My design objective is rooted in music and art. In today's world, algorithms often shape our preferences for music and movies, leaving little room for content with a genuine human touch. While every moment is captured on our smartphones, we often miss out on truly experiencing these moments in our pursuit of social media validation. Paradoxically, the more we are connected digitally, the more we can feel alone, and lost in the virtual world.
The cassette tape serves as a stark example of the lack of ownership in today's music landscape. We pay for streaming services, yet we don't truly own the music. In contrast, with a cassette tape, we pay for a physical object and develop a special connection with the music, akin to a direct link with the artist.
This trend also holds true in the fashion industry. The more exclusive the range, the more it tends to be underground and niche. The deeper the niche, the more avant-garde and groundbreaking it becomes. This approach doesn't cater to mass-market demands, stray from overwhelming deadlines, or adhere to trade show schedules. It's all about doing what you love. Over time, a small but discerning audience will recognize and appreciate your unique vision and style. To captivate any audience, one must exude depth and history.
From breakdancing to working on film sets, doing what I love most, graffiti, to the commercial success of Future Art Beat 4 as an art collective. From forming the underground Sydney hip-hop crew West Side Posse to Sound Unlimited's live set at the Aria Awards and topping the Australian pop charts.
It has been a journey of movement, imagery, sound, and volume. This journey has introduced me to new colours, dimensions, values, and a deep understanding of the essence of sub-culture.
The type of art I'm drawn to falls somewhere between Pop Art and Graffiti. In my early days of painting, I was inspired by artists like Futura 2000, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons, as well as Early Russian Socialist Realism.
Currently, I'm inspired by a diverse group of artists and activists such as Ai Weiwei, Adam Cullen, Dr. Cornel West, Howard Arkley, Pussy Riot, Julian Assange, and many others. Art plays a significant role in shaping society. Science and politics are essential elements in an artist’s expression. To truly understand what it means to be human in the 21st century, we must
comprehend the geopolitical dynamics of our world and the technological possibilities of the future. AI can help visualise an idea in seconds, which took days to achieve.
To start a fashion label is to create a subculture movement. It must have an original tone of voice, a creative vision for style, and a beat to dance to! In other words, it is a subculture to identify with and represent in a complete package of visual poetry.
In my fashion designs, elements such as art, music, and politics are essential to the concept. The first concept is MFGA - Decadence. Currently, world politics are undergoing a significant shift with the rise of Trump, potentially signalling an end to politics and history as we know it. Much like Marcel Duchetyyamp’s ‘The Fountain’ marked an ‘end to art’, the future President’s 24K gold toilet symbolises an ‘end to history’ It's important to remember that Rome was once a republic before the rise of demigods and emperors. The ‘GOLD Poo’ emoji is perfect both as a political forecast and a metaphor for the ‘end of history’.
Gold serves as a prominent symbol of opulence, an intrinsic element of elegance and grace, which collectively embody the essence of "Beauty." Within beauty lies the concept of "Desire." My pursuit in fashion design is to evoke this "Desire," infused with a touch of playful irreverence, drawing inspiration from the Qi dynasty's official court attire. This attire, originating from the Han Chinese, was created as a satirical jest aimed at the Manchu rulers during the 18th century. For instance, during acts of obeisance to the emperor, the adorned headwear resembled the rear of a horse, while the cuffs were designed to parallel the hooves of the animal.
In the latest development range, the striking hue of gold reigns supreme in the palette. With the aid of AI technology, the majestic golden vision was swiftly brought to life.
Upon completion of further research and development, the design has progressed to the construction and materialisation stage. Gold is a commanding element, symbolising a statement piece, while the seamlessly flowing organic forms epitomise a future-oriented manifestation of high-fashion elegance.
