Designer Barbara Mickelson of BMdesigns, makes comfortable, creative and highly individual headwear. She is also passionate about vintage headwear, especially from the 40s and 50s when fashion was all about style, grace and performance.
Barbara has competed and won awards in wearable art competitions in Australia and New Zealand and has twice presented her creations on stage at the prestigious International World of Wearable Art event in Wellington.
Barbara designs and makes vintage-inspired pieces in hand dyed silk, silk velvet and vintage fabrics with vintage buttons, ribbon and lace. She constructs pieces with blocked shapes cut to the moment and wired, which means she can manipulate them and fine-tune them to fit an individual head fitting. Barbara then covers the pieces in fabric and trims accordingly. BMdesigns’ fabrics are hand dyed a headpiece can be created to match any outfit.
Q. Thinking back on 2013, what goals have you achieved that you are most proud of?
That would have to be deciding to apply to be part of Fashfest 2014. I unfortunately wasn’t able to be in the first event but was present on the final night and was so impressed by the show that I decided there and then that I HAD to be involved. This goal I am proud to say has been achieved.
Q. What is on the agenda for BMdesigns in 2014?
I will be concentrating on making BMdesigns more a part of the growing Canberra fashion and design community. As I already do a lot of fabric dying I will be experimenting with many more methods and techniques to expand my possibilities for even more creative pieces of headwear, clothing and accessories. My large creative pieces look unmanageable to wear, but they’re actually light and fit for comfort.
Q. What does it mean to you to be participating as a designer in FASHFEST 2014?
Fashfest is the biggest joint venture ever held in Canberra and BMdesigns can only grow as a label by being involved. It will give me the opportunity as a designer to network among all the professionals associated with the event. I will enjoy being one of the designers showcasing the amazing diversity of Fashion available in the nation’s capital.
A few just for fun:
Q. I would love to travel to Ireland because I am of Irish descent and it looks beautiful and full of history and amazing places to see.
Q. My heaven on earth is My home in the bush with my partner. Peace and quiet to design and create.
Q. If I could have one thing in the whole world it would be more time and money to travel becauseI love exploring other cultures and history.
Q. My favorite designer is Vivienne Westwood because she has always been my ideal as a designer and she explores the history of fashion which I also enjoy.
Q. The greatest risk I ever took was when I quit a very secure job to retire and traveled to France for three months. While there I competed and exhibited at an international hat festival at Caussade.
BMdesigns will be appearing on the Fashfest catwalk for the first time TONIGHT and her collection promises to be very exciting!
Canberra Airport
www.fashfest.com.au
