In her graduate collection Forged in Fleece, Emerging Sydney-based designer Lillika Sarai, founder of Lillika Sarai, blends memory, material, and meaning. Drawing from her grandparents’ farm and Australia’s wool legacy, she crafts pieces that are both nostalgic and forward-thinking.
“The collection is rooted in childhood memories,” she shares. “Particularly catching sheep to tag them as a child. It allowed me to connect my future to my past through the importance of the wool industry”.
This connection is more than symbolic, t’s built into the garments. For example, her 81-year-old grandfather handcrafted oversized metal buttons using scrap metal from his shed. “It was fun and meaningful to include him,” she says. “He enjoys working with his hands and always has scrap metal around. When I asked him to make the buttons, he had a lot of questions about why someone would want buttons that big and heavy on their clothing”.
Throughout the collection, textures become tools for storytelling. Hand-piped liquid latex mesh recalls the twists of fencing wire. Meanwhile, rusted nail beads capture the worn surfaces of old woolsheds. “I try to find unusual pieces and make them high fashion,” Lillika explains. “The rusted metal beads came from a local scrap store. They instantly reminded me of my grandparents’ woolshed”.
In terms of shape and silhouette, the collection takes cues from workwear, but with a twist. For instance, she reinterprets historical sheep farming attire with dandyism-inspired tailoring. “The contrast between tough rural life and elegant dressing felt exciting to explore,” she says. As a result, her silhouettes merge masculine structure with flamboyant softness.
One standout piece, the T-post poncho, required careful engineering. “It was the hardest part to construct, but it became the hero of the collection,” she recalls. To support the embedded metal elements, she built a custom framework that balanced strength with wearability.
Education played a vital role in helping Lillika bring these visions to life. Her time at Whitehouse Institute of Design gave her the technical foundation to explore freely. “Whitehouse changed the way I design,” she says. “Learning to sew and pattern make gave me the confidence to experiment. Without those skills, this collection wouldn’t exist”.
In addition, sustainability remains central to her work. She uses natural fibres, especially wool, chosen for its durability and low environmental impact. “I want my garments to last and be passed down,” she says. Furthermore, every metal detail was sourced sustainably, from her grandfather’s shed or local secondhand shops. “Sustainability is essential to the future of fashion,” she emphasizes. “It shapes every choice I make”.
Through Forged in Fleece, Lillika doesn’t just celebrate rural Australia, she transforms it. Her work captures the textures, labor, and stories of the land while reimagining them for a modern audience. Consequently, each piece feels intimate, grounded, and uniquely alive.
Looking ahead, she envisions an international future. “Paris,” she says. “My goal is to grow my brand while working for a major house. I want to see my name in the global fashion world, and on a fashion week runway”.
Ultimately, Forged in Fleece proves that fashion can preserve memory while pushing boundaries. One button, one seam, one story at a time, Lillika Sarai is a name to remember.
