A documentary is underway
In late 2025, award-winning filmmaker Lucy Paplinska became curious about SVED's method and the impact it was having on clients' lives.
Since then, Lucy has been documenting the stories, transformations and experiences of five SVED clients, exploring the relationship between wardrobe, identity and personal style, and the ways in which clothing can shape how we see ourselves and move through the world.
About Sarah’s Story
Sarah came to SVED for help finding a formal dress at short notice for a TV event with Delta Goodrem.
Anna recognised that the goal was not just finding a dress. Sarah was preparing to publicly represent herself one year after surviving a sudden cardiac arrest.
Rather than beginning with shopping, Anna used a coaching exercise to help Sarah mentally rehearse the event. She guided Sarah to visualise arriving, sitting with her friend, walking on stage, meeting Delta, noticing how she wanted to feel and imagining what she was wearing.
That process uncovered practical design criteria Sarah had not consciously identified. She visualised a long black dress with shoulder detail. More importantly, she identified that she needed to feel comfortable, confident and able to move without thinking about her clothes.
After the session Anna researched options and sent Sarah a curated selection.
Sarah independently visited a boutique, immediately recognised the dress she had imagined during the coaching exercise and bought it without Anna being present.
"I just trusted myself based on the process that I'd been through with Anna."
The impact extended beyond the purchase. Sarah repeatedly used Anna's coaching throughout her decision making. She altered the dress for practicality, trusted her own judgement and later practised walking on stage with Anna so the dress became something she could confidently inhabit rather than simply wear.
The outcome was not simply an absolutely stunning outfit. It was for Sarah to step into a nationally televised event feeling prepared, looking good, feeling like herself and being empowered after one of the most significant years of her life.
About Kate’s Story
Kate initially engaged SVED to sort out her wardrobe at the end of 2024. That work is still continuing almost two years later.
This is Part 1 of that story.
Kate discusses how her greatest wardrobe challenge was not her performance wardrobe. It was her everyday wardrobe.
Kate had confidence when someone else styled her for performances, but felt disconnected from what to wear in ordinary life. She described herself as "a complete dag" and struggled to give herself permission to prioritise comfort, daily function and herself outside work.
Rather than focusing only on iconic costumes, Anna helped Kate let go of more than one hundred garments, reframe her relationship with clothing and build an everyday wardrobe that supported the person behind the performer.
"Anna helped me in that way that all the other stylists have never bothered with that kind of thing before."
One seemingly small intervention became symbolic. Anna suggested that Kate dedicate an entire shelf to her pyjamas because comfort deserved space too.
"The most potent thing she did was she said, 'Kate, you're allowed to have a whole shelf that's just for your pajamas. Your comfort is important.'"
Kate describes that moment as changing the way she viewed herself. She no longer separated the performer from the person.
Anna facilitated the donation of a number of Kate's significant pieces to the Australian Museum of Performing Arts collection, including Kate's Eurovision dresses, which became part of the Australian contribution to the DIVA touring exhibition.
SVED's work is about supporting the individual, the person who does the performing, not the performance, by helping them align their wardrobes with their whole lives, including the parts no one else sees.
About Joel’s Story
Joel came to SVED feeling stuck after the pandemic. His wardrobe no longer reflected who he had become professionally or personally.
"I think I was a bit stuck to be honest."
Joel felt like he was only presenting just one version of himself. His clothing felt restrictive.
"I had a bunch of old versions of me in my wardrobe.”
"Little did I realise that there was potentially lots of other versions of Joel that might be able to operate in the world."
Rather than beginning with shopping, Anna spent time understanding Joel's life, career and aspirations. Through guided coaching and styling techniques, they identified the qualities he wanted his wardrobe to express, as well as the feeling he wanted to embody.
The impact extended well beyond clothing.
Joel describes becoming more comfortable in his body, more grounded, and more authentic as a presenter, conductor and leader.
"It was actually what I was wearing that then shifted the way that I turned up as a presenter."
"I noticed a really significant difference when I listened back to myself."
"It meant that I could show up in a much more relaxed and appropriate way for the work that I was actually doing.”
Rather than creating a costume, the process gave him permission to express different facets of himself and use clothes as a tool across different professional contexts while remaining recognisably himself.
"The jacket's like a portal towards the next level of my career."
The wardrobe strategy is simultaneously grounding in the present while working towards future goals. Joel now has clothing that symbolises the professional identity he is evolving into and the worlds he moves through.
SVED's work supports clients today while building intentional wardrobes that are strategically aligned with their goals.
"Anna made the whole thing just really fun and exciting and magical."
About Jacinta’s Story
Jacinta was gifted multiple sessions with SVED.
Initially, she considered giving the experience to somebody else. She had an idea in her head about what styling was and, as somebody who loved clothing and style, assumed it was for people returning to work or changing careers.
Instead, she decided to go ahead, almost as an anthropological experiment.
After entering menopause, alongside personal changes including a changing body, relationship shifts and a growing disconnect between her outward success and inner confidence, she found herself at a turning point.
"On the professional side everything was great but on the inside there was a disconnect."
"My body completely changed and my confidence probably took a bit of a dive."
Rather than focusing on body shape or styling formulas, Anna explored Jacinta's identity, values, creativity and relationship with her clothes. Together they revisited treasured garments, uncovered the stories attached to them and reimagined how they could support and Jacinta. To look good, and feel good.
The practical outcome was a revitalised wardrobe built largely from clothes Jacinta already owned.
"It was like meeting all my old friends again."
The deeper outcome was that Jacinta regained her sense of self. Other people noticed the change despite her wearing largely the same clothes.
"She's about finding out what's the personality, who's the person inside, who needs to shine."
SVED is not about changing the client. Anna helps clients reconnect with themselves through their wardrobes, particularly during periods of significant transition.
"It just was so fun and joyful but also super empowering."
"Anna actually restored... my sense of self."
"People recognised it even though I was wearing the same clothes."
"I was standing in them again. As me."