Vogue Australia scholarship kickstarts rebellious design careers

Olivia Thyrd: 2025 Vogue Scholarship winner

Olivia Thyrd is the proud recipient of the Vogue Australia Design scholarship for Trimester 1, 2025. A passionate Design student from Cairns, Olivia sets herself apart with her strong stance against fast fashion, earning the scholarship for her studies in Branded Fashion Design.

Choosing to study Branded Fashion Design at Billy Blue

Olivia’s decision to study Branded Fashion Design at Billy Blue College of Design was motivated by her desire to create an emotional response with her creations.

“I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in design because it has always been my goal to evoke emotion through the things I make,” she explains of her inspiration to study a creative degree.

“The right dress can completely transform how a woman perceives herself, and to me, that is the most magical thing.”

She discovered the Vogue Australia Design scholarship while checking out the Fashion Design degrees.

“I found out about the Vogue Australia scholarship while researching the degree and the university. I found the process to be very simple and easy, just a few questions and a design. I actually had a lot of fun while creating my submission because it allowed me to experiment with different ideas and concepts,” Olivia shares.

Vogue Australia scholarship creative inspiration

For her Vogue Australia scholarship application, Olivia submitted a photo of herself wearing a dress she had created for her Year 12 formal. The photograph was taken on a railway near her home town of Cairns, incorporating the beautiful tropical environment that has shaped her perspective.

Olivia explains the dress as being a statement against fast fashion.

“The focus was on the art of quality dressmaking and making a stand against fast fashion,” she says.

She acknowledges that, like many, she has bought into fast fashion due to its affordability, but she believes that quality clothing is much more than just apparel.

“Quality clothing isn’t just clothing; it is art. It is an art that must not be lost in a machine age,” Olivia adds.

Olivia's Vogue Scholarship submission cover

The Vogue Australia scholarship experience

When Olivia found out she was the winner of the Vogue Australia scholarship, she was completely overwhelmed with excitement.

“I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out I won! I really couldn’t believe it because I think there are so many talented people at Billy Blue,” she says.

“I was also very relieved that my hard work paid off,” she adds, reflecting on the recognition of her dedication.

For Olivia, the scholarship has already had a significant impact on her journey at Billy Blue.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone,” she says, highlighting how the small class sizes and close-knit community have made her feel welcome from the moment she started.

“I’ve found so far that there is an amazing sense of community, and I felt welcomed from the moment I started.”

Tips for 2025 Vogue scholarship applicants

For anyone thinking about applying for the Vogue Australia scholarship, Olivia has some solid advice: “Obviously, you must be in it to win it. However, if you want a real chance to win, you do have to put in some real effort.

“My advice is that you must give it 110% and really show off what you can do. There is no point in holding back because it’s 50% off your tuition and a lot of amazing opportunities that are worth a bit of time and effort!”

Olivia also adds that “Billy Blue is amazing at making these opportunities available and helping anyone who wants to make the most out of their time here.”

If you’re thinking about applying for the Vogue Australia scholarship, take a page from Olivia’s book: put in the effort, embrace your creativity and take on this opportunity. The good news?

The Vogue Australia Design scholarship is open for applications for our upcoming intake, starting on 2 June. Hurry before applications close!