Continuing our support of the bright young things of fashion, this year we’ve teamed up with Frankie magazine to support the LMFF Metamorphosis Student Showcase.  We caught up with the amazingly talented finalists as they get set to hit the catwalk.

We love a bit of romance in our clothes, and so does RMIT grad Christiana Livaditis, whose collection for the Metamorphosis show is inspired by iconic romances throughout history and the way women dress when they're in love - all with a a gothic edge. We're in love! We chatted to the 22-year-old designer as she got set to hit the runway with the big names of Aussie fashion as part of the LMFF.

SPORTSGIRL: HI CHRISTIANA! CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

Christiana Livaditis: I studied Fashion Design at RMIT University and I graduated in 2009. I currently work as a freelance stylist as well as designing my own collection. I love collaborating with creative geniuses on exciting projects. I am a Taurus and I have a black cat called Valentino. I like designing when it’s a full moon.

SG: AND YOUR COLLECTION FOR THE LMFF METAMORPHOSIS STUDENT SHOWCASE?

CL: The collection, ‘A Language of Romance’, was inspired by iconic romances throughout history. Through the close examination of romantic relationships, an analysis was undertaken of how women dress differently according to the particular stage of a romance they are involved in, from the initial outset of a romance right through to its end. During the design process, codes were created according to hypothetical situations of romances. CODE: Man = fabric + Woman = Embellishment, the technique executed was informed through the hypothetical situation of a romance. Each piece of the collection is a tribute to the romantic relationship.

SG: IT'S AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW AT THE LMFF. HOW DOES IT FEEL?

CL: I’m really excited to be able to share my collection with LMFF and show alongside the other incredibly talented young Australian emerging designers. I always attend the LMFF shows and to be able to be apart of the Metamorphosis show is truly a great feeling.

SG: WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR COLLECTION?

CL: I was always inspired to study the way women dress differently according to what stage of a romance they are involved in. I began to read iconic biographies of powerful women such as Marie Antoinette, and Lucile Lady Duff Gordon to study the ways their romances affected their choices of dress. I drew inspiration from the symbolic historical traditions of bridal and mourning attire. I wanted the collection to be a modern interpretation of femininity and elegance, two elements, akin to a romantic situation. My natural love of working by hand and with delicate fabrics, lead to a collection which explores hand embellishment and a self developed method of construction using codes and formulas, both symbolic of the way a man and a woman form an equation. The collection is a tribute to the romantic relationship from the past, present and future.

SG: WHEN DID THE LIGHT BULB GO OFF IN YOUR HEAD?

CL: When I realised I had the freedom to bring a story to life through clothing.

SG: WHAT OR WHO IS YOUR BIGGEST INSPIRATION?

CL: The magical city of Paris.

SG: WHO IS THE IDEAL PERSON TO WEAR YOUR COLLECTION?

CL: Anyone who is drawn to bring to life what I am striving to create.