Dreams of cracking one of the world’s fashion capitals was a far away dream for Kogarah designer Lisa Qu.
But the 21-year-old talent took the style reins by the straps and made it a reality.
Three years ago she moved to New York to study fashion design at Parsons Art and Design School.
Ms Qu has now launched a label that aims to empower women with sophisticated wear in the workplace.
From boardroom to the bar, her designs capture modern elegance, and she has racked up a nice 10,000+ followers on Instagram.
Preferring to work in collections rather than seasons, the designer draws from her Asian heritage to create a fusion of structural details and timeless silhouettes.
Her dimensional shapes and clean lines are a nostalgic homage to the origami creations her mother use to make for her as a child.
The outcome is a capsule collection that celebrates powerful women.
Fabrics are sourced from the US and Japan, and are manufactured in the heart of New York’s Garment District.
“It has honestly been a surreal experience seeing my visions come to life,” Ms Qu said.
“I used to design for the woman that I aspired to be but I’ve come to realise that aspiration is overrated.
“All women are powerful, sensual and unapologetically beautiful in their own right.”
She says her label is a celebration of the feminine form that strives to empower women.
“Women’s professional dress has always been based on men’s suiting, emphasizing the most dominant characteristics of being a man,” she said.
“I think the blazer and blouse ensemble needs a little re-imagining.
“I want to encourage women to express their femininity in the workplace without compromising their perception of professionalism.”