SOZO SPEAKS: Nadia Mueller
Nadia is a compelling emerging Sydney-based designer, her bloodlines run deep with Swiss determination and Aussie charm.
She avidly explores polarizing concepts in her artistry. She has completed her Bachelor in Fashion and Textiles at UTS and is about to commence her Honours.
Recently we spoke with Nadia about her journey-to-date in this exciting yet challenging industry.
SOZO
Tell us a little bit about yourself, how did you get started on the fashion design path?
NADIA
I’ve always wanted to go into design, I’m still not sure if I want to go into costume design or I want to go down the fashion path. Both are challenging in different ways. I know that’s a terrible answer but the design world has always looked just so fun.
SOZO
Did you choose to study something else before you got into design?
NADIA
Yeah! I was actually studying ancient history before this, because I was like if I want to go into costume design, I want to have an understanding of the characters historical context when I'm designing, however …. I found that the history community was just not my people *laugh*. I guess what's quite central to me as a designer is being an identical twin, my sister isn't at all creative so she doesnt help me in that way but a lot of my style and designs come from trying to form my own identity. Trying to differentiate myself from someone who is so similar to me. I think a lot of what we do as designers is reinterpret, everyone is influenced by someone else and so close to copying one another.
SOZO
What is your design process?
NADIA
Honestly, my process is so chaotic, for me it is about bringing all weird wacky references together that [often] don’t really make sense.
SOZO
Tell us about one of your current projects, what elements are informing this work?
NADIA
This collection that I am working on at the moment is inspired by 1980s domestic life and the process of making jelly. I’m pouring latex into tin floor moulds that resemble kitchen tiles from the 1970s, the final textile being a sheet of latex with this pattern moulded throughout. It’s a very timely process, it comes in a liquid and then you have to paint layer by layer. I really like experimenting….. 90 percent of the time it doesn’t work but you’ve got to try anyway. This latex fabric is placed with vintage floral stretch fabric, tea-dyed trims, and vintage aqua blue moree fabric. There is definitely something there when you are bringing things together that don’t necessarily work like latex and archival fabrics.
SOZO
How would you define your style in a sentence?
NADIA
Chaotic and confused… still curated though *laughs*
SOZO
What are some favourite pieces you’ve designed?
NADIA
To be honest I've only done 3 collections, they're cool but they're not who I am as a designer, it's so hard when you are so young because you don’t want to pigeon hole yourself. You have caught me in the very early stages of my designing process *laughs* I don’t even know what I’m doing 90 percent of the time, it's okay to fail. I really value the people that I surround myself with, I think they are incredible creatives and I definitely value their friendship and their opinions. So that adds to my process as well, the people I surround myself with.
SOZO
In regards to Set Design, do you have a particular process?
NADIA
The set design is where I'm loosely trying to be historically accurate trying to capture a certain mood that I would associate with a historical context. I just want to have fun, for this shoot I wanted to do a birthday party for grandma that no one turned up to… Another project I worked with Ari KC and we built a chaotic 70s satin bedroom with crazy scribbled flowers all over the wall with the same latex jacket. So there always has to be a narrative even if it kind of doesn't fully check out.
SOZO
Something off the beaten track……
NADIA
My sister and I just adopted an old cat that no one wanted and he is named Stinky and yes he is Stinky. But he is literally the most loving cat I have ever met.
SOZO
Who is your dream collaboration with and why?
NADIA
My best friend Maddison Robinson. I'd love to create something with her, she is also a fashion designer. She is an incredible designer who has a completely different style than myself which could produce something unexpected.
SOZO
What would you like to see the fashion industry do differently?
NADIA
I think as designers we are under valued for the amount of skills we have and I don’t think our pay represents what we do. It's such a labour of love but we earn nothing. There are definitely jobs but in a nutshell we are underpaid for what we do.
SOZO
Sozo Amour means “Create Love”, what does create love mean to you?
NADIA
I think for me it's about creating what my passions, loves and obsessions are. I think if you pour all of your love into what you do, it's going to work out. For me love goes into the process.
SOZO
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it fit into your work?
NADIA
I’m OBSESSED with jelly, getting the moulds and making jelly. For a side project I am going to make these jelly flower vases, I’m not sure if it will work but! The idea is, that they will have water in the middle in another jelly ball. I’m obsessed with jelly!
SOZO
What's next for Nadia?
NADIA
Oh my god *laugh* I don’t even know what I’m doing tomorrow. I'm so open to do literally anything, anything creative. If I meet someone and they say hey! Do you want to do this paper mache thing, I'll do it. You just have to say to yourself I am super excited to create anything, whether that be in fashion, costume, or production. So what's next is just meeting more people, collaborating..
NADIA AT HOME
Photographer: @pukbril.s
NADIA AT HOME
Photographer: @pukbril.s