Seeking the Creative: Michelle Frazier, Fashion Designer

CREDIT: Michelle Frazier

How would you describe your art in three words?

Ethereal, playful, romantic.

Michelle Frazier saves scraps of fabrics usually disregarded and wasted and transforms them into delicate and diaphanous designs that capture a youthful and fetching aesthetic. The 26 year old designer from Chicago, Illinois has crafted her brand after a life’s worth of passion for sewing and sustainability. The garments Michelle hand makes are dainty and diverse in pattern and style, beautifully showcasing her skill and trendy eye. She is meticulous about her color scheme, choosing soft palettes ranging from deep maroons to pale pinks. After receiving her first sewing machine back in middle school, Michelle has since spent everyday creating, whether it be to produce pieces for her brand, or to simply soothe her mind after a busy day. The young designer is passionate about reminding customers that sustainability is fashionable, and hopes to spread this knowledge as she continues to pursue her fashion career and turn it into a full-time gig.

Where/how do you gather inspiration?

I’m inspired by many things. I feel like it’s this chaotic mix in my head of things I love that I try to pull from when I sit down and create. I really love moody colors mixed with pinks and reds. There’s a great movie called “In The Mood for Love” by Wong Kar-wai that has a beautiful color palette of deep reds and blacks that I’m inspired by.

What do you hope audiences retain from your work?

That clothing can still be beautiful and wearable while also being sustainable. All of my pieces are made from secondhand or scrap fabric, materials that are normally forgotten or thrown out! I hope to share the importance of reusing and recycling especially in an industry that’s so saturated with fast fashion.