For Fashion Marketing student Nico Takeyama, fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s a way of telling stories, starting conversations and turning creativity into something people can connect with.
As the founder and designer behind On The Rose Corsetry, Nico is building a brand that’s part fashion label, part art project—and his time at Collarts has helped him bring it all to life.
“I’ve always been drawn to creativity—fashion, art, interior design, music,” Nico says. “When I thought about the kind of future I wanted, I knew I needed something that balanced creativity with business.”
That’s where the Fashion Marketing course at Collarts came in. It gave Nico the space to explore his creativity and the tools to turn it into a real business.
“Learning about branding and management helped me start making sales, which now allows me to keep creating the clothes I love.”
Nico’s label is all about reimagining the corset—one of fashion’s most controversial, loved-and-hated pieces—as something powerful, intricate and expressive.
“I see corsets as art, not just clothing,” he explains. “At On The Rose, I challenge myself to create designs that celebrate their craftsmanship and beauty. Fashion is self-expression and a living art form—and that’s what I want to reflect in my work.”
One of Nico’s biggest milestones? Having his designs stocked at Shop Gal, a Melbourne boutique that supports emerging designers. “That was huge for me,” he says. “It led to real sales and showed me that people genuinely connect with what I’m creating.”
Between studying, designing and running his own label, Nico’s schedule is full—but he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I don’t really separate my studies, work and business because they all feed into each other,” he says. “I give 100% to everything I do. It’s intense, but it works because I genuinely love it.”
Looking ahead, Nico’s not just thinking about fashion—he’s dreaming up ways to collaborate across music, film, photography and more.
“I want to create more than just fashion; I want to create art,” he says. “Collaborating with other creatives helps tell a bigger story.”
Want to explore where Fashion Marketing can take you?
Photography by Collarts Photography students Ally Lockhart (@shootsdigitally) and Matilda Baumann (@technicoloursuper888)