Phoebe Paradise: Punk designer ready to unleash at Fashion360

She started out designing band tees, then moved on to styling rockstars and now Phoebe Sheehy is ready to launch her punk-inspired range to the masses. Called Phoebe Paradise, the range will give some serious edge to the Fashion360 catwalk this week.

She says she hasn’t had “a real job” in five years.

But Phoebe Sheehy is rushed off her feet as she prepares to showcase her latest designs in a runway extravaganza that will mark her graduation from QUT’s Fashion360 program.

The 28-year-old is hoping her punk music-inspired label Phoebe Paradise will turn heads and open the door to new adventures.

“I’ve worked in call centres, warehouses and music studios over the years but now I really want to focus on going forward with Phoebe Paradise,” she tells Brisbane News.

“I love making stuff and to work in fashion forever would just be fantastic.”

Edgy: Phoebe Sheehy, the brains behind the label Phoebe Paradise. Photographed at the Tryp Hotel. Photo: Russell Shakespeare

Phoebe, who lives in Fortitude Valley, launched Phoebe Paradise in 2014 after dropping out of a digital arts diploma.

Always needing to express her creativity, she started designing promotional T-shirts for bands, but soon realised there was scope to extend her artistic talents and design a range of clothing for local bands to wear on stage.

Aimed at women in their 20s and 30s, the label now features T-shirts, dresses, skirts and jackets in unique prints inspired by music and art.

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When designing, Phoebe says she also incorporates “the details of life that are distinctly Queensland”, such as “the grimy cityscape” and “drinking culture and violence” juxtaposed with “the natural beauty that permeates across the state.”

The new collection also features hand painted garments, and everything is designed and manufactured in Australia.

“They’re very textural pieces and made for people to wear when they’re performing,” Phoebe explains.

“When people are on stage they want to stand out and I think this is a label that enables them to do just that, but a lot of women are also buying the designs to wear to gigs or just to the shops.

“I’m super excited about the showcase and everyone is in real panic mode as we get ready for it.”

Catwalk ready: Phoebe Sheehy prepares to showcase her new Phoebe Paradise collection, Photographed at the Tryp Hotel. Photo: Russell Shakespeare

Australia’s only fashion accelerator program, the six-month Fashion360 course run by Creative Enterprise Australia (CEA) equips six emerging fashion entrepreneurs with the skills needed to execute and sustain a growing business, through support, mentoring, a range of masterclasses and an individual workspace with industry-grade facilities.

As well as the catwalk show, each designer will pitch their business models to a panel of industry elite, for feedback and advice.

Phoebe, a former Indooroopilly State High School student, has enjoyed the journey. She recently closed her shop, Phoebe Paradise, in Fortitude Valley, to concentrate on the online element of her business phoebeparadise.com

“I’ve been mentored and pushed and educated in this world of fashion. The professional development and support has been amazing.”

Fashion360 Showcase, August 22, The Calile Hotel, New Farm, 4pm-7.30pm

fashion360accelerator.com