FROM TRIGONOMETRY TO AUSTRALIAN IDOL

WORDS BY NFC STUDENT KOBY DULAC-DALEY

Four months ago, I was aimlessly sitting in a Year 10 Advanced Maths class listening to a substitute teacher rambling on about Trigonometry and today I’m a Styling Assistant on Australian Idol.

Fashion is a very creative and fast-paced industry that always keeps you on your toes, coming from a theatre background I loved the creative aspects but did not see acting as a sustainable future. I took my first steps into National Fashion College and immediately I was in awe of the place, it was a lot to take in as a teenager from the Blue Mountains.

I was fortunate enough to spend a week at NFC, where I got to create my own magazine, which ranged from writing profile pieces on Australia’s biggest fashion houses to learning how to create a look book, as well as interning across their student campaign. I had the opportunity to assist the amazing team at NFC and learn about what went into a shoot day. I introduced myself to the graduates who were part of the campaign and immediately we hit it off, they offered me advice and told me about their experience at the college.

Through the campaign shoot I met Mia, a NFC Graduate and Model. She told me about her experiences at Vogue Australia, The Voice and Australian Idol. Mia had just put into words what my dream career and showing me that if you put the work in, it is possible.

After my week at NFC, going back to school seemed so boring compared to the fashion student life in Sydney.

I was able to meet with Founder & Director, Bryce Alexander Mclntosh to discuss my future in fashion. My whole being felt that National Fashion College was the right step for my future, so I took a leap of faith and enrolled.

Leaving High School and my friends at such a young age was a daunting thought but I knew everything would work out in the end. Now that I have left school, I knew I still wanted to maintain a High School Education and enrolled into TAFE for Tertiary Preparation Equivalent to Year 12.

Currently, I  am studying at NFC while finishing my HSC through TAFE, this allows me to accomplish an HSC evaluation and Study at NFC without missing out on either opportunity. Skip forward 2 months to Orientation Day, and instantly everyone hits it off right away the giggles and compliments of 25 young fashion lovers fill up the campus. 

Two weeks before even starting classes, I started my dream position as a Styling Intern with the Wardrobe Department at the production of Season 9 of Australian Idol. My role as a Styling Assistant involves steaming garments, assisting on contestant fittings, opening PR packages, capturing and posting content onto Instagram.

Through my internship at Australian Idol, I have had the amazing opportunity to assist on set at The Voice and was fortunate enough to assist at Mardi Gras for Mecca Max and W Hotels floats. While interning with Australian Idol, the entire production has been so incredible, and the team have displayed so much kindness towards me from Hair and Makeup Department to the producers and celebrity judges.

Being able to go BTS on filming days has taught me so much about the fast-paced nature of the fashion industry. An absolute highlight of working on Australian Idol has been the incredible opportunity to work alongside icons like Jessica Mauboy, Ricki Lee and The Veronicas.

From dressing the contestants on Australian Idol to getting lunch with friends from college, these first 2 months of college have been full of laughter, love and learning experiences.

Taking the leap of faith and leaving school and studying at TAFE and NFC made me realise finishing High School the traditional way is not the only option. This time last year, I had no idea that there was a spot in the fashion industry for me and would have only dreamed of studying fashion and interning on biggest live television show in Australia.