Lucy Laurita x Bayley Arts’ Historic Fashion Show Collaboration
More Than a Fashion Collaboration
Some of the most meaningful opportunities begin with a simple conversation. Mine started during a walk through Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens, where I met Annette, one of the Bayley Arts educators. We chatted as we walked, never imagining that chance meeting would lead to such a rewarding creative collaboration. Months later, Annette contacted me as Bayley Arts began planning its fashion runway and asked whether I’d like to meet Tess the senior program manager to discuss a possible collaboration.
I said yes immediately.
My purpose in creating a brand connecting fashion, art and wellness is to shift the conceptions of what a fashion brand is. Nurturing meaningful partnerships to invest more of my time sharing the skills I’ve developed throughout my career in fashion and community work. While designing Australian-made evening wear will always be at the heart of what I do, I have found myself increasingly passionate about mentoring others, encouraging creativity and helping people discover confidence through fashion. This collaboration felt like a natural extension of that journey.
It was a huge honour to be the first professional fashion designer invited to collaborate with Bayley Arts on their runway and to be part of the event’s first live fashion auction. More importantly, it was an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable talent of the Bayley Arts artists and demonstrate how inclusive creative partnerships can produce something truly special.
Designing Wearable Art
The collection centred around the original artwork of Bayley Arts artists Thomas Weisner and Katie Van Der Hoven. Their artworks were professionally digitised and printed onto fabric by Hello Friends Fabrics, transforming beautiful works of art into wearable textiles. One of my favourite parts of the project was spending time with the fashion and textiles designers, getting to know them and discussing how their garments were progressing and coming to life. We selected fabrics together before I returned to my studio to begin designing. Rather than designing garments first, I allowed each artwork to guide the creative process. I carefully considered the placement of colour, the movement of each print across the body and the silhouettes that would best showcase the artwork while remaining timeless, elegant and wearable.
Thomas’s artwork became the feature throughout the capsule collection, while Katie’s vibrant design made a surprise appearance on the runway in a cosy reversible jacket, trimmed with faux fur.
My role was to interpret their creative vision and honour it through thoughtful garment design,
ensuring their artwork remained the hero of every piece.
From Artwork to Runway
The journey from canvas to runway was a wonderful example of collaboration. It began with original artworks created in the Bayley Arts studio before being expertly digitised and printed onto a stretch cotton fabric by Hello Friends Fabrics. Back in my studio, I explored the drape, movement and scale of each textile, creating silhouettes that complemented the artwork.
The final capsule collection featured three exclusive pieces: a reversible jacket, an elegant versatile top, worn on or off the shoulders and a contemporary wrap-around skirt. Each garment was designed exclusively for this collaboration, creating a collection that celebrated fashion, art and inclusion in equal measure.
Why This Collaboration Meant So Much
Bayley Arts provides creative opportunities for artists with intellectual disabilities and additional needs, encouraging artistic expression while building confidence, practical skills and meaningful pathways into the creative industries.
Being involved reminded me why I first fell in love with fashion.
Fashion has the power to tell stories, create confidence and bring people together. I believe it should be inclusive, collaborative and accessible, and this project reinforced that belief in every way.
For me, the greatest reward wasn’t simply creating a collection. It was sharing knowledge, learning alongside the artists and witnessing the pride they felt seeing their own work transformed and celebrated on the runway.
As my own career evolves, I hope to continue creating more opportunities like this, where fashion becomes more than beautiful clothing. I look forward to investing more of my time mentoring, sharing skills, nurturing creativity and using design to empower others. The runway and live auction also raised valuable funds for the Bayley Arts textile program, ensuring the artists will have the tools and opportunities to develop their talents and share them with the wider community.
Looking back, what began as a chance meeting in the gardens became one of the most meaningful collaborations of my career. It reaffirmed something I have always believed: creativity has no boundaries, every artist deserves to be seen and celebrated, and fashion can be a powerful vehicle for connection, inclusion and positive change.
Hello there community groups, educators, boutiques and charity organisations, email lucy@lucylaurita.com.au to discuss hosting a skills sharing partnership.
For more information about the programs offered at Bayley Arts visit bayleyarts.com.au
Credits
Photography Courtesy of Bayley House