For fashion designer Victoria Bliss, the opportunity to recently dress Australian of the Year Grace Tame came from a place of respect and emotion. Her new debut collection gives a nod to her Hobart childhood and her current hometown, Melbourne.

How did the opportunity to dress Grace Tame come about?
I’ve been following Grace’s journey for a while now, from the start of the #LetHerSpeak campaign. I found myself rereading some of her posts over and over again, filled with such strong emotion and praise for such a remarkable woman.

I privately messaged her to say what an incredible voice she had and how grateful I was to hear it. It wasn’t until I was designing my debut collection that I found myself looking to Grace as a creative muse.

She is exactly the kind of woman I see in my clothing, she is strong, capable, inspirational. I told her how powerful her influence had been on me and I offered to dress her if she ever had any events she needed clothing for. She then told me about the Canberra trip and how she had multiple events to go to – 22!

How did you select the outfit she wore?
I did a collection showing for Grace of racked-up samples so she could see and feel the fabrics. I had styled two dresses together which she really loved, it was really humbling. Due to the tight turnaround, I sewed it myself – I’m not the most patient sewer! So there were a few mistakes and a very tight deadline but luckily Grace was travelling to Canberra via Melbourne and I went out to the airport to hand over the pieces in person!

How has Tasmania figured into your new collection?
I designed my new collection from Tasmania when I flew home during the second Melbourne lockdown. If you look closely at the hand-painted print, it features a Tassie Bluegum.

I wandered around my parent’s property scouting natives. Growing up in Tasmania has had an enormous influence on my practice as a designer. I think it’s really evident in the aesthetic of the pieces or the way I portray them (especially considering the collection was shot down the road from the house I grew up in!).

But even when I was studying at university I’d fly back home to shoot in Tasmania. There’s really no place like it and I’m so blessed to be just a plane ride away.

You can find the debut collection here.