Designing Her Future at 14: Meet Young Fashion Visionary Olivia Robertson
In a world driven by fast-paced digital noise, it’s rare to meet someone who moves with the intentionality, purpose, and creative clarity of Olivia Robertson.
At just 14 years old, Olivia is an extraordinary fashion designer whose determination and vision are well beyond her years. Sitting down with her recently was a powerful reminder of what happens when we carve out space to be present, curious, and fully ourselves.
From Four Years Old to the Festival Runway
Olivia’s journey with a needle and thread started remarkably early—she began sewing when she was just four years old. By age 12, she made her debut on the Tasmanian Fashion Festival runway, showcasing her original work alongside established creatives.
This October, Olivia returns for her third consecutive year, bringing another stunning original design to life.
In our conversation, Olivia opens up about:
The Spark: How her passion for fashion first began.
The Craft: The dedication, patience, and detail required to bring a concept from initial sketch to finished garment.
The Mentorship: What she’s learned working under the guidance of acclaimed Tasmanian designer Celyna Ziolkowski.
A Refreshing Perspective on Growing Up Screen-Free
One of the most compelling parts of Olivia’s story is her upbringing in an increasingly digital world. Raised largely without screens, Olivia offers a deeply insightful perspective on how limited technology shaped her childhood.
Rather than feeling disconnected, Olivia shares how this intentional space helped her build a close-knit bond with her family, hone her creative focus, and become mindful of how she spends her time. It’s a refreshing, grounding reminder of the beauty that unfolds when we give ourselves room to imagine without constant distraction.
Catch Olivia at the Tasmanian Fashion Festival
You can see Olivia’s latest collection on the runway at this year’s Tasmanian Fashion Festival, running 10–11 October at Princes Wharf No. 1 in Hobart.
Project Emerald Collective will also be there with our very first Activation Station—a dedicated space designed to bring our community, purpose, and evolving vision to life in person. We would love to see you there!
An Intentional Pause for the Marketplace
As we step into this next season, we have an important update regarding our community: The Project Emerald Marketplace will be taking an intentional pause starting 30 September.
This pause gives us the dedicated time and focus needed to build greater momentum around Project Emerald Collective, allowing us to curate deeper, more meaningful ways for our community to connect, participate, and grow.
Our Activation Station at the Tasmanian Fashion Festival marks the official first expression of this new chapter, and I couldn't be more excited for what’s ahead.
Thank you for being such an integral part of this community, and for continuing to support the women, stories, and conscious ideas shaping our future.
With love,
Eve
Project Emerald Collective
