Olivia Holmquist - ny textil generation.

Olivia, a Textile Management student from the University of Borås who is spending a semester abroad in Melbourne, Australia. From navigating a new city and meeting unfamiliar housemates to discovering Melbourne’s vibrant coffee culture and unpredictable weather, she shares her experiences, routines, and dreams for the future. Dive in to learn more about her life down under and the adventures that have shaped her stay.

What’s your favorite drink in Melbourne?

Coffee, of course! Melbourne is the Mecca of coffee — the city is full of cool coffee bars, and you can never get enough. I mostly drink Flat White, which actually originated here in Melbourne. It’s like a cappuccino, but without the foam, just milk — that’s why it’s called “flat.” But once, when I was on my way to school, I needed something stronger, and they recommended a “Magic.” It’s like a Flat White but with only half as much milk.

What’s your favourite drink in Melbourne?

Coffee, of course! Melbourne is the Mecca of coffee — the city is full of cool coffee bars, and you can never get enough. I mostly drink Flat White, which actually originated here in Melbourne. It’s like a cappuccino, but without the foam, just milk — that’s why it’s called “flat.” But once, when I was on my way to school, I needed something stronger, and they recommended a “Magic.” It’s like a Flat White but with only half as much milk.

What does a typical day in Melbourne look like?

I wake up early and go to Pilates every morning — I go to a place called Core Plus. Then I go home and have breakfast before heading to school. After school, I usually go to a café to study. In the evening, I meet up with my friends and we usually go to a bar.

Why Pilates?

It’s so good — it’s strength training on a mat or in special Pilates machines. It’s mostly girls and a great atmosphere with music. You train your whole body, both the smaller and larger muscle groups, without feeling completely exhausted afterwards.

What’s the weather like in Melbourne?

When I got here in July, it was the middle of their winter. It was so cold! It rained all the time and was around 13 degrees during the day and down to 2 degrees at night. The insulation is poor, and it’s freezing indoors, so I was cold all the time. Now it’s spring and much warmer, although the weather can change a lot in one day. In Melbourne, you can experience all four seasons in a single day.

Which Wool Rebel clothes work best?

I use the Awassi jacket a lot. It’s great when it’s cold but doesn’t get too warm when the temperature rises during the day. I’ve also worn the Tedd jacket 24/7, especially indoors since it has been so cold. I also brought both the Awassi and the Tedd jackets on a trip to New Zealand. There was snow and below-zero temperatures there, so I was really lucky to have them with me.

What did you do in New Zealand?
We were a big group of friends who went there during our school break. We rented vans and traveled around the entire South Island. We hiked and went skiing. Sometimes there was so much snow that the roads were closed — they don’t have winter tires, they just put chains on the wheels when driving up into the mountains. The nature is magical and the skiing is amazing!

What do you want to do after your studies ?

 I want to help change the textile industry and work with sustainability in some way. I took part in Biolyftet before starting university, and it made me realise how important it is to change the way things are done. That’s what made me choose Textile Management. A lot is happening in the field, but there is still so much left to do.

Top three things in Melbourne you shouldn’t miss?

1. All the coffee bars, especially one called Higher Ground — there you should try a coffee called Mount Blanc.

2. The neighborhood where I lived, called Fitzroy. It’s super cozy with weekend markets and lots of small shops, bars, and restaurants.

3. And the third tip is to head out to Brighton Beach, with the ocean, the village, and the colourful bathing boxes on the beach.