all the cards begin to stack up.

the truth is, i'm finally ready to move on. in every sense of the statement. life is traveling a hundred miles an hour right now and i'm overwhelmed and abit nervous. but more so excited. i've decided that i will have to pick up the bridal projects again if i want to live comfortably in the new chapter i'm beginning. but in saying that, i'm not going to say yes to clients with 'budgets'. bridal wear is strictly business and that's exactly how i'm going to treat it. 

these are exciting times ahead. wait for it to unfold.

suit versus.

WARNING: may cause headache and nausea. 

a scattered blueprint of what will come this 2013.

the making of...

we're now streaming on YouTube. keep updated through Facebook and Google+ for more of Maiden's concept ideas, progress and general state of mind...

art, the life we chose.

i began 2012 with my annual trip back to Manila, where i met a couple of strange looking designers dressed in all black. then and there i knew the year would bring me to different corners of the world where i would keep crossing paths with such creative and interesting creatures. this is just a post to toast those who have played a huge part in my life, personally and creatively. i've always been considered the 'weird' one in my social groups, and now i have grown close to a handful of other dreamers i can be weird with! each of you should know who you are and know the impact you have had on me this past year. so this is my thank you for 2012. 

this year more than any year, i have felt the passing of time and social age gaps. so i’ve decided that the new year will welcome a shift in Maiden Threads. enter: ABSENCE OFCOLOUR: curated by Maiden. this new project is basically a continuation of the Friends of Maiden exhibition we held mid this year. where i collated things of interest to share with like minded individuals, enthusiasts, artists, designers and creative’s. it will be much like a visual diary of progression for the rebirth of a more refined label, not just of clothing but a lifestyle. through Maiden i was able to somewhat educate people about their unseen surroundings regarding the industry and art scene, and through AOC i want to showcase a collection of design elements, techniques and concepts that undermines the traditional way of perceiving objects.

i will still run the Maiden Threads blog, as it will just act as a personal blog. but i am looking to push this concept further than i did with Maiden, as i feel it is critical to go back to the roots of design and craftsmanship to broaden the understanding of art itself.

so Maidens, it is completely your decision whether you follow us into our next chapter with [ABSENCE OF COLOUR]. we will hopefully see you in the new year for exciting projects and events!
m a i e :)xx 

catching the dreamers disease.

i wrote out a list in my head as to what i wanted out of this year. one by one i’m crossing it off, and bit by bit i’m adding to it. if you have read any of my past posts or know me personally, you would know what this particular date marks. i dread this time of year, but this September it’s all going to change. life has definitely been altered in the past two years, so this post is dedicated to every single person that has had some kind of influence on me and my big dreams. still learning to let go of things that hold me back, but i’m hoping this trip will help me break bad habits. in all honesty, i’m scared shitless and i’m still unsure about things i want to do when on the other side of the earth. i guess we’ll just play it by ear and make the most of each situation. friends, please don’t worry about me, i’m in charge and take responsibility for all my actions. this is about me, not him. no need to hold anything against the ones who have treated me less than i deserve in the past. i have a greater ability to love than i do to despise them. i’ll let go when i’m ready. 

so i open my sketchbook to a new page and re-focus my lenses on a world waiting for me and my friend Machi. i’m stamping the world like i said i would. first stop Tokyo.

maie xx 

so now i am owed this...

…one self indulgent tirade.

the countdown to another anticipated event of my year has well and truly begun. i don’t know what i’m most excited about. the craziness of the Japanese, the pristine style of London, the French men, or the lifestyle of the Yanks.

this trip was not designed for soul searching, but more for me to broaden my  spectrum and take advantage of this new outlook on life that has been introduced to me. i know a lot of people will be worried about my well being when i step out into the big bad world, and i love them for it. but i will be ok. i may be naïve, but i am more curious than anything. i will be doing all the things i loved doing here, but instead, out there where i am unrestricted and unknown to the world. with no pre-conceived opinions and expectations. i cannot promise that i will mingle with the locals, but i have every intent of capturing stills of the streets in every city i step into, drawing each line to perfection, scribbling thoughts that may or may not be written under the influence, and last but not least styling the shit out of each outfit i wear out! after all, i am only heading out to the fashion capitals of the world! i will absorb each culture and let the creative juices seep through my imperfect skin. where i will then regurgitate all that and plate it up for you in a form of a book and a new collection.

now on another note, which still has some relevance to this post. i have somewhat become an example of a ‘break up warhorse’ not sure why but it happened to be that way. i bring this up now because i am watching a sibling go through the stages. all i can say on this matter is, i don’t need anymore awesome ‘friendships’ with guys. i already have a great collection of friends. #fuckyourinsecurities

the darkest element.

today my colleague and i dressed a few mannequins on the young fashion level at work. the only briefing and direction we received from H.O was to go black and minimal. instinctively i had a big grin on my face. i started off with a black mesh bra and ended up with this, the “Widows” as we are now referring them to. as we were wheeling the mannequins onto the shop floor, one sales assistant commented, “omg that looks scary, she looks like a cancer patient” – enter// shit dumb girls say. rather horrified by the sight of my model, i turned around and replied “a burns victim actually!”. not to offend or mock anyone. but things that are not straight out of the ‘on trend’ catalogue is quickly scrutinised and categorised as ugly. especially here in Sydney where fashion is nothing more than a carbon copy of what the next person is wearing. think about this when you next step into your local hipster store, you are actually getting ‘styling tips’ from a 15 year old, with the kind flattering gesture of being called babe. real trendy at  the most.
but other than that one comment and several strange looks from children and elderly women, this has all been taken as a compliment. disturbing the public is more satisfying than giving the customers a traditional DJ’s store experience.

 on another note here are a few shots of my Ksubi window from a couple of months back. again, a look that i am completely comfortable with and enjoy styling. i dream of styling for these kids, or better yet, design for them. so Ksubi boys - get at me!

Friends of Maiden: the opening night.

if you happened to be hiding under a rock last Thursday night, this is what you missed out on. but lucky for you the exhibition doesn't end until the 9th July. so go on, support your local artists!

gallery 2 at Gaffa.

did i promise you something i couldn't keep?

this thing right here began almost 4 years ago to the day. and we're celebrating that in a form of an exhibition. enter: Friends of Maiden. 

i have an array of friends who have very different outlooks on life, love and everything in between. on one side i have the realists, and on the other, the dreamers. i find myself floating somewhere in the middle, exactly where i want to be. 

the Awakening is somewhat my comeback collection, as i feel i have been neglecting the true essence of the label Maiden by taking on other side projects. as apparent as it may seem, this collection did not derive from a dark place. the title suggests, a rebirth, or coming to a realisation of. which in this case, reminding myself that 'i will design' (dezain shimasu, as my ink reads).

the images are dark and twisted, and i wouldn't have it any other way. but i promise you, these pieces i have put hours of work into are nothing less than unconventional. 

see you at the show...

friends of maiden: Machiko Motoi.

where i am.

wehere i'm going.

"MACHIKOmotoi's first ceramic collection is an honest representation of the moment.

The pieces are left unfired exposing the raw material and leaving them in their fragile state.

A drop of water can soften the surface... they are incomplete, vulnerable and comically inconsistent.

This is the moment of her ceramic practise that is growing with passion and determination.

The paintings have been made with hope to compliment the ceramic pieces.

This is where she is. This is where she's going."

Machiko is a dear friend i met through work, back in 2010. i clearly remember wanting to be good friends with her because i believe that the Japs are one of the coolest beings on this planet! haha, true story. being in Machi's apartment feels like you've just stepped into her own personal gallery. and i love it. i admire this girl's passion for art, social skills, and the fact that she looks like Jane Lane from Daria. did i mention that i'm going on an inspirational trip with this girl? drawing, capturing and discovering the world in all its 'ugliness'. the perfect person to share this journey with. bring. it. on!!

friends of maiden: Francisco Vernal.

 "Drawing is the only logical path for myself.

From when I scribbled it as a boy, till now and will continue to be.

This is a preview of what is to come from my minds eye."

out of all the artists in this show, Francisco would be the first one i crossed paths with (back in '97). but the thing is, i wasn't really aware of his talent until we re-met over a decade down the track. i have no idea what his piece for the exhibition looks like, so i'm crazy excited to finally see it in exactly a month's time. and it just so happens that it's my dear amigo's birthday today :) i adore this creature very much, for his energy, good company and positive guidance. he's like a wizard, a hippie, a nomad, and a giraffe all rolled into one. happy birthday my Chihiro!

where you want to be.

i want to make things look awesome, for the rest of my life. that is all :)

the summoning.

look what i have in the palm of my hands. freshly delivered. keep an eye out for the Friends of Maiden invite in an awesome hub near you, find us in and around town! or tag along on the official FB invite here.

friends of maiden: OS Accessories.

OS, a street accessory brand by multidisciplinary creatives AJ Omandac and Paul Jatayna in Manila, Philippines, revolves around the versatility of polyurethane bone reproduction as accessories. Raw and edgy, OS produces painstakingly handcrafted necklaces, bracelets, harnesses, and caps that are completely wearable -- giving your personal style some teeth.

not quite sure how i came across this label, but i'm crazy grateful that i did. not only do i own some bone pieces in my family of suicide wristwear, but i got the chance to meet and dine with the kids behind the wicked label back in February on my visit to the homeland.

what was meant to be a quick trade turned into an unexpectedly fun night over sushi and endless conversation! naturally, i cliqued with these two guys straight away. i honestly, for the first time in my life felt like i belonged and didn't feel self conscious. we all got to know each other pretty well in a course of a few hours. they've only been at it for a year or so, and they're already spreading their osseous matter crazily over in Japan! i adore these two for their humbleness, off-centred nature, their love of black and daringness to dream big! here's how they came about...

insert title here | OS designer (& founder)    

age | 22, 26

how did the both of you come together to create OS?

[AJ & Paul]: A trip to Baguio. We were walking along Session Road when we saw a snake spine - real one. We tried to wear it & wrap it around a regular Topman metal chain necklace & surprisingly it looked so good.

what were your inspirations behind this bone collection?

[AJ & Paul]: Initially we wanted to combine metal & bones. Now we want to experiment with combining bones with leather, or acid, or whatever that looks good with it.

what have been your biggest achievements to date?

[Paul]: I finally created my own fashion brand!

[AJ]: Creating something that moves (sells!) haha. A brand that we (I) totally believe in and could represent Philippine creativity.

describe your "style".[Paul]: I get inspired with anything 90's. I love the music, the fashion, the culture...[AJ]: I don't think I have a personal fashion style. Maybe in design or art I like natural, organic & something macabre.

were you outcasts in school?

[Paul]: Very much but I always hung out with other "outcasts" so I don't feel alone.

[AJ]: Yes! I was the fattest kid in school haha! And back then I was in the closet, so that probably outcasted me more.

FASHION is...[Paul]: more fun now because kids like me are into trying to create something new.[AJ]: a lifestyle, not just clothes & fashion accessories.

plug your label here:                                www.os-accessories.com

fall face first.

 if this is anything to go by, this exhibition will be nothing less than unconventional.
get excited, something wicked is coming around the bend.

friends of Maiden: Gin Francis.

Been fascinated with art pretty much all my life. Grew up with aspirations of becoming an animator and had a big passion for drawing. After high school, was very indecisive about going to uni so decided to just teach myself different things as long as it involved art: from dancing, visual arts, multimedia and now photography. Passion for photography stemmed from trying out an alternative way of portraying people as I felt that I was quite limited in doing so with drawing. Photography gave me much more freedom when it came to help convey my creative side and ideas.Took a chance and invested in my first camera end of 07. I love working with people, which is why my main focus is portraiture. I rarely use flash. I enjoy working with available light and always see it as a challenge in doing so.

My aim is to have my photos differ, yet at the same time still retain a certain style. I post process my work, with the goal of complimenting them rather than abusing them. 

 I always go by this saying from photographer Rodney Smith:
"choose photography for love rather than for fame, fortune and glory."

i met Gin through a shoot i styled for last year, which was used for Create Cosmetics online portfolio.
i chose him to join the circle of artists because his dark comic book style of photography intrigued me.
no professional training, just raw talent.

half man half amazing.

LtoR|cosplay party hosted by Rhys|raw studio shoot with Serene Grace|Create Cosmetics event|first ever photo Rhys took of me (obviously without my knowledge)

[enter]: rhysVOTANO. of Upstair Studios. [dexterity]: video and photography

[history]: me and Rhys go way back... back to the summer days of January 2011 (oh so long ago). no seriously, i feel like i've known Rhys for years! after the biggest let down of 2010, my best friend decided to 'open my eyes to the real world', so to speak. one of these occasions include a house party to celebrate the birthday of the man himself. i clearly remember my friend giving me a kind warning: "stay away from Rhys, he likes you arty type" haha. and we have not been able to part from each other since, artistically that is.

[curriculum vitae]: last year we brought you Tree Spirits, an idea that came about from branches turned antlers made by Rhys. we recently shared good times at last weeks Create Cosmetics launch night, and took some awesome shots of Alia Jane in an airforce blue Maiden maxi. click here to have a look see.