Lillika Sarai Henderson
CREATIVE BIO
Lillika Sarai is a Sydney-based fashion designer whose work focuses on sculptural silhouettes, textural construction, and material experimentation. Her practice centres on transforming raw and unconventional materials through precise pattern making and detailed craftsmanship. She focuses on sustainable fashion, drawing primarily on natural Australian fibres to construct her garments. Her work embodies features such as hand-piped liquid latex mesh, repurposed rusted nails for embellishment, and hand crafted oversized metal buttons that bring industrial elements into garment form. Exploring contrast, Lillika Sarai builds garments that challenge traditional surface and structure. She was awarded an Electrolux X Whitehouse design grant, recognising her commitment to innovative and sustainable approaches to design. Her work has also appeared on Vogue Runway with her mish-mash mini featured in their “Best Street Style We’ve Spotted at Australian Fashion Week 2025” coverage. She was also a finalist in the 2025 ‘Fashions on the Field- Emerging Designer award’.
DESIGN STATEMENT
Forged in Fleece draws from the history of the Australian wool industry and memories of time spent on my grandparent’s farm. It explores how natural fibre, agricultural tools, and rural textures inform construction, with silhouettes shaped by oversized protective outerwear, sculpted wool layering, and structures echoing corrugated sheds and utilitarian workwear. Features include hand-piped liquid latex mesh inspired by farm fencing, rusted nail beads used as textural embellishments, and hand crafted oversized metal buttons, referencing industrial hardware. These elements merge traditional wool tailoring with experimental surface work. Rooted in sustainable practice and tactile craftsmanship, this collection reframes the rugged textures of rural Australia, preserving the authenticity of the land while experimenting with contemporary design and pushing material boundaries
