitch is deliberate.

• Size Inclusivity:  I’ve seen first hand the gap in sizing options worldwide. Our XS–4XL, 8A–22E range is a direct response to this need.

• Ethical Production: Small-batch, locally made, and sourced responsibly - inspired by Milanese designers who understood that ethics fuel creativity.

• Story-Driven Design: Each collection tells a story, from fabrics to cuts to the moods we aim to evoke. Lingerie is intimate; it deserves narrative depth.

Bringing Milan Lessons Home to Adelaide

Returning to Adelaide, I applied everything I had learned abroad. I set up small-batch production, hand-selected fabrics, and began experimenting with designs that would feel luxurious, inclusive, and functional.

The city itself inspired me too. Adelaide is a small hub of creativity, diversity, and innovation - a perfect base for a lingerie brand that prioritizes ethics and inclusivity. By combining Milanese craftsmanship with Adelaide’s vibrant, eclectic energy, Dream & Drive became a space where every body can feel confident and celebrated.

Why This Story Matters

Sharing my journey isn’t about ego - it’s about context. It explains why Dream & Drive exists, why we make the choices we do, and why we care about each person who wears our pieces.

Every bra or lingerie piece you choose from Dream & Drive carries a part of this journey: the lessons learned in Milan, the commitment to quality and ethics, and the celebration of real, diverse bodies. It’s about more than fashion; it’s about empowerment, confidence, and intentionality.

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If you’re curious about our handmade lingerie in Adelaide or want to explore our inclusive collections, check out our range online and explore our sizing fit guide where we include everyone. Every piece is crafted with care, inspired by Milan (and that's just one thing that inspires me), and designed to celebrate you.