We chatted with Collarts Fashion Marketing graduate Lilli and how she turned creativity, storytelling and self-expression into a thriving freelance career.
Soon after completing her Bachelor of Fashion Marketing at Collarts, Lilli is already kicking goals in branding, partnerships and communications.
For Lilli, one iconic boot brand changed everything.
“Doc Martens was a dream collab. I’ve loved the brand since I was a kid—my mum gave me my first pair as a congratulations present when I got my braces off!” she shared.
After leaving a full-time role as a social media manager, feeling uncertain and creatively burnt out, Lilli was ready to step away from the industry entirely. But then, on the very same day she resigned, Doc Martens reached out.
“I almost said no. But I’m so glad I didn’t. Creating content for them reignited my creativity and helped me step into freelance work with new energy. They quite literally brought the love back into my ‘sole’ (pun intended!).”
While studying Fashion Marketing at Collarts, Lilli threw herself into a range of creative side projects—from designing film posters that made cameos in her videos, to knitting a custom scarf with her name on it.
She also secured a final-trimester internship at Pinch, a start-up photo-sharing app, where she learnt from mentors and fellow interns in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
But what made the biggest impact?
“Collarts gave me space to explore and express myself authentically and unapologetically. That’s what stuck with me the most.”
Job-ready for the creative industry with real-world skills
When asked which skills from Collarts she uses most in her work, the answer was simple: “Everything.”
From copywriting and graphic design to scheduling and campaign strategy, her current work continues to be shaped by her time at Collarts.
Now thriving as a freelance content creator, Lilli has become known for her storytelling-first approach—especially when it comes to writing scripts.
“My creative spark comes from listening. Listening to people’s stories, their passions, their purpose. That’s where the inspiration lives.”
Interested in Fashion Marketing? Take Lilli’s advice: