Waste Land Pixie with Chandler Simpson and Lillian Murphy.
As I was scrolling upon my instagram feed, I stopped dead in my tracks. Reposted by a style icon and former interviewee Mama Shark, I fell along wasteland pixie. This brand is grungy, guarded, and raw. The works of Lillian are stunning. Each piece is up-cycled, customised, and hand made.
C: Hello Lillian! Tell me about yourself, short introduction, name, age, etc?
L: Hello, my name is Lillian Murphy but I go by Lillian Rose. I am from Louisville, Kentucky. I am 19 years old. I have never done an interview before so I am really excited. I am a painter and a seamstress, otherwise just a muilti facetted artists. I have been doing wasteland pixie for 3 years. I go to JCTC, to study art and then I will transfer to get my bachelors at IUS. I am studying fine art. I am a painter more than a seamstress with a focus on mixed media oil paints, as I like to add lots of elements of texture. For instance, I have used dried flowers in my work.
C: Where does the name wasteland pixie come from?
L:A couple years ago, I was tryna figure out a new user name. I knew I was towards the wasteland aesthetics, that's what I would call the theme of my work. I have grown into this aesthetic over time. As a child my favourite person was Padme and loved Fallout Four the game.
C: What inspires you to design? How did you learn to sew?
L: I didn't know how to use a sewing machine for the 1st year of my brand, I wanted to paint and transfer the textures onto clothing. I wanted to put my work into something tangible. I always loved fashion as a child, I was hand sewing everything, then I taught myself how to sew. I have ADHD, I rather just trial and error myself, and that is my process. I don't plan anything, I don't draw sketches, I like it more when there are less expectations compared to when you draw.
C:In your opinion, what does the fashion industry need more and less of?
L:I think fashion needs more authenticity, like real creativity. it needs to be more immersive, the clothes need to create worlds. Petra Collins is a great example of someone who curates a world outside her work. An artist needs to be honest to their creativity, everything is placed there for you to experience. I think we need to see less high fashion bland boringness for 5,000 dollars, I just don't get it.
C: What are some of your biggest fashion pet peeves?
L:I try not to judge people about what they are wearing. I will say I am not a fan of the tik tok alternative brand and the lack of DIY in styling, and then Shein and Aliexpress are big No’s.
C: Do you believe in aesthetics? If so, what is your brand's aesthetic?
L:I do believe in aesthetics. People should wear what they want, and curated aesthetics are a real thing that decipher that. I do believe my aesthetic is my own core, it is very personal and authentic to me. Copying is a crazy topic, everyone thinks they are doing something for the first time, when in reality you take inspiration whether you do it consciously or not. It’s authentic when it comes from personal experiences. From Kat Bjelland, Babes and Toyland, she kind of created the kinder whore aesthetic with her album Amusa. It is very green and it has inspired the vibe for my brand. I listen to it when I make my clothes. Also Star Wars is another world I find inspiring. Random people like Krystle Cole, also by Petra Collins and Monibelle. I do mostly hair makeup, set design, and costume design. My close friends help me take photos but sometimes it is just me. The creative direction is me, but my friends help me bring it to life.
C: What is one thing you would love to tell your younger self?
L: I would say to keep on going. There have been so many times where I have wanted to give up, I have been kicked down my whole life but I keep going to piss people off. I want to prove them wrong, I want to do it out of spite but also you have to keep going to get better. I knew I needed to build my skill. I started painting everyday and when I stop I notice.
C: How do you separate yourself from other young designers?
L:It comes back to my immersive vision, it is very specific and intuitive. My experiences and emotions as a person separate me from other designers, I live a very specific life. A lot of the work is about my childhood, and even if someone tries to replicate my work it will never be me. it won't ever be the same. If you are a specific type of person no one can replicate that. When large brands try they never succeed and it is not the same. Everything I buy is second hand, I use a heat press, I will take images from thrift stores and print them onto fabric. It is very specific. My most recent tank tops have been inspired by a microchip cross, I found it years ago and I love it so much. I used to be so obsessed with microchips, I used to do a lot of costume makeup and use the elements in photoshoots.
C: It was so incredible to meet you! I loved hearing all about your brand and vision. To shop wastelandpixie click here > https://wastelandpixie.online/
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