Centre Stage to Interior Spaces: Ashleigh’s Creative Career Twist
Not all paths are straight, and sometimes the most fulfilling journeys are the ones that take a few surprising turns.
Ashleigh Hebiton, Class of 2016, once dreamed of treading the boards as a performer. Today, she is thriving in the world of interior design. Her story is one of passion, persistence and the courage to pivot when the script changes.
We caught up with Ashleigh to hear how her time at Santa Maria College shaped her outlook, and how she went from stage lights to stylish lighting design.
From Gap Year to Global Adventures
After graduating from Santa Maria, Ashleigh set her sights on the performing arts. She applied to several courses at WAAPA, but when things didn’t go to plan initially, she took a gap year – working, performing in local theatre, and saving for a solo trip through Europe.
Her travel plans were interrupted, in the best way. She received a surprise call offering her a place at WAAPA in the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Performance Making). For two years, Ashleigh threw herself into intensive, full-time study, growing not only as an artist but as a person.
When One Door Closes, Another (Stylishly Designed) One Opens
Despite loving aspects of the course, Ashleigh found herself questioning if it was the right long-term fit. Trusting her instincts, she made the bold decision to switch to Interior Architecture at Curtin University, a field that also allowed her to express her creativity in tangible ways.
After four years of full-time study and hands-on experience with local firms, Ashleigh graduated with Honours in early 2024. Today, she works as a Client Advisor and Interior Design Associate with The Montauk Lighting Co. and The Modern Traditionalists, where her days are filled with client consultations, showroom styling, and exciting product collaborations.
She even had the chance to attend Maison & Objet in Paris, a world-renowned design fair, which she called “truly unforgettable.”
The Santa Maria Spark
Ashleigh credits Santa Maria College with giving her the confidence to “give things a go”, a mindset that helped her navigate career twists with resilience and self-belief.
“I felt empowered to follow my passions at the time, without worrying too much about the final destination.”
Her fondest memories include countless hours in the school theatre, where Miss Hux modelled the power of empathy and fun in creative environments. She also gives a shout-out to her Years 11 and 12 Design teacher, Miss Brown, who nurtured her technical skills, including the trusty scale ruler she never thought she would use again!
Beyond the 9 to 5
Ashleigh keeps life beautifully balanced. She’s into Reformer Pilates, live performances, reading, and spending quality time with friends and family. And in a fun twist? She’s currently learning Dutch with hopes of living in the Netherlands one day!
Words of Wisdom
If she could give her younger self one piece of advice, it would be this:
“It’s never too early or too late to start something. You are on your own path and only you can decide what the next day brings!”
Ashleigh’s journey is a reminder that success is not about having a set plan; it is about being open to change, backing yourself, and finding joy in unexpected places. Whether she is advising clients, styling showrooms or dreaming in Dutch, Ashleigh continues to embody the qualities Santa Maria nurtures: confidence, creativity and compassion.
Her story is sure to inspire other young women to explore boldly, try new things and trust their own path – whatever direction it takes.
- AlumniSpotlight, CareerChange, Classof2016, CreativeCareers, Featured, InteriorDesignCareer, SantaMariaCollegeAlumni, WAAPA
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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