Inside Kiara Masella’s Vogue scholarship journey

Kiara Masella named Trimester 3 2025 Vogue Scholarship recipient

Kiara Masella is the newest Vogue Australia Design Scholarship recipient, beginning her Bachelor of Communication Design in Trimester 3, 2025.

Kiara’s world has always revolved around creativity. She grew up immersed in art, passionate about dance, and was signed to a modelling agency at 14. Whether in front of the lens or behind it, she was drawn to the creative industries.

At high school, she excelled in Multimedia, creating a coffee table book for her major project that earned a Shape nomination from the NSW Government, a recognition issued by experienced HSC teachers to highlight exemplary student work. For Kiara, design is a way to unite these experiences, a discipline where her favourite creative worlds collide.

Choosing to study Communication Design at Billy Blue

Kiara is energised by collaboration. She believes the creative industries thrive on shared ideas and connections, and wanted to study somewhere that mirrored this. The decision to enrol at Billy Blue College of Design was shaped by both reputation and recommendation.

“A few of my friends studied at Billy Blue and recommended it to me after completing their bachelor’s degrees, so that definitely influenced my decision,” she says. “I’ve also seen how well they’ve done since graduating, which made me excited about the opportunities here.”

Flexibility was an appealing feature too. The ability to study online gives her the space to manage a packed schedule.

But it was the career focus that really sold her.

“What really stood out to me is how many doors Billy Blue opens, both at uni and through industry connections, it feels like the perfect place to grow as a designer.”

Vogue Australia scholarship creative inspiration

For her scholarship submission, Kiara reimagined a timeless Vogue cover. She used a portrait of a friend whose natural, unaltered beauty made her reflect on the rise of AI-generated models, and the influence of AI across creative industries.

“To me, design is about human interaction and how individual perspectives combine to create something unique,” Kiara says.

Her final work pushed back against digital imitation, spotlighting the raw beauty of humanity.

“This cover is a statement that true beauty will always lie in humanity itself,” Kiara wrote in her application.

Kiara's Vogue Scholarship submission cover

The Vogue Australia scholarship experience

Kiara first heard about the Vogue Scholarship while she was applying, during a call with Bina Shah, one of our Future Student Advisors.

“The application process was fun and very open-ended. I had so many ideas and interpretations of the brief, and I loved that it was inclusive of all perspectives. Although it offered direction, it still allowed me to weave in my own passions so my final cover represented something I deeply care about.”

Initially, she felt overwhelmed by the many possible directions, but clarity came when she focused on what mattered most. And that clarity was what won her our scholarship.

“Honestly, I was in complete disbelief. Winning a scholarship like this is something I could have only ever dreamed of, and I’m still pinching myself.”

Tips for the next Vogue scholarship applicants

“My advice is to always choose something you truly care about,” she says.

“When you’re passionate, you’re motivated. Having a driving force behind your work gives it depth and meaning, which makes the final outcome so much stronger. Studying at Billy Blue has already opened up opportunities I never imagined possible, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You never know what doors might open.”

Kiara is ready to immerse herself in a community of designers, fuelled by collaboration, shared ideas and curiosity.

“This journey feels like the start of something really inspiring,” Kiara says.

Applications for the Trimester 1, 2026 Vogue Scholarship are now open.