Postgraduate design dreams with Vogue Australia scholarship

A designer and entrepreneur currently exploring the intersection of creativity and strategy through postgraduate study at Billy Blue.

Georgia Shelby: Trimester 2 2025 Vogue Scholarship recipient

Meet Georgia Shelby, a designer and business founder, and the Vogue Australia Design Scholarship recipient from Trimester 2, 2025 intake.

Georgia came across the Billy Blue x Vogue Australia Design scholarship while researching postgraduate design programs. The partnership immediately stood out.

“It felt aligned with the kind of designer I want to become: one who blends culture, concept and craft,” she says.

With creativity and entrepreneurship as part of her background, Georgia brings a thoughtful, big-picture perspective to the way she approaches design. The Vogue Australia Design scholarship is a way to recognise her potential and support her next chapter.

Georgia's Vogue Scholarship submission cover

Choosing to study the Master of Design at Billy Blue

For Georgia design isn’t just about what looks good, it’s about what makes sense, what tells a story, and what shapes the way we see the world.

“Design gives shape to the invisible: thoughts, systems, feelings. I’ve always been drawn to the in-between spaces where logic meets intuition and where aesthetics carry meaning,” she explains. “I pursued design because I wanted to work at that intersection.”

Now enrolled in the Master of Design, Georgia chose the course for its industry-relevant curriculum and the flexibility of online study.

As a business founder, she’s experienced how powerful design can be. "Good design can transform not only products, but also people’s experiences, beliefs and behaviour," she says.

Through postgraduate study, she’s now diving deeper into design’s potential to drive change.

The creative submission

For her scholarship application, Georgia recreated the iconic 1950 Vogue cover by Erwin Blumenfeld, a piece she describes as “striking, playful and minimal, yet full of tension and restraint.”

Reimagining the image through the lens of speculative design, Georgia explored themes of identity, perception, and what it means to be seen in today’s cultural context.

“The scholarship prompt sparked a vivid memory from Year 10 art class,” she recalls, “where I took inspiration from that same Vogue cover for the front of my art journal. Reinterpreting it now, years later, felt like a beautiful way to honour where I began, acknowledge how far I’ve come, and symbolise the kind of long-term dedication I want to bring to my craft.”

Georgia's Year 10 art class work

Beyond the creative concept, the piece also held personal significance. “It became a tribute to my late grandfather Michael, who I deeply admired as an artist. I created this piece with him in mind, as a quiet way of paying my respects and carrying his creative spirit forward.”

The Vogue Australia scholarship experience

Reflecting on the application process, Georgia describes it as “surprisingly intuitive.” Rather than feeling overly formal or rigid, the experience allowed space for genuine self-expression.

“It was less about formality and more about showing who you are. That gave me the freedom to approach it creatively and authentically,” she says.

When the announcement came that she had been selected, the moment hit hard.

“[I was] completely stunned, then deeply grateful,” Georgia says. “I’ve always tried to carve my own path, which often means working quietly in the background. Winning the scholarship felt like someone turned the spotlight on and said, we see the direction you’re heading, and we believe in it.”

As a Vogue Design scholarship recipient, Georgia received a 50% reduction in her tuition fees. Perhaps more importantly, she also gained access to exclusive Vogue events and networking opportunities, like attending the iconic Vogue Codes Summit.

Tips for 2025 Vogue scholarship applicants

Georgia encourages future applicants to lean into what makes their perspective unique.

“Don’t worry about ticking boxes,” she says. “Tell the truth, show your weird side, and bring something unexpected to the table. That’s what design needs more of, and it’s exactly what Billy Blue encourages.

“And if you can dig deep and find a way to weave in heartfelt storytelling, then you’ve already gained something valuable, because connection is the real currency of creative work.”

Looking ahead, Georgia is excited about the freedom to experiment without needing everything to be perfect. She’s eager to be surrounded by curious minds, challenge her own thinking, and create work that pushes boundaries and contributes to the future of design in Australia.

The Vogue Australia Design scholarship is now open for our September intake. This is the last call for the year. The next step? It’s yours to take.