JUNE 2nd, 2025
VOL. 009
Written and published in collaboration with ‘Not Just A Label’ - Read this article online here
Maggie is the face behind MA.GI — a fashion brand featuring sculptural silhouettes and experimental draping techniques to capture the duality of femininity. Through fashion, Maggie strives to create her own fantasy, inspired by high couture, the natural world and everyday life around her. In conversation with her, we discover exactly how Maggie uses her imagination and daily observations to create her intricate collections.
What initially interested you in fashion design? Tell me a little about your story/journey.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion. It’s been a part of my whole life. I grew up in a really artistic family so I was constantly surrounded by creativity, especially from my mum and sister. My sister has always loved fashion, and growing up I would sneak into her room to look through her big fashion books. I remember she had fashion photos all on her walls and I loved all the colours and garments. I look up to my sister and mum as they are so elegant and inspire me so much.
Growing up in this environment translated into developing my brand. I love all kinds of art too, not just fashion - I’m also so interested in illustration and sculpture.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I’m a very observant person. I observe everything in the world around me and every person I see. I’ve always been this way.
My greatest inspiration is just life. I tend to be an over-thinker and find I am always reflecting on the past and memories, I’m very nostalgic in that sense. I think a lot about my feelings and my senses, and I find that this often inspires me creatively.
My other main inspiration is nature and growth. The theme of my thesis collection was rediscovering the vitality in life. I connected this to the behaviour of plants and the importance of growth. I took a lot of inspiration from the roots of plants and the way that life grows and I extended this into textile explorations. I was inspired by the movements and colours of plants, so I experimented with brown and burgundy fabric and hair-like material. Making the connection between hair and plant growth was one of the main themes of this collection.
One of these pieces was a skirt with a large 3D floral piece that grows out of the body. I overlapped 2D and 3D textures and design techniques including silk and needle felting to mimic the growth of plants to create a silhouette that comes to life.
What practical methods do you use to incorporate sustainability into your clothing designs?
One of my favourite looks is an embroidered gown that mirrors the patterns of roots and the earth, and I made this utilising sustainable methodologies and materials.
This was inspired by a class I took at Parsons where I made my own fabric entirely by hand. We were able to choose exactly what material we wanted, so I chose merino wool as it not only connected to my inspirations of plants, hair, and roots, but also is a very environmentally-friendly material. Merino wool is biodegradable and ethically sourced, and since I was making the fabric by hand I had complete control over how much material I used, therefore there was no waste. It’s such an interesting technique and I’d love to stick with it!
Tell me a little about your design process, how do you take a piece from the initial spark of an idea to a completed garment?
I always begin with research. This comes from many different sources such as exhibitions, artists that inspire me, sculptures, colours, and all the life around me. I like to expand my research beyond the realms of just fashion as I find inspiration in everything. Like the other day I was walking on the street just taking photos of all the textures around me.
I begin my creative process here, visiting exhibitions, taking lots of notes and photos. I then take these details into my sketchbook and begin to play around with sketches and silhouettes. Then I move onto draping. I really like to take my time here and have fun, there are so many rules when it comes to draping and I don’t follow any of them! Draping can really bring such a personal touch to the creation of a garment, so I don’t look at any photos when I do it. I like to just focus on myself and my feelings in the moment.
After this process I begin to think about how the piece can be developed into a garment, which comes with more sketching and design development. At this stage I like to explore multiple materials and how I can apply different textures to my fabric.
My main (and favourite) technique is hand-sewing. I'm a person who tends to rush a lot in life, I walk very fast and don’t often take the time to slow down. Hand-sewing is the only thing that really calms me down and allows me to focus on creating something patiently. I love the peace that sewing brings me.
How does your design philosophy connect to themes of feminism and female-strength?
My designs are often based around women and feminism. I love to create flowy, feminine silhouettes and I experiment a lot with draping. This elegant style connects to the softer side of femininity. I then like to contrast this by incorporating stiffer and harder materials to showcase the strength of women. In some of my looks I have used stiff mesh to create a sculptural look that also captures gentle movement. This technique intends to capture the duality of femininity; the softness and the strength.
How much of yourself and personal-style is reflected in your work? Is there an overlap or are they two separate worlds?
I’d say the only overlap between the two in the colours I use when designing. Other than that, my creations are a separate world to my everyday style. I like to view my work as a fantasy world where I can explore and create things that I wouldn't wear in my day-to-day life. The crazy colours and shapes that I create come from my imagination and exist in a separate world. Fashion design is an opportunity for me to create whatever I picture in my head that I wouldn’t wear in my daily life.
What are you currently working on and what are your goals for your brand?
I’m currently working on my next collection, which is a couture collection that I’m hoping to launch during fashion week this year.
My style is not typically couture, but I’ve always had a huge interest in it. Oscar De La Renta is a huge inspiration to me as I admire the tiny attention-to-detail and intricate design that goes into creating huge gowns. It is such a big process and takes a lot of dedication. It also incorporates lots of hand-work and sewing.
I’m eager to dive into this world and make it my own. I want to add my own personal flare and create couture pieces but in an edgy way.
My brand goal is to build a memorable image and character. I want to cater to my target audience and create garments that not only satisfy them, but myself too!
What initially interested you in fashion design? Tell me a little about your story/journey.
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion. It’s been a part of my whole life. I grew up in a really artistic family so I was constantly surrounded by creativity, especially from my mum and sister. My sister has always loved fashion, and growing up I would sneak into her room to look through her big fashion books. I remember she had fashion photos all on her walls and I loved all the colours and garments. I look up to my sister and mum as they are so elegant and inspire me so much.
Growing up in this environment translated into developing my brand. I love all kinds of art too, not just fashion - I’m also so interested in illustration and sculpture.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I’m a very observant person. I observe everything in the world around me and every person I see. I’ve always been this way.
My greatest inspiration is just life. I tend to be an over-thinker and find I am always reflecting on the past and memories, I’m very nostalgic in that sense. I think a lot about my feelings and my senses, and I find that this often inspires me creatively.
My other main inspiration is nature and growth. The theme of my thesis collection was rediscovering the vitality in life. I connected this to the behaviour of plants and the importance of growth. I took a lot of inspiration from the roots of plants and the way that life grows and I extended this into textile explorations. I was inspired by the movements and colours of plants, so I experimented with brown and burgundy fabric and hair-like material. Making the connection between hair and plant growth was one of the main themes of this collection.
One of these pieces was a skirt with a large 3D floral piece that grows out of the body. I overlapped 2D and 3D textures and design techniques including silk and needle felting to mimic the growth of plants to create a silhouette that comes to life.
What practical methods do you use to incorporate sustainability into your clothing designs?
One of my favourite looks is an embroidered gown that mirrors the patterns of roots and the earth, and I made this utilising sustainable methodologies and materials.
This was inspired by a class I took at Parsons where I made my own fabric entirely by hand. We were able to choose exactly what material we wanted, so I chose merino wool as it not only connected to my inspirations of plants, hair, and roots, but also is a very environmentally-friendly material. Merino wool is biodegradable and ethically sourced, and since I was making the fabric by hand I had complete control over how much material I used, therefore there was no waste. It’s such an interesting technique and I’d love to stick with it!
Tell me a little about your design process, how do you take a piece from the initial spark of an idea to a completed garment?
I always begin with research. This comes from many different sources such as exhibitions, artists that inspire me, sculptures, colours, and all the life around me. I like to expand my research beyond the realms of just fashion as I find inspiration in everything. Like the other day I was walking on the street just taking photos of all the textures around me.
I begin my creative process here, visiting exhibitions, taking lots of notes and photos. I then take these details into my sketchbook and begin to play around with sketches and silhouettes. Then I move onto draping. I really like to take my time here and have fun, there are so many rules when it comes to draping and I don’t follow any of them! Draping can really bring such a personal touch to the creation of a garment, so I don’t look at any photos when I do it. I like to just focus on myself and my feelings in the moment.
After this process I begin to think about how the piece can be developed into a garment, which comes with more sketching and design development. At this stage I like to explore multiple materials and how I can apply different textures to my fabric.
My main (and favourite) technique is hand-sewing. I'm a person who tends to rush a lot in life, I walk very fast and don’t often take the time to slow down. Hand-sewing is the only thing that really calms me down and allows me to focus on creating something patiently. I love the peace that sewing brings me.
How does your design philosophy connect to themes of feminism and female-strength?
My designs are often based around women and feminism. I love to create flowy, feminine silhouettes and I experiment a lot with draping. This elegant style connects to the softer side of femininity. I then like to contrast this by incorporating stiffer and harder materials to showcase the strength of women. In some of my looks I have used stiff mesh to create a sculptural look that also captures gentle movement. This technique intends to capture the duality of femininity; the softness and the strength.
How much of yourself and personal-style is reflected in your work? Is there an overlap or are they two separate worlds?
I’d say the only overlap between the two in the colours I use when designing. Other than that, my creations are a separate world to my everyday style. I like to view my work as a fantasy world where I can explore and create things that I wouldn't wear in my day-to-day life. The crazy colours and shapes that I create come from my imagination and exist in a separate world. Fashion design is an opportunity for me to create whatever I picture in my head that I wouldn’t wear in my daily life.
What are you currently working on and what are your goals for your brand?
I’m currently working on my next collection, which is a couture collection that I’m hoping to launch during fashion week this year.
My style is not typically couture, but I’ve always had a huge interest in it. Oscar De La Renta is a huge inspiration to me as I admire the tiny attention-to-detail and intricate design that goes into creating huge gowns. It is such a big process and takes a lot of dedication. It also incorporates lots of hand-work and sewing.
I’m eager to dive into this world and make it my own. I want to add my own personal flare and create couture pieces but in an edgy way.
My brand goal is to build a memorable image and character. I want to cater to my target audience and create garments that not only satisfy them, but myself too!