If you've been paying attention to fashion in Australia alone lately, you could be forgiven for being unfamiliar with Gillian Wilkins. The new Fashion Director of Russh has been working overseas, in London and New York, for over seven years now, contributing to titles like British Vogue, Dossier and The Last Magazine. Based in London, she's returning to her roots with her Russh appointment, and the gorgeous stylist is very excited to be back.  Russh readers should be excited to have her too, given that as well as being a prodigious talent, she also has the kind of sweet, down-to-earth, indie air about her that is perfectly in tune with the spirit of the title.

She's been doing the shows alongside her editor Jess Blanch, so we decided to pull her aside after the Marni show in Milan to find out her take on the season so far and what she has planned for Russh.

Aside from your new role at Russh, what do you do?
I'm a contributing fashion editor at Vogue and I also freelance and do creative consulting.

What's been your highlight in Milan?
I really loved Jil Sander and I loved the Marni show just then.

What trends have you noticed coming forth this week?
Well the Jazz Age seems pretty prominent everywhere, and a return to femininity, it's all really simple. Nothing too outrageous, it's all really wearable and it relates to a certain woman. It's nice! It feels really fun. Milan doesn't feel like it's taking anything too seriously, all the women around here are just wearing beautiful summery dresses and I'm wearing jeans and I just want to run out and buy a dress so I can feel like more of a woman!

Can you tell me a bit about what you've been doing at Russh since you started and what your plans are?
They made me fashion director a couple of months ago, I just finished my first issue and now I'm on to my second. I guess the fact that I'm Australian made it more appealing to them, and the fact that I've been working in London and New York and  have that international experience helped. I've got those contacts because I've worked with some pretty amazing photographers, for example I've got a shoot coming up with Paolo Roversi which I'm really excited about. So I guess probably what they'll want is for me to bring that international feel to it.

What is your vision for Russh's fashion?
I don't want to reinvent the wheel, I kind of want to keep it really true to the brand as it is, and then really elevate it. Make it have that iconic appeal and work with really amazing new photographers, and try to nurture burgeoning talent so that that becomes part of the backbone of the brand. And keep it really fun!

After so long abroad how does it feel to be returning to an Australian publication?
It's interesting. I'm learning a lot and it's really nice because it's giving me a different perspective. It's like I've got a connection back to home, which is great because I'm really proud to be Australian and the longer I stay away from home the further I feel from that, so it's great to be back in a way. And I love working with Jess, I'm yet to meet the rest of the team but I'm sure I'll love them too!

And what's your favourite thing to do in Milan that's not Fashion Week-y?
This is the second time I've been here, but I just love walking on the streets and getting that perspective for that Italian life, it is very different, there's a different energy and it's beautiful. I think I want to feel like a bit of a local, as much as I can!

Top image: Gillian Wilkins portrait from The Gentlewoman via StyleBubble.