INTERVIEW with Ravishing Fashionistas Designer 2023 - Liliana Jewellery Design
Photo of Latu Rosenberry by Joe Nucifora
SD: Hi Liliana, for my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?
LI: My name is Liliana Iuri, I was born in Argentina and arrived in Australia in 1977. I have Italian heritage – a Sicilian mother and paternal ancestors from Udine -Northern part of Italy. My parents’ marriage ratified the reunification of Italy!
I have always been passionate about the arts: performing arts, visual arts, architecture and design, fashion, textiles, films, and the list goes on and on. One of my secret fantasies, I have many, is to overnight in an art gallery while having intimate conversations with the masters. Wow! That would certainly be something to blog about!
However; life took me along a different path. Upon my arrival in Australia, I completed university studies in Social Studies and Latin American literature at La Trobe University in Melbourne, and went to work in education.
Nevertheless, the golden dream of a 5-year-old child, surrounded by her imaginary friends, being the owner of an exclusive boutique, playing and dreaming of vintage French lace, exotic yarns, silk ribbons, and magical designs was never forgotten.
While I transition through my second youth, it gives me a sense of childlike delight to have rescued that 5-year-old child, given her a voice, and, most importantly, set her free. At my age, it’s very refreshing to be in contact with the world of a 5-year-old child. So, this is the essence of Liliana Jewellery Design, her textile jewellery collection, and the story behind her journey of creative pursuits!
SD: What was the biggest inspiration behind your latest collection?
LI: My inspiration comes from the most predictable, but also unpredictable sources and experiences. My world is 3D. I adore colours, textures, shapes and forms which I unearth in:
My dreams
The fragrances of the Australian bush
The striking landscape and colours of Sicily, its vibrant people and ancient culture
Books and videos about the history and meaning of jewellery
Last, but not least my darling cats! Stampy, Mimo, Perlo and Serena have been my joy and inspiration. Regrettably, they have all gone to cat heaven, but they are present in my heart.
Compassion and giving underpins the spirit of what I do and how I do it -a portion of sale goes to animal welfare. All those magnificent Goddesses who purchase my textile jewellery can rest assured that part of their hard-earned money goes to a worthwhile cause.
SD: What helps you get in the zone when you’re designing?
LI: This is a very interesting question, because when I walk into my work room, I am in complete silence, start ‘playing’ with fabrics and ribbons, and become present. I am fully involved in the process. My hands and my brain seem to work in unison, and I forget about time. It’s the actual process of making, creating, doing, being focused which gets me ‘in the zone’. Working on my craft feels intimate, cozy and soothing. I feel at home, I have arrived home! It is only when I have completed a task that I remember I am cold, hungry or both!
Photo of Latu Rosenberry supplied by Liliana Jewellery Design
SD: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career as a designer?
LI: My mother was a very creative Sicilian woman, a fabulous knitter, dressmaker, with a great sense of fashion and style. A lover of music and films. I have had an eye for design since my very early days. As a 5-year-old, I would hide in my mother’s laundry where she had her Singer sewing machine set up. I could hardly reach the foot pedal! I designed and made clothes for my dolls. I also broke many sewing needles much to my mother’s dismay. However, I kept at it. I had my own boutique and an imaginary assistant. His name was ‘Juancito’, Spanish for little John. ‘Juancito’ was my most loyal assistant. He was responsible for tidying up shelves, moving boxes, and replenishing stock while I was firmly positioned behind the cash register! I was no more than a 5-year-old, but already fully aware of one the most important principles of Feminism: economic independence!
SD: What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?
LI: Design and having my own business have always been a very intimate dream, castles in the air, confidential play time of a little girl with a very rich imagination. Very hesitant, unsure, and uncertain whether her intimate and secret world could ever become a reality. It took me almost a life time to pluck the courage to retire from full-time work to make room for my passion and devote quality time to make it a reality. So, my biggest barrier was actively listening to the little girl’s inner voice, and believing that what she wanted to do was consistent with her soul purpose. That is, immerse myself in the world of colours, shapes, and forms, to ultimately find meaning and fulfillment in life. Interestingly enough, since finding the courage to follow the intimate whispers of my inner voice, raising from my subconscious, everything seems to be falling into place. It seems like the Universe has conjured up and situations are gradually within my reach. Interesting, is it not?
SD: How do you want women to feel when wearing your jewellery?
LI: When women wear my jewellery I want them to feel:
UNIQUE
DESIRABLE
CHERISHED
OVERFLOWING WITH CONFIDENCE TO BRING FORTH THE ‘GODDESS TRANSFORMATION’
PASSIONATE
FEELING ENOUGH, ENOUGH SELF-ESTEEM, ENOUGH WORTH, ENOUGH SELF- RESPECT
WOMEN CAN PLAY BIG ON THE STAGE OF LIFE AND DARE TO UNLEASH THEIR INNER GODDESSES!!
SD: There is so much pressure for designers to come out with their greatest collection season after season. What advice would you give to young designers just starting out and hoping to make it in the industry?
LI: Having had such a winding and bumpy road with so many turns, stops, diversions, and twists, I am hardly the right person to give advice, and even if I were, we all need to learn through and by our own experiences. Someone else’s practices are meaningless. However; I believe that we all have a very special ‘gift’ that no one else has to offer. I feel it’s important to be authentic to one’s inner truth, to follow one’s intuition, and take consistent, diligent little steps. We achieve by taking action, even minuscule as they might be, because in the process, we learn what works, what doesn't, and, most importantly, our lives become richer by our OWN experiences. In my teaching days, I used to tell my students to remember about their hobbies, interests, activities they enjoy most when they were little or in their teens, and pursuit their dreams with passion and determination. I’ve finally realised, WE TEACH, what we need to LEARN!!! With love and gratitude. Expect miracles!
Tickets are selling fast. If you want to see Liliana Jewellery Design on the runway, get your Ravishing Fashionistas 2023 tickets here
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Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lilianajewellerydesign/