Photographer and sewist Liana Hardy is one of those multi-talented creatives with no shortage of enviable skills. Immersed in fashion from an early age, her mum and aunties were all talented dressmakers and their craft had a huge influence on her career path.
“It wasn’t just a hobby, it was a lifestyle that sparked my own passion for design,” says Liana. Her connection to fashion led her to study fashion design at university, where she could refine her skills and elevate her ideas.
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Like many who go on to study in the fashion industry, Liana was passionate about making sustainable choices with her own wardrobe. In 2024, she made a personal commitment to start making all her clothes, instead of buying them.
“It wasn’t only about curating a more thoughtful collection, but also about aligning my practices with sustainability and reducing my impact on the fashion industry,” she explains.
The past year has seen her dedicate herself to sewing her own garments, which she describes as a transformative experience. “Every few months, I immerse myself in the process and it’s made me rethink the way I consume fashion,” she tells me. “It’s a much slower, intentional process. The time it takes to craft just one garment has deepened my appreciation for quality and craftsmanship, and ultimately, it’s changed the way I approach both fashion and sustainability.”
So many incredible street style outfits caught Liana’s eye during PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, but her own looks had us wanting to flip the camera around. Thinking her creations deserved a closer look, we asked her to share what went in to making and styling them.
Day one
Today’s outfit was solely based around styling this denim peplum top I made. I used old denim fabric my dad had purchased at an auction – it was perfect for the style I wanted, providing shape and structure. Typically, I won’t buy new fabric and simply use what my dressmaker mum and aunty have collected, and what I currently have in my studio.
I knew I wanted to elevate the top with layering, so I opted for my long sleeve striped top underneath. Feeling inspired to dress for comfort and style I knew this was the look perfect for the first day of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival. Today was a big day of photographing street style for numerous clients, so a lot of running around capturing as much diversity on the forecourt. I’m so glad I chose my Adidas gazelles to last me through the busy day of shooting!
Day two
I’ve always been drawn to a beautiful maxi dress, one that can seamlessly transition through the seasons. I designed this striped summer dress with four tiers of fabric, creating a layered skirt that adds not only gorgeous movement, but also a lovely weight and depth.
To complement the dress, I upcycled an old bed sheet into a quilted vest, along with a pair of pants, a detachable collar and a hair scrunchie. For this look, I opted to layer the vest, which perfectly paired with the dress. The fit was just right, allowing the tie-up
straps of the dress to peek through, adding a subtle detail that tied the whole outfit together.
Day three
Today I’m a modern milk maid with a touch of scandi-inspired style. I’m wearing a skirt inspired by Danish designer Cecilie Bahnsen, one of my favourites at the moment. She creates beautiful feminine shapes and fabrics which I simply adore.
This skirt was made using old curtain furnishing fabric styled with my upcycled tie-up blouse which was made from a men’s shirt. My favourite accessory to complete this look is the crochet square which my mum made, that I turned into a headscarf.
The trinkets on my bag are puppies which my mum happened to have kept from my primary school trinkets stash, which I thought I didn’t have anymore, but I guess some old things never get thrown out in my house?
Day four
As an alumna of fashion school, one of the perks I had was access to occasional fabric giveaways, which made it possible to experiment with some beautiful materials. For this project, I finally had the chance to use a stunning jacquard fabric that had been waiting for its moment. The result is a drop-waist dress with a gathered skirt, cinched straps, and matching bows, including a hair bow that I transformed into a bow tie.
I absolutely love pairing it with my vintage cotton anglaise blouse from Zimmerman, which I found secondhand at The Turn. The mix of textures and styles makes it a truly special ensemble!
The highlight of my day was photographing all the menswear looks on the forecourt. It’s something I don’t usually photograph as much compared to womenswear but I’ve really been enjoying the shift in focus this time around.
Day five
I felt so myself in this outfit! It was incredibly comfortable and practical, perfect for a day of shooting at the festival. I’m a huge fan of pairing loose, relaxed pieces with mid-length skirts and dresses.
The layered tie-up blouse, quilted bib top, detachable collar and hair scrunchie were all made from upcycled fabrics – old school uniforms and bed sheets. It was a great way to bring new life to forgotten materials while staying true to my style.
After committing to not buying anything new last year, I’ve really embraced vintage shopping at local charity shops every once in a while, which is always a treat for me to explore one-of-a-kind pieces. This linen midi dress, which I found at Northcote Sacred Heart, has become a staple in my wardrobe, it’s so versatile and easy to style.
Day six
This twin set was crafted from my mum’s vintage Thai silk, which she had been carefully saving for years, waiting for the perfect moment to use it. When I saw the fabric, I was immediately drawn to its rich, heavy-weight texture, which is quite different from the lighter silks we often think of.
I started by making the quilted bib top from the fabric, and soon after, I realised it needed a matching bottom. That’s when the idea for the gathered midi skirt came to life. It’s now one of my favourite pieces to wear on a regular basis, it’s both elegant and comfortable!
The plan today was to make the most of the last day of PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival! I wanted to see how the guests would show up for the last day and capture as many different looks as possible to match in accordance to the vibrant energy of the Block Party runway.
I received so many positive responses from guests about my own creations, so being surrounded by creatives who appreciate handmade crafts and design has really been a blessing.
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This article A week of self-made outfits with Melbourne-based photographer Liana Hardy appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-03-14 08:24:00
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