Interview of Liliana Gaggiano by Freya Bennett
Hi Liliana, how are you? Tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m very well thank you. My name is Liliana Gaggiano, I’m super excited to join Ramona Magazine as a Communications and Design Intern! I’m going into my third year of my Professional Communications Bachelor degree at RMIT University with a major in Public Relations and a minor in Digital Communications. I have to say, design is one of my favourite things: fashion design, communication design, interior design, I enjoy it all. I have loved the world of creativity and imagination since I was in primary school and it’s a dream come true to pursue this field as a career.
When do you feel most like yourself?
I feel most like myself when I’m designing and creating clothes. I made my first dress when I was in primary school, and while it was a very basic dress, fashion design is a skill that I’ve continued to develop every chance I get. Creating sketches, cutting patterns or sewing is a process in which I let my imagination completely take over, and even if the end result isn’t what I was hoping for, it’s during the whole design process I feel most like myself.
What are you currently learning, and what are you trying to unlearn?
I’m currently learning that there’s a lot more to life than just school. Being in high school five days a week often felt really restricting, and so stepping into university life the whole world just opened up. There’s a lot more choice and freedom, and I’m so excited to conquer whatever comes my way.
One thing I’m trying to unlearn is the need to have everything figured out. I’m the type of person who loves planning and having a clear path, but I’m learning to appreciate the spontaneity of life and embrace uncertainty.
Who taught you what it means to be a woman and what parts have you kept or rejected?
My mum and my grandmothers have taught me what it means to be a woman. My mum has always shown strength; she’s taught me always to stand up for myself and the importance of letting my voice be heard. My grandmothers are both Italian immigrants and they’ve taught me the value of resilience and hard work. My grandmothers showed me that being a woman doesn’t mean having to choose family over work, but that you can be ambitious and nurturing all at once.
I’ve kept a lot of what I’ve learned from my mum and my grandmothers. I’ve got a can-do attitude that I apply to everything I do, and I carry with me the lessons of strength, resilience and compassion.
What’s a small act of rebellion that feels radical in your ordinary life?
I’d have to say staying in my pj’s on a lazy day. It’s my tiny rebellious act that makes me feel like I’m breaking all the rules. Sipping my coffee, scrolling on TikTok and watching Netflix is always more enjoyable when I know that I don’t need to get dressed or be productive. On those days, doing absolutely nothing feels like the ultimate act of freedom.
What are you hoping to achieve during your internship at Ramona?
During my internship with Ramona, I hope to get hands-on experience creating content and developing my writing skills. I’m excited to contribute to a magazine, step out of my comfort zone and push my skills ever further to create engaging, meaningful and creative content that resonates with audiences.
