Fashioning Her Future: ICMS Graduate Launches Leiora the Label

Fashion has always been ICMS student Mackenzie Fogg’s passion, and now she’s brought her dream to life with the launch of her own fashion label, Leiora the Label. 

“Leiora means ‘my light’ in Hebrew, and it really reflects what fashion has always been for me – a guiding force,” Mackenzie explains.  

“Our brand vision is ‘Bold, Intentional, and Unapologetic Elegance’, and that’s exactly what I want to bring to the fashion world.” 

A Lifelong Dream

Mackenzie graduates with a Bachelor of Business (Fashion and Global Brand Management) this year, but her journey to launching Leiora the Label started long before her time at ICMS.  

From sketching dresses as a child to having her HSC major textiles project showcased and earning a Band 6, her love for fashion has always been clear. 

After high school, she pursued an Advanced Diploma of Fashion Design and Garment Production at Couture Arts Fashion College in Pymble.  

It was there that her mentor, Gaylene, encouraged her to also take up a scholarship at ICMS to study business. 

“Gaylene really helped me see the bigger picture,” Mackenzie says.  

“She encouraged me to think beyond just design and focus on building the skills I’d need to create and run my own label.” 

Building Leiora the Label

The idea for Leiora the Label came from Mackenzie’s observations of the fashion industry.  

“I noticed a lot of poor-quality garments being sold at inflated prices,” she says.  

“I wanted to create a brand that stood for exceptional design, superior construction, and sustainability; clothing that’s made to last.” 

The name Leiora came to her about a year ago and felt like the perfect fit.  

“It was intuitive,” she says.  

“Leiora means ‘my light’, and it just felt right for what I wanted the brand to represent.” 

How ICMS Helped

Mackenzie credits her time at ICMS for giving her the confidence and skills to take the leap into starting her own business.  

“The Bachelor of Business (Fashion and Global Brand Management) is such a well-rounded degree,” she says.  

“It’s perfect for anyone who wants to start their own label or work in the fashion industry.” 

Through the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program, Mackenzie gained valuable industry connections, and her lecturers’ real-world experience was a constant source of inspiration.  

“The discussions I had with my lecturers were so motivating. They helped me understand the importance of collaboration and gave me insights into the industry that I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else. 

“By the time I finished my studies, I felt ready to start my own label.  

“ICMS gave me the tools to handle every aspect of the business, from design to sustainability.” 

The Onyx Gown

One of Mackenzie’s standout creations is the Onyx Gown, a design inspired by Madeleine Vionnet, known for her bias-cut gowns.  

“I wanted to create something that was drapey, flowing, and elegant,” Mackenzie says. 

The gown, made from luxe black Italian satin, was a labour of love.  

“It started with a fashion illustration, then I draped the design on a mannequin, made a toile, and adjusted the fit until it was perfect,” she explains.  

“The whole process took about two months, but that’s because I was also juggling four subjects in my final trimester. In a real-world setting, it could have been done in under two weeks.” 

What’s Next?

With her studies now complete, Mackenzie is focused on preparing Leiora the Label’s debut capsule collection, set to launch this Spring. 

“I’m so excited to bring my vision to life,” she says.  

“This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.” 

For Mackenzie, the journey from ICMS graduate to fashion entrepreneur is proof that with the right skills, support, and determination, dreams really can become reality.  

Follow her journey and explore her designs on Instagram at @leiorathelabel.