The Down Under Influence of m a r i a m.seddiq
From Down Under to the South of France and back again, Australian designer Mariam Seddiq looks back on childhood and a European excursion that led to her luxury brand.
Both ready-to-wear and bespoke, Australian private sales atelier m a r i a m.seddiq has grasped intricate design aesthetics comprised of sculpted tailoring, dramatic drapery, and masterful hand embellishment. For five years, the Seddiq brand has left a lasting impression on the industry, as well as clients, crafting each individual piece by hand, ensuring to retain their Australian integrity. During an in-depth interview, need-to-know designer Mariam Seddiq discusses how her background, a love for painting, and Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie inspires her and her self-made label. “I love that our clients get to experience the whole process when they come in for their private shopping appointment or to make custom orders; from sketches to dresses in progress, to our showroom with all our products.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia and having both parents from Kabul, Afghanistan gives Seddiq that perfect “bit of flavor,” as seen sewn and stitched into each crafted piece. “The richness in handicraft I saw in my first visit to Afghanistan last year was extraordinary. Painting and art is a huge thing for me,” exposed Seddiq, “As I started with art first then it translated into fashion when I was 16. This is thanks to my uncle, whom I grew up with and is an insanely talented artist.
While reminiscing back to her childhood, Seddiq explains the one connection between fashion and individuality. Having a mother dress Seddiq and her sister, four years younger, as one may call “bookends,” will say the moment having scarred her, understands the importance of dressing different personalities; and that form of motivation is instilled in the brand. “I think individuality is super important. Knowing what you love and what you like and not being afraid of this. Expressing it and developing this is key. Fashion to me means diversity. It is an expression and I believe nowadays anything goes. Fashion makes everyone feel good and I love making my clients feel amazing with every piece.”
With much appreciation to Italian luxury brand – Accademia Italiana - Arte Moda Design (University in Florence) – Seddiq's taste for high-end fashion, curiosity about fabrication, draping, and unique techniques was kicked into high gear. “It was a great opportunity to further my skills, but also to observe the European culture and fashion, as well as, absorb the art and history.” From creating a sonic buzz across Europe (she has a cocktail named after her in Monaco at Hotel Hermitage), the French architecture is what has truly inspired the Seddiq brand to take on more structured risks. “I am inspired by, I would say, architecture. It really gets me. Dubai is sci-fi and new. I always like a mix of old and new. Structured and drape. That balanced mix gives everything flavor.”
Structured and strong, the Seddiq brand mirrors its pieces after influentially strong women. From the founder's mother, Mary Seddiq, to Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie – the brand's very first muse for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia New Gen collection – even dark poetry and beautiful photography speaks to the strength and mood in every woman. “My collections are more of a ‘mood’ rather than a concept or inspiration. The entire collection needs to carry out this mood at the moment. [During the runway show] The model needs to morph into this mood when walking for me. I want the girls to march with fierce eyes, no arms or hips. It's quite powerful,” exposed the designer.
For the upcoming seasons, the latest Seddiq collection is currently the new direction of the Aussie native label. With signature blazer cuts, liquid metallics, masterful pieces and a unique collaboration with an abstract artist, creating one-off pieces, Seddiq has essentially designed prized selections of beautifully tailored suits for their clients to personally create. Tailored to one's individual taste, environment, and flair, Seddiq's structured pieces fuse the founder's own obsession with Marlene Dietrich and Daphne Guinness in layered boss suits. “We have built a client base that loves unique pieces as opposed to commercially-mass produced pieces. So we want to build an element of dream and fantasy. That old school vibe in the modern world and the art of my structural couture pieces.” Want more? Surprise, the m a r i a m.seddiq brand is expected to land and launch in the United States later this year.
