This month we chat to colourful and creative local fashion designer Nadia Seo as we chat about all things to do with design and the creative process.

 Who is Nadia Seo, tell us a little about your background?

I was born in Korea and came to Australia in the early 2000s. I‘ve loved drawing and painting ever since I was little and always looked for opportunities to study more in these areas. I eventually started attending art lessons and experimenting with different media and skills. Having had my first solo exhibition in 2011, I started getting more involved in art workshops and events. I worked at a gallery and art school on the Gold Coast until moving up to the Fraser Coast about 3.5 years ago.

Then my sewing journey began with a sewing machine I received for Christmas. I was instantly drawn to the idea of designing and creating my own clothes. I began to learn basic skills and knowledge by attending local sewing classes and workshops, reading related books, and watching online tutorials, also from countless trial and error. As I gained more knowledge and confidence, my skills and repertoire quickly expanded. I have been involved in various projects and currently work collaboratively with a few fashion and textile companies.

When did you first realise you had a talent for drawing and design?

I believe I got my creative genes from my mum who is a very inquisitive and motivated person and probably the biggest go-getter I know. Growing up watching her with different creative hobbies played an important role in my strong creative mind and taught me to embody the virtues of creativity, patience, and resourcefulness.

What is the creative process behind fashion design?

I constantly think about the next designs or projects, and when an idea emerges, I draw a quick sketch with some notes in my project planner. Some projects are spontaneous and become tangible in a short amount of time, and some take lots of trials and tweaks until I see a satisfying outcome. I make a priority list of the projects then break them down into achievable amounts for each day to keep myself motivated and avoid missing any deadlines.

How has COVID – 19 affected you and your business?

While we all try to find our way out to the other side of the global pandemic, it’s easy to feel lonely while spending so much more time at home. As a new mum, my days are brimming with care and activities for my baby, but woefully lacking any of my own, which makes some days harder to cope with.

To me, sewing is like meditation. When I immerse myself in creating something through sewing, I lose focus on negative things that might be weighing me down. Through sewing, I embrace the power of finding small pockets of time for myself, and the importance of practicing self-care.

What else would you like people to know and how can they contact you?

If someone had asked me five years ago if I could see myself designing and making my own clothes, I would have said ‘Me? Designing fashion? No way’. But now I sew almost every day and love this new passion for keeping me keen to learn more, think outside of the box, and challenge myself to push past my comfort zone.

I believe that creativity is a human quality that exists in every single one of us.

Can people buy clothing designed by you?

Absolutely. I don’t have a shop or business website at the moment, but I am more than happy to take orders and commissions. You can find my clothing on Instagram (@nadiaseostyles) where I regularly post photos and videos. You may also message me on Instagram or email with a request, once the order is placed, it is expected to be completed in 2 – 4 weeks.

If you have any questions about what I do or how I can help you, you can contact me via my Instagram (@nadiaseostyles) or email —nadia0726@gmail.com.