Rada Priya

Some collaborations arrive without fuss, they just work. Shooting with fellow TAFE student Nicole McKenzie became one of those unexpected highlights of my year. We’re both still refining our craft - she behind the camera, me behind the seams - and figuring out how to translate who we are into what we create. What stood out immediately was how Nicole saw my work. She didn’t just photograph the garments; she noticed the structure, the stitching, the choices that usually only the maker pays attention to. Her images showed my designs, and me, with a clarity that felt grounding and true. We were lucky to have Dannika with us, too -teacher, friend, and quiet powerhouse. She guided Nicole through the technical angles and helped me with poses and styling, keeping the shoot sharp, intentional, and industry-ready. The three of us worked in an easy rhythm that made the process feel collaborative rather than staged. These are the moments that remind me why studying in a creative community matters:...

When I walked into the Tweed Weekly office to meet Jonathan, the editor, I was mostly just hoping I’d find the right door. I’d been asked by my friend (and journalist) Madeline Murray to fill in for her while she recovers from surgery - my first little step into local journalism. Jonathan looked up, smiled, and said:  “I recognise you, you’ll be in the paper tomorrow.” The week before, Madeline and I had worked on a story about a local collaboration - I had no idea it would end up splashed across the front page. Full circle moments have a funny way of sneaking up on you. I first met Dean three years ago at TAFE - I was studying photography, and he was in graphic design. We used to talk about how incredible it would be if students from different creative disciplines actually worked together , like we would in the real world. Fast forward to now: I’m wrapping up my Diploma of Fashion Design, and Dean has just completed the same Certificate IV Photography course I once did. Afte...

A growing archive of event posters I’ve designed for Buttery Chard’s Drag Queen Bingo - where camp meets Canva and every theme is a new visual playground. I draw inspiration directly from the queen herself and the show’s ever-changing themes: from flapper glam and Queen Bey’s  Cowboy Carter  to Christmas chaos and retro ‘80s realness. Each poster is created using Canva, guided by a strong intuitive eye for graphic detail - a skill I didn’t learn, but one I’ve always had. (That said, I’ve since paired my natural instincts with formal training in design elements and principles.) Where I like to think high Camp meets Helvetica  The Queens At the heart of Drag Queen Bingo is Buttery Chard , the dazzling alter ego of my dear friend Ryan. One of the things I’ve always admired about Ryan - long before the wigs and lashes - is his deep commitment to inclusivity. He has this effortless way of going with the flow, letting his community lift him up, which in turn lifts everyone arou...

 There is a quiet ritual in returning to an artwork a year after year-be a painting, a fashion monograph, or shadowy photograph once captured in a fleeting second. What once stunned me with surface beauty begins to find deeper things with time. These work don't fade. They gather. They become layered - like fabric worn in the elbows, softer, richer, more personal. The artists I return to, Alexander McQueen, Collette Dinnigan, Yves Saint Laurent, etc, never really leave. The work isn't just historical or trendy, it resists the very idea of expiration. These aren't seasonal moments, they are iterative legacies. The garments, sketches, philosophies, continue to reveal themselves in fragments - as I change, as the world does. This is the infinite life of art: it doesn't age, it ages with you. And in that shared timeline, you co-author its meaning. You respond differently at 22 then at 39. The heartbreak you hadn't yet lived, the maternal instinct that hadn't yet woke...

  Rada Priya 25/26' Concept board Fashion has always been a part of my creative soul, but after stepping away for years, returning through my studies has reignited a passion I thought I'd left behind. Now, deep in the concept phase of my 2025/2026 diploma graduation collection, I'm drawing inspiration from the opulence of Paris Couture Fashion Week SS25, particularly the breathtaking craftsmanship of Armani Privé. This collection is about honoring my roots in intricate beadwork while embracing sustainable practices and modern elegance. My design process starts with textiles, and my palette has evolved into a rich tapestry of verdant hues—lush greens, earth tones, metallic blues, and soft greys. Sustainability remains at the forefront, with natural fibres, ethically sourced Thai silk from my travels last year, and upcycled fabrics from local op shops. Faux fur, a treasure from my decade-old fabric collection, adds a layer of texture and nostalgia. Embellishments will include...

Coolangatta’s Pink Hotel played host to the ultimate summer celebration, as Nine Lives Bazaar and Azteca Margarita joined forces for an unforgettable rooftop party. With the golden hues of sunset painting the sky over Rainbow Beach, guests toasted to the launch of Azteca’s newest passionfruit margarita—an instant classic that will soon be a staple on every summer drinks menu. The event was a vibrant fusion of fashion and flavour, and as a special treat, Nine Lives Bazaar gifted me the stunning  Harper Mini Dress  in Kasbah—a kaleidoscope of colour and effortless bohemian charm. I styled it off the shoulder with statement accessories: layered gold belts cinched at the waist, my go-to riding boots, and a pop of orange via a bold handbag. As always, layers of my favourite gold jewels completed the look, adding a touch of retro-glam to match the electric energy of the night. With a view that stretched endlessly over the coastline, the rooftop was the perfect location for a celebra...