Modella Creative: Designing with Insight & Intention

We recently sat down with the wonderful Molly of Modella Creative to talk about the new and more intentional era of her business and how her love for textiles, combined with her education and experience has led her to her latest offerings.

DIVING IN WITH MOLLY…

I’ve always been drawn to textiles as a whole, whether it’s in fashion, in art, in homewares or interior design; I see it as a fantastic way to be expressive by showing off personal style or telling a story through colour, texture and shape. Throughout my education I was always attracted to using textile practices as my way of making art, from weaving and embroidery, to screenprinting and sewing. It felt like a really physical way of expressing an idea and I always found that the act of ‘doing’ was a very meditative practice. 

By completing a double degree in Arts and Graphic Design, I was able to explore textile art as a creative form of self expression, whilst simultaneously learning the technical skills that build all great Graphic Designers. I thought ‘I’m going to climb that corporate ladder doing something that I love’. And as someone who went through school being told that ‘you can’t earn money in the arts’, I was very determined to prove that dated theory wrong.

Lucky for me, the perfect job came along that combined both those passions and skills; and looking back, I think that was one of the most informative and influential times of my career. 

I was working full time for the swimwear giant, Budgy Smuggler. We were a small but mighty design team, creating surface designs for swimwear, interacting with businesses big and small to create custom, wearable art - what a dream! I participated in partnerships with name brands like NRL, Hydralyte, W Hotels, WAFL and Universal Studios; learning all of the legalities of copyright law and royalties, and most of all, how to turn around concept designs ASAP! 

But the times I learnt the most was when I was immersed in the production process. Getting the inside scoop on how the print team preferred files to be setup and delivered, witnessing the labor intensive process that is Sublimation printing; with hot press machinery, rolling paper over fabric to transfer the design; garments being hand cut as a 10cm thick stack with a vertical saw-like instrument and witnessing how the people sewing moved through a fluid system of sewing machines, each specialising in a particular technique. 

Being able to witness first hand how garments are produced from start to finish, and playing my own little role in this process, was the most impactful influence for the designer I am today.

I have since strived to create with compassion and consideration for all those who follow me in the production line, because I’ve seen first hand how hard they work. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AND INSPIRATION

I’m constantly inspired by my peers in the industry; fellow graphic designers motivate me to experiment with different techniques or update my skills; clients and entrepreneurs spark excitement for the next new thing we get to create; and makers who have been sewing, printing or cutting for decades remind me how far hard work in a creative industry can get you. The design philosophy at Modella Creative is that our work is always considered and collaborative. My role in textile design is to bring a client's idea to life and the best way to do that successfully is to work with them collaboratively and maintain consideration for the different systems and people in the production process. 

WHAT MAKES YOUR WORK UNIQUE?

With years of first hand experience, insider knowledge and connections to local manufactures, I have a unique set of skills and insights that really help set us up for success. I strive to educate my clients by passing on everything I’ve learnt behind the scenes and aim to give them the tools that will help get the best results. 

As a hobby sewists, I truly understand what goes into making a garment; whether it's the fabric choice to best suit the function of the product, creating simple systems for a successful flow through the production timelines, or having a complete understanding understanding of the construction process, giving me greater insights into how to transform flat, 2D designs into wearable pieces that make sense.

NOTEWORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

Gali Swimwear - David Jones Fashion Show 2023 & 2024
The Indigenous Show for Fashion Week Australia
https://www.instagram.com/p/DERn01vodf-/?img_index=1
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7zzrm5yB3D/

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MOLLY

On Instagram @modellacreative , via email at modella.creative@gmail.com, or online at https://www.modellacreative.com/