At 17 years old, Jye Marshall splits his time between studying fashion at TAFE, and filming a television show in Sydney.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At just 10 years old, he knew he appreciated fabrics more than others his age.
“The passion very first started when my mum had a coffee shop and in the shop we had another lady with a fabric store,” Marshall said.
Fast forward to 2016, when he decided to design his own suit and enter it in the APEX Tasmania fashion parade.
“I made a blue suit and a garment for my sister and for my mum as well and they were all modelled in the show,” Marshall said.
“Between then and now I’ve made a burgundy suit to go back in the APEX [show] the following year. I also made a ball dress [in 2017] for my partner to go to the ball with.”
He also created a design that focused on the fashion industry’s impact on the environment and sustainability.
“I basically created a waste-phere,” he said.
Then, he got a job presenting a children’s television show, all while still at school and attending TAFE.
“GetArty is a kid’s art show where we inspire young kids to get off technology and start creating,” he said.
“I was searching the web one day, and then I found GetArty.
“I did this online audition and flew over to Sydney and did another audition.”
Marshall now presents the show with four others and has finished filming its second series.
“One has already aired and our second season will be on TV in April 2018,” he said.
“I usually go around every two to three months and we go over and film big chunks, so we film eight episodes in one week.”
He said the commitment takes a lot of organisation, but he loves every minute.
“I usually try to time it in the school holidays, but sometimes it doesn’t plan out,” Marshall said.
“It’s really cool to be on TV.”
Marshall said his favourite part of his TV gig was being able to inspire young children.
“I know the feeling of someone asking you where you bought something from, and being able to say you made it is a good feeling.
“It’s nice to be able to pass that inspiration on to other children and teach them they can do it as well.”
Marshall said his presenting role makes him “pretty cool” with his friends.
“All my friends think it’s really cool and make jokes asking if they can be my assistant,” he said.
“I just think it’s been a dream.
“I still pinch myself every time I go there to film.”
Marshall said his parents still do not believe it.
“They’re really proud of me and can’t really believe that it happened because I just sort of auditioned and we thought nothing would happen.
“Then they emailed me back.
“I think I was in the middle of history or something when they emailed me back, it was pretty crazy.”
Marshall said he also enjoys when the show goes out on location.
“[We] sometimes go around Australia and all stay together as a big team.
“There is usually a producer, a camera man and a mic guy with a presenter.”
Marshall said a lot of his designing inspiration comes from Australia.
“I really like designing casual wear.
“Australia has a real laid-back fashion industry with lots of cool and relaxing fabrics,” he said.
“My inspiration comes very much from the fabric or from the environment. I love being able to go through the fabric stores and being able to see all the fabrics.
“I love inspiration that comes from nature, too.”
Marshall also has grand plans for his future.
“I’m staying at TAFE for a few years to get the foundation knowledge because I think that is really good to do before moving on,” he said.
“Then I might move on to design or acting or something like that.”
He said he would also like to continue TV presenting and see how far he can take it – aiming high for his own fashion label.
“I love presenting, and I’m passionate about fashion, so I’d love to be able to combine them together,” Marshall said.
Keeping all options open, Marshall plans to spend some travelling and keeping an eye open for fashion internships.
The second season of GetArty airs on April 2, on 7Two at 7am. Season one is already re-playing on Foxtel’s Discovery Channel.
My inspiration comes very much from the fabric or from the environment. I love being able to go through the fabric stores and being able to see all the fabrics.
- Jye Marshall