Architects Franco Fiorentini and Frank Marioli share a long history. Both went to the same high school and the same university.

They established F2 (the two Franks) and have been working on master planning, offices, together with high end retail and bespoke houses. They recently completed the Marais fashion store at the top of Bourke Street and Paul Smith's flagship store in Collins Street Melbourne.

Photographer Tom Evangelidis started out in fashion photography, photographing many of London's top models. However, after returning to Sydney, he was drawn to architecture, particularly buildings that have developed a rich patina over time. His interests have taken him to many cities in Eastern Europe, where a building's decay is beautifully captured. Evangelidis also runs the Black Eye Gallery in Darlinghurst, Sydney, where he shows some of the work of leading photographers, including Robyn Beeche.

Interior Designer Fiona Austin, Director of Fiona Austin Designs, enjoys the challenge of renovating and building new homes. Working as an editor for newspapers and housing magazines early in her career, Austin sees the importance of communicating with clients and fulfilling their briefs rather than her own.

A passionate crusader for architect-designed homes from the 1950s and 60s, Austin sees the importance of understanding architecture, together with spacial planning in a home.

Ali Aitkin graduated in fine art at RMIT University. While the program focused on painting, Aikin was drawn to sculpture. Her work, like her studio is quite surreal, with her sculpture almost humanistic in feel. Aitkin, who has received a number of awards over the years, including The Fresh Award from Craft Victoria in 2007.

Architect Emma Young is co-director of Phooey Architects. Phooey Architects have established a reputation for their sustainable homes. They recycle the materials in a building as much as possible. One of their latest projects, a renovation to a terrace house in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, beautifully captures the practice's distinctive signature. The past and present has been thoughtfully interwoven to create a contemporary home for a couple with young children.

Architect and RMIT University Alumnus Peter Maddison is widely known as host of television program Grand Designs Australia. However, Maddison is also an extremely talented architect who was at the helm of raising the bar with cafes in Melbourne from the 1990s. As well as hosting the program, he runs his office, covering projects from hospitality to institutional work-even beach houses.

Artist Jessica Ledwich's photographs have gone viral. Her strong images displaying women in search of 'perfection' have appeared in newspapers and websites around the world. Currently completing her Masters in fine art at RMIT, Ledwich explores new territory with her photographs and extraordinary sculptures.

Alistair Trung studied fashion at the University of Technology in Sydney. Unlike most graduates, Trung established his own label soon after graduating. He has a different take on fashion, summed up by one of the many slogans on his store windows; Fashion Shouldn't Give Women a Nervous Breakdown! A breathe of fresh air in the industry, Trung continues to forge his own path, often collaborating with other fields, such as Opera and Theatre.

Interior Designer Geraldine Maher, is a Principal at Jackson Architecture. Maher, who studied Interior Design at RMIT University, has been at the helm of a number of interesting projects, from Rathdowne Place, Carlton to offices for the High Court in Perth. Geraldine gets as much pleasure working on smaller projects, including the occasional residential fit-out.

Architect Jeremy McLeod established Breathe Architecture in 2001 after working for a couple of large Melbourne practices; SJB Fender Katsalidis.

Keen to start his own practice, with a strong sustainable bent, McLeod has continued to push the architectural boundaries. His latest project, a development of 24 apartments in Brunswick, known as The Commons, is a new direction in apartment living.