To celebrate art, fashion, culture and community, we invited the creative Fabric of Auckland and beyond to collaborate on a mural for our Britomart store. Each artwork is now on display at FABRIC and shares the tapestry of our last 20 years.
A story of the people and ideas that have come to define FABRIC. Read on to discover more from our artists, covering everything from inspiration and their most iconic fashion moments.
Photography: Artist supplied.
Q: Please share a little bit about yourself and your work - an artist bio.
Ophelia: My name is Ophelia. I am a painter and photographer. I live in Northland with my husband, Ryder and our new son.
Q: What is your most iconic fashion moment?
Ophelia: When I wore a wedding dress to my high school ball... I think after four sons I think my mum was down to buy a dress of any description.
Q: Your must have FABRIC item in your Wishlist?
Ophelia: I love Sunspel. I think I would choose the Ribbed Henley in Cashew for when the sun goes down. Also, it looks like it could be good for breastfeeding which is a fashion must at the moment!
Q: How do you stay inspired?
Ophelia: I walk a lot at the beach or on our land. We love to grow things- flowers and fruit. These things inspire me and make me feel alive.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Ophelia: Do what you love and the rest will follow.
Q: Where are you travelling to first when our borders open?
Ophelia: The first place we would love to take our son to is the island Ryder where born, Kaua'i.
Photography: Artist supplied.
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Statement for Artwork: ‘The aim of this illustration was to show the simple power of connection, of collective intentions and effort - community in all it’s quiet glory.’ |
Photography: Artist supplied.
Q: Please share a little bit about yourself and your work - an artist bio.
Josh: I’m Josh… I make music, I act in and make film and tv, I enjoy to paint and sketch, I write in various forms, and sometimes I drive trucks and teach people how to throw a punch
Q: What is your most iconic fashion moment?
Josh: My hand picked outfits from about 3 - 8 years old that my Mum loved. I strive to rediscover that confidence and uninhibited joy.
Q: How would you say fashion and art intertwine - do you think they are important to one another?
Josh: Art and fashion are very broad terms, but I think the two can be important and comparable, but aren’t crucial, to one another…I guess it depends on the intention of the artist/wearer - function or expression or effect. My favourite pieces of art and clothing strike up a balance of the three with the tip of the triangle being personal expression; the function and effect supporting whatever that expression is.
A good example of the intersection of the two for me personally is through my work in film as both an actor and a creator, where costume is an integral part (one of many) to developing a character and a world; so fashion then becomes very important in informing the film or series as a work of art.
Sometimes how an artist presents themselves can give more context to their art. Nick Cave and Johnny Cash are two of my favourite examples of that.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
Josh: Trying to avoid cynicism and judgment; favouring curiosity and humility. Being grateful - even for things that upfront seem shithouse.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Josh: Consistency works. Be your own role model.
Q: Where are you travelling to first when our borders open?
Josh: Home
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Statement for Artwork: The joy of nothing. Love can be simplicity. |
Photography: Artist supplied.
Mahsa wears Gentleman Trouser / Charcoal by Mahsa.
Q: Please share a bit about yourself and your work - an artist bio.
Mahsa: Founded in 2015, Mahsa Label is an evolving reflection of my experience of the beauty and imperfection of life. Imbued with values of simplicity, authenticity, and strength, the brand is timeless and sustaining. Mahsa has a forever mainline, and every two years, Mahsa drops a new mood. Mahsa presents a slower fashion model, proudly made in New Zealand, whose brand identity is built around a Mid C bush hut in Titirangi, Auckland. Mahsa Label is six years old this coming Dec ’21.
Q: What is your most iconic fashion moment?
Mahsa: Challenging for me to say, Tin might know - she and I have been FABRIC collaborators from way back. But, I cannot go wrong with a Comme des Garçons wallet update, scent, or new pair of blue jeans, Levi's lately. I love Margaret Howell for men.
Q: Your must have FABRIC item on your Wishlist?
Mahsa: The Merino Camel Knit / Porridge by Totême + Baina towels.
Q: How would you say fashion and art intertwine - do you think they are essential to one another?
Mahsa: Fashion and life are important - life inspires my creative profess, and living is an art form. i.e. Waking up and making coffee becomes part of your creative process - along with an enveloping white shirt and yesterday's perfume. These things inspire me, and not in a pretentious sense - I truly value the way they make me feel.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
Mahsa: I meditate, I read, I love, and most recently, surf. I also practice taking pressure off myself - letting go often creates a lot of magic.
Q: Best advice you've ever been given?
Mahsa: To manage your mind and feel your feelings.
Q: Where are you travelling to first when our borders open?
Mahsa: Wherever my whānau are: Raglan, East Cape, Otama Beach; and when the world opens I would like to go surfing somewhere warm, where the food is good.
Photography: Artist supplied.
Q: Please share a little bit about yourself and your work - an artist bio.
Max: I'm Max, I use 3D software to make images.
Q: What is your most iconic fashion moment?
Max: My most iconic fashion moment is buying a pair of Reebok Instapumps 6 years ago and still wearing them.
Q: Your must have FABRIC item in your Wishlist?
Max: Must have FABRIC item would be CdG Homme hoodie.
Q: How would you say fashion and art intertwine - do you think they are important to one another?
Max: Fashion and art intertwine for sure, fashion is art. I always like to have a very bad graphic tee in my wardrobe.
Q: How do you stay inspired?
Max: I stay inspired by reading big books and collecting bugs from the ground.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Max: The best advice I've ever been given is to go to bed early.
Q: Where are you travelling to first when our borders open?
Max: When the borders open up I'd like to go to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Max wears CDG Shirt X ASICS Tarther / Blue by Comme des Garcons SHIRT.
