Milochie - Behind The Brand

This week, we’ve caught up with Milochie’s Founder and Designer – Angela Coram. Before her beautiful new collection is released, we thought it would be great to get her insight on what happens behind the scenes of the Milochie brand. ​
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Hey Angela! How much time do you usually spend on the design process?
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A single pattern can take anywhere from one day to four weeks! I never force a pattern to evolve, if it isn't happening then and there I simply come back to it at a later time.

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So, how often do you create these patterns?

I’m always collecting ideas and imagery and storing them away for future projects. It’s not until I start to design for the next collection that they emerge as full patterns. 

Does it involve working collaboratively or is designing a solo task?

All Milochie designs start off solo, it’s not until the final stages that I’ll ask some of my close creative friends as well as yoga teachers and students for their opinions. Mostly, I check whether the clothing would be perfect for yoga and whether the patterns align with the theme I’m exploring. After all, a good design should speak for itself.


Is there a place where you like to design for Milochie? If so, why? How does it help your creativity?

I usually design at home. I always collect imagery or points of inspiration throughout the year and when it comes to designing for a new collection, I immerse myself in these images and start to scribble a few patterns and lines in my sketchbook. I need the quiet of my home where I can surround myself with all my inspirations and let myself feel the pattern and the story behind it. 


Your designs are so colourful and intricate. What are your influences? Are there any designers that inspire you? 

I’m always designing in my head. From walking through a park to browsing antique shops, any of these types of activities can influence my designs. Nature is my well of inspiration. When I find something interesting, patterns start to spring in my mind and that’s usually where it all starts.
I don't draw ideas from any particular designers, I simply just sketch what inspires me and hope it becomes something beautiful! I studied design at university, and we were encouraged to get inspired by designers, but honestly, that just never worked for me. All of my mood boards and designs are inspired by what I see on day-to-day basis, from what influences me subliminally. 
When I’m working with a particular theme, I start to notice certain details more than before. For example, working on the Wanderlust collection, I became inspired by all things cultural and botanical. I reflected on the places I loved visiting and the features of those locations that made them really stand out to me. It was the hardest collection to narrow down to four prints!

Do you always stick to the same design method or does it vary?

It’s more or less similar but I try to be experimental every time. I use a large variety of processes so that each design offers a different aesthetic and feel to the previous.
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Do you use any computer software for your creative process? Or do you hand sketch your designs?

I like to work with fine liners because they’re permanent, and there’s no room for uncertainty – I just go where the liners lead me! Later I will use some watercolours, even cyanotype, or play around with different colours or repeats on photoshop.
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What do you enjoy most about designing for Milochie?

I love the complete freedom at the start of the design process, where I have no distinct image in my mind, but a huge sense of possibility. I don't begin with a visual design in my head. There will be elements I’ve already decided on that I want to involve, but the outcome is always a surprise. It’s so exciting seeing a pattern on a piece of clothing as it completely transforms when it becomes 3D.

How does sustainability find itself in your process?

The initial idea for Milochie was to create activewear that offers the same great style as what is on the market but invested with more heart and meaning, most importantly with materials that aren’t readily used in the industry. I don't want customers to compromise on style for the sake of it being natural and eco-friendly, so it has always been important to me to set out with the challenge of applying both. 
It’s during the pattern cutting stage of the clothing that I consider the materials I am working with and how best to use them. For the Wanderlust collection, I spent many months developing Miloflex®, our new activewear fabric that is great for yoga and fitness, which, refreshingly, is eco-friendly. This was the lengthy and difficult part of the process because tencel®, the main fibre in Miloflex®, isn’t used for activewear alone because usually it’s too thin and not stretchy enough for easy movement. However, many developments later, with a lot of patience from the manufacturer, we got it to work just right.
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How does sustainability find itself in your process?

The initial idea for Milochie was to create activewear that offers the same great style as what is on the market but invested with more heart and meaning, most importantly with materials that aren’t readily used in the industry. I don't want customers to compromise on style for the sake of it being natural and eco-friendly, so it has always been important to me to set out with the challenge of applying both. 
It’s during the pattern cutting stage of the clothing that I consider the materials I am working with and how best to use them. For the Wanderlust collection, I spent many months developing Miloflex®, our new activewear fabric that is great for yoga and fitness, which, refreshingly, is eco-friendly. This was the lengthy and difficult part of the process because tencel®, the main fibre in Miloflex®, isn’t used for activewear alone because usually it’s too thin and not stretchy enough for easy movement. However, many developments later, with a lot of patience from the manufacturer, we got it to work just right.
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How long does it usually take for the design to jump from page to fabric?

The journey from design to the final sample can take over six months. I don't participate in fast fashion trends, because to me the heart of the design, the function of the product, and its sustainability are more important. With every collection I try to be more sustainable – so each collection offers exciting new challenges. I’ve found this to be particularly true for my new upcoming collection Wanderlust,  I’m very excited for its release.
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The newest collection, Wanderlust, from Milochie will be out from April. For now, why not browse through our existing designs here?