By Annette Sanfilippo
I’m no famous designer, but when I style a vision that can reach the masses through an image, social media or a magazine, my work feels validated and seen. If I can evoke a reaction to my interpretation of beauty and art through fashion, it makes me extremely happy.
Fashion brings me joy. It is my happy place, and my way of expressing all the buzz constantly whirring in my never resting brain. Don’t get me wrong, I relax, chill, sleep well and luckily my blood pressure runs low, but once I’m ‘on’, those ideas have to come to fruition.
I call myself a ‘Jackaroo’, a Jack of all trades and master of none, and I’m ok with that. It means I’m not stagnant or stuck doing one thing forever. I’m always learning, making and opening my mind to new things and I have been very blessed to have done so in the fashion arena for forty years.
Anyone who knows me knows to ask, ‘what are you doing now?’ One minute I’m creating an event for charity, then dressing up to host a soiree, now I’m making a hat to send to Ascot, then dressing someone for the races, next I’m writing articles, and then I’m putting on a fashion parade to showcase my wares. There is never a dull moment, thankfully, and I’m proud that I still have the passion for it all.
When I reflect on four decades of fashion I realise I have witnessed some incredible transformations and trends born from the rise of distinct subcultures like hip hop, preppy and grunge. The eighties alone was a time of great inspiration (and shoulder pads) for me. With the shift to digital media, the evolution of manufacturing and the now the focus on sustainability, fashion trends and their delivery have been able to move quickly.
I studied teaching with majors in art and dance, but it wasn’t going to be my ultimate path. I was lucky to open a boutique in 1986 that thrust me into a world of couturiers, consignments and cost!
Clients trusted you with ideas, fabric, fit and overall aesthetic
This was a time when making a bespoke outfit was the done thing when you had an event. Clients trusted you with ideas, fabric, fit and overall aesthetic and luckily with a family history in servitude and being apt with pencil and paper, I kept those costs at bay! It’s a little different now with offshoring and fast fashion.
Eleven years out of that forty I was playing shops in The Village at the Tyabb Antique Packing House. Some of my most constructive years were spent toiling in my shipping container studio and I feel honoured to have been part of its history. When I come back to visit a little part of me saddens that I had to move on. Recently I played dress-ups at my old stomping ground to mark my achievement and immersed myself into the wonderland of the Tyabb Vintage Emporium owned by fashionista extraordinaire Vanessa Mangan. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Lucky to be finessed by the fabulous makeup artist Suzy Alii, our fabulous Peninsula Essence photographer Yanni had the daunting task to get at least two shots to mark the occasion…I had faith, he is a master!
I’ve been really fortunate to have been able to immerse myself into so many areas of fashion to date. I’ve designed and collaborated with renowned couturiers, styled and dressed the elite and celebrity, created runways and worked with some of the most professional models, many still working today. Being in front of the camera isn’t my norm. I’m happiest directing the photography and have full respect for all the professionals I have worked with over the years able to add that magic touch of technique to the snaps.
In 2026 and working for an iconic Australian label, Cue Clothing, I get the opportunity to talk about style and keep honing my skills by dressing women and elevating not only their aesthetic but impacting their mood and mindset towards the importance of fashion in their world. I don’t see this as work and I get paid!
I’m a Leo! I thrive on and need to surround myself with fashionable drama and beautiful things. Exposed to theatre and performance from a young age, I was always keen to perform, speak or sing and dressing up has always been a fun pastime. It’s never just been the outfit. The shoes, jewellery, handbags, accessories, and hairstyles are all so important. It’s about the bigger picture and detail is everything. I love the circus of emotions that fill my mind when I create. It’s a process of scheming, dreaming and organising until I’m satisfied and those in the know understand I’m over the top and love a challenge. Go big or go home!
Looking back to my city boutique days I feel I had some good characteristics for success coupled with a little innate knowledge that got me through in a world not for the faint hearted. With a keen eye and strong work ethic I held my own. But now with solid experience under my belt I feel I could approach anything. More so now than when I was studying teaching, I feel driven to mentor students to focus and cherish their passion for creativity. Experience can’t be taught in a classroom.
I did tease the senses a few years back and through a textiles program I brought my craft to high school students on the peninsula. Perhaps you can’t take the teacher out of me.
Anyway, I do what I do and hopefully I have made an impact as a maker of pretty things. I’m honoured to write and bring my fashion talk to this fabulous publication and hope you are all enjoying the read each month. I don’t compare my work with others and believe we have plenty of room for everyone’s creativity. A famous milliner by the name of Peter Jago whom I had the privilege to work with, called me the ‘Miss Congeniality’ of fashion and I loved that.
I feel like I’m far from done with this journey, and who knows where I may pop up next. Will my name show up on a ‘chalk board’ in a classroom or a billboard atop a theatre? Stay tuned!
Cheers to many more years in fashion.
Fashionably yours,
Annette