September 21, 2011 « James Lillis / Black Milk »
James Lillis - the brains and braun behind Australian label Black Milk Clothing - started his brand in 2009, when he walked into a sewing shop and bought two new sewing machines. His idea was simple: he would teach himself to sew, make some unique leggings packed with personality and find some girls who would love to wear them. And so he did. Over a year later, Black Milk Clothing has become somewhat of a cult amongst it's following with James sellling thousands of pairs of leggings all over the world and being featured in publications from the local newspaper to Vogue. As the brand's progress continues to speed ahead, James takes a few minutes out of his - very - busy sewing schedule to talk to me about Black Milk ...
To a stranger to Black Milk, how would you describe your clothes and your brand?
Irreverent, theatrical, futuristic, spontaneous, punk.
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What are your three biggest inspirations when designing?
Cinema, comics, female bodies.
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You're self taught and got yourself to where you are now. What led you to becoming a designer?
A strange suspicion that I could actually do it, and well.
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If there was one designer you aspire to be like, who would that be?
I really don't aspire to be like any other designer! Not because I don't admire them... I just don't see what most other people do as very much fun.
You see people like Karl Lagerfeld doing his illustrations, travelling around with handsome people, attending parties. He seems to like it. I wouldn't.
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What would you say has been your biggest achievement so far?
Not quitting.
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What is your biggest dream?
I'm being chased by monsters, then I jump off a cliff, then I'm flying ;).