We were honoured to have Glynis Traill Nash (1987) return to St Hilda’s last week as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Graduation Assembly and Awards Ceremony.
For the past twenty years, Glynis has been a fixture on the front rows of fashion events across Australia and has travelled the world in pursuit of stories about the industry. As one of Australia’s most respected and experienced fashion writers and commentators, Glynis took a circuitous route to this point after leaving St Hilda’s in 1987.
Pictured above -1987 House Officials L-R: Tania Blain, Joanna Chalmers, Sophie Rosser, Georgiana Gardner, Trena Page, Gretchen Boughton, Mrs Button, Dr Constable, Lisa Daffen, Kelly Shepherd, Glynis Traill-Nash, Alexandra Wilders, Amanda Becker, Haidi Jenkins.
Missing out on a spot in the musical theatre course at WAAPA, she undertook an Arts degree at UWA, majoring in French and English. That said, most of her time was spent in the Dolphin Theatre with the University Dramatic Society. As her degree ended, she landed a job in the Publications Unit at the university, which unwittingly kickstarted a career in publishing.
Moving to London in her mid-20s, she continued working in magazines, soon finding her feet as a freelance sub-editor, which she always considered her day job while singing jazz in clubs by night. During her time at the newspaper, her breadth of writing expanded to include business, sustainability, Indigenous fashion and socio-politics through the fashion lens, which was a welcome addition to staying across microtrends and hem lengths. Travel has always been a bonus in her line of work. In a bid to keep her French up to scratch – which she started studying at St Hilda’s with Madame Putigny- she would often go to Paris to cover the haute couture shows, then stay on for a holiday to immerse herself in the language and vast patisserie offerings.
Today, Glynis writes for numerous publications, including the Australian Financial Review, AFR Magazine, Marie Claire, Australian Women’s Weekly, and Harpers Bazaar. She is also the Australian correspondent for the global industry bible Business of Fashion.
Pictured above L-R: With Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson 2019. With Carla Zampati 2015, With Jean Paul Gautier 2014.
Glynis’s keynote speech at the 2024 Graduation and Awards Ceremony was a profoundly inspiring address that resonated with our girls. She candidly shared her journey of navigating the early stages of her career, emphasising the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing individuality. Glynis encouraged our 2024 graduates to fearlessly pursue diverse ventures and opportunities, highlighting the value of resilience and adaptability in shaping a fulfilling professional path. Her words were a beacon of encouragement, urging our girls to forge their unique paths with confidence and creativity.
