GUNNEDAH isn’t the only town able to boast a fashion icon in model Miranda Kerr, with the spotlight recently turned on Moree’s up-and-coming fashion designer Dylan Cooper.
Big dreams are common in rural communities, but for Dylan, making his dreams a reality is an inspirational feat.
Winning Foxtel’s top rating Project Runway Australia series at only 21 has been a launching pad for Dylan, who before entering the competition graduated from the acclaimed Fashion Design Studio in Ultimo.
Dylan’s love of design was realised as a student at Moree Secondary College and in 2008, at 18, he left Moree to study and pursue a career in fashion design.
“I’ve always been really creative, I was very focused and drew all the time - I did art and design in high school and eventually fell in love with designing clothes,” he said.
Dylan said his rural upbringing had instilled a lasting impression on his work ethic and his desire to succeed.
“You have a wonderful childhood in the country and I think it makes you appreciate things a lot more and you really have to work hard for what you want,” he said.
“Kids who grow up in the city have access to so much more and I think it’s easier for them to chase their dreams.”
Dylan grew up in a creative home where his mother Sarah, an art teacher at Moree’s St Philomena’s School, influenced his love of painting and drawing.
Although Dylan took classes, like sewing, to better educate himself in both design and making clothes, it wasn’t until he made the move to Sydney he better understood the whole process.
“I didn’t have enough knowledge or information, or skills, until I went to college.”
That college, the Fashion Design Studio, has seen some noted alumni graduate and develop some of Australia’s top fashion labels, such as Lisa Ho, Akira Isogawa, Dion Lee, Romance Was Born and Project Runway Australia mentor Alex Perry just to name a few.
“Winning this has been great for people who went to my high school because it shows them you can do anything you set your mind to,” Dylan said.
“I do really miss Moree sometimes.
“I used to go back quite a bit, but last year I was really busy and probably won’t get back until later this year.”
Since winning the competition, Dylan has been working hard studying the upcoming trends and putting together his collection at his studio in Alexandria.
As winner of (ITALICS) Project Runway, Dylan won an incredible prize pack which includes a car, the opportunity to show his collection at Australian Fashion Week, $50,000, and a trip to New York.
Dylan spent much of December (CHECK) using his New York prize and continued his trip abroad by travelling to Paris and London - a trip which provided much inspiration for his next collection.
“Visiting the designer stores and site seeing were the highlights, and New Year’s Eve in new York was just amazing,” he said.
The support Dylan has received and his positive thinking have been crucial to his success so far.
“One of my favourite sayings is be careful what you wish for but don’t be afraid of what you want because if you want something badly enough, and try really hard to get it, you just need to be prepared for it,” he said.
“I have had a couple of people contact me to thank me for showing them you can get out of there and get what you want.”
If Dylan could emulate any designer’s career it would be that of Marc Jacobs.
“I would love to one day generate my own brand and design for an established fashion house, like Marc Jacobs’ does at Louis Vuitton,” Dylan said.
“To take your own ideas and take the heritage from that brand and be true to that brand - that is the ultimate.”
If Dylan could dress anybody it would be British actress Emma Watson, from the Harry Potter movies.
“She is so unbelievably beautiful and elegant and classic - she transcends style
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