But the mother of two said she only started to feel at home in her new city about 12 months ago. 

"Deep down inside I knew something was missing for me in my own self," Ms Usman said. "I had my house and my family but I didn't feel rooted here."

Ms Usman had studied a Bachelor of Fashion Design at a university in Islamabad in 2008 and had always wanted to work in the field.

But her dream only became a reality when she met Forest Keegel, creative producer at Multicultural Arts Victoria's EMERGE Cultural Hub Bendigo. 

"She helped me to participate in the Chrysalis art exhibition in February last year," she said. "I showcased hand woven cushions, bags and table runners. I also showed my wedding dress, which I had designed."

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With the help of Ms Keegel and a grant from the City of Greater Bendigo, Ms Usman will be showcasing her first women's fashion line at an exhibition at Dudley House from March 14-21.  

Ms Usman said the 'Threads of Diversity' exhibition will feature a variety of different dresses, tops, capes, jackets and tunics. 

The designs highlight her Pakistani roots, with ethnic traditional fabrics like linen and silk used in more modern western cuts and styles.

"It's about bright, vivid colours," she said. "There's also a lot of embellishment, like broaches and buttons. Sometimes it's more prominent and other times it is subtle."

Ms Usman said the exhibition was a "great honour" and a "dream come true". 

"The creative process was hard work but so much fun," she said. "I put my heart and soul into it and I'm really proud of myself and my family are so proud of me.

"This is a proud moment even for my teachers back in Pakistan," she said. "No one has ever launched their brand abroad."

Ms Usman said she was planning to expand her business in the future, with the potential for future exhibitions in Melbourne.

"But Bendigo is home for me now," she said. "There are so many more opportunities here. It is a such a great feeling."

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