10 emerging creatives to watch right now, according to the Fashion Journal team
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ADIDAS ORIGINALS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SULLY ENAYATZADA
STYLING BY CARLOS MANGUBAT
MAKEUP BY MEG MCCONVILLE
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
We’re paying attention, and you should too.
Usually, even the most unconventional of artists will find themselves with a kind of ‘uniform’ – a favourite cut of T-shirt, a particular brand of jeans, or a sneaker they’ve bought in every colour. A pioneer brand in fashion, adidas Originals has been creating culture-defining shoes for decades.
The Gazelle, Superstar and Samba sneakers have been reinterpreted across sport and fashion countless times. You’re as likely to see a three-stripe shoe on the court, as you are on stage at a gig, which makes adidas Originals so unique. With its newly launched campaign, adidas Originals celebrates the Original stories of not only its global original Icons (including Jenna Ortega, Stormzy and David Beckham) but also celebrates the original stories of leading and emerging creatives from subcultures across the globe.
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We’re always on the lookout for new talent who encapsulate the timelessness and influence that adidas Originals represent. At Fashion Journal, we pride ourselves on championing emerging creatives across Australia. We’re here to introduce what’s new, highlighting diverse voices across fashion, beauty, music and art. Thankfully, we don’t have to look too far – fledgling talent is everywhere. Here, we’ve rounded up eight of the emerging creatives we’re watching right now.
They might have a signature look, might hold up a mirror to the current culture or might challenge the status quo. Spanning creative industries, these individuals all thrive off originality. We’re paying attention, and you should too.
Izzy Wight, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
Meg McConville, makeup artist
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Melbourne-based makeup artist Meg McConville (aka Moochi) sits at the intersection of fashion and beauty, creating unconventional looks on the faces of the local creative set. Describing her style as “expressive, exaggerated and playful”, Meg’s work challenges conventional beauty standards. I love how she plays with shapes and shading – she inspires me to get further out of my comfort zone with makeup.
Teether, musician
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Teether is one of Melbourne’s most exciting emerging musical acts, known for his alt-rap tracks that blend genres like metal, hip-hop and funk. Like most contemporary creatives, he wears many hats – he’s part of the “brutal and cryptic” trio Too Birds, and often takes to the stage for live sets with his partner and fellow musician, Nini. Much like his music, Teether’s on-stage style is a merging of worlds – ’90s-style baby tees, Y2K sportswear and oversized ’80s-esque suiting.
Milo Hartill, actor, singer and model
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My first time seeing Milo perform was at the iconic queer Fitzroy venue, Rainbow House Club. Wearing a hot-pink bikini, snout and pig ears, she kicked, shimmied and crawled across the stage – and it was magical. Milo’s a captivating and hilarious talent, integrating her skills as an actor, singer, dancer, model and “cheeky baby” into every performance. I’d watch her in anything, snout or not.
Maggie Zhou, Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Features Editor
Tamara and the Dreams, musician
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I’m very lucky I get to call Tamara Reichman a friend of mine. As the ‘Tamara’ in Tamara and the Dreams, she’s the singer-songwriter creating dulcet indie bedroom pop tunes. Tamara is a Melbourne musician through and through; her songs reference St Kilda Beach and tram rides. She perfectly balances earnest musings with tongue-in-cheek sarcasm, making her a certified Gen Z musician.
Uma Barnes, designer
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I’ve always envied people who are handy with their hands. Despite being a fashion lover, I’m hopeless with a needle and thread. Re.Uma is an upcycled fashion label out of Melbourne, and its founder, Uma Barnes, is fortunately very skilled in the making department. She creates one-of-a-kind garments made from vintage and deadstock fabrics, transforming items past their due-by date into something completely new.
Connor McWhinnie
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In the hubbub of social media, it can be hard for a content creator to stand out. But when it comes to Sydney-based fashion boy Connor McWhinnie, his eclectic content is a breath of fresh air. He’s previously told Fashion Journal that he “love[s] to wear anything that embarrasses [him] and makes [him] look like a cartoon character,” Connor isn’t afraid of standing out with his brightly coloured hair and dopamine-fuelled wardrobe, and I love that about him.
Cait Emma Burke, Fashion Journal’s Editor
Wayan Preston, designer
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I’ve been a fan of Brisbane-based designer Wayan Preston’s style for some time now (we did a Hey, I Like Your Style! on her here). She co-founded an accessories label, Lizandbetty, that creates a selection of blinged-out belts and T-shirts and has her own bag label, Yani Yani, where she makes bags by hand out of designer deadstock fabrics and upcycled materials. She’s a woman who wears many creative hats, and I’ll always be intrigued to see what her next move is.
Katherine Rose, stylist
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Sydney-based stylist Katherine Rose, aka Rose Pure, is known for creating shoots (and outfits) that are fantastical and mind-bending. In a Rose Pure image, trends are flipped on their head; there’s a subversive, fresh and wholly original feel to everything she curates. Aside from styling for her own projects, she’s assisted on set for titles like Vogue Australia, styled musicians like Big Wett and Memphis LK, and runs an upcycled fashion label, Pure Obsession, which you can read more about here. She’s a talented and busy lady!
Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaign Coordinator
Tig Terera, film director and writer
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Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Australia, Tig Terera is a writer and director who creates compelling narratives through his mediums of screen and word. Most recently, Tig created and wrote an eight-part Australian drama series titled Swift Street. “It’s truly exciting to have the opportunity to tell a heartfelt and unapologetic black and brown story,” he said, adding that it was inspired by his sister. Above all, the Melbourne-based creative’s art is raw, real and captures human emotion incredibly well.
Katharina Mildren, designer
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Sydney-based designer Katharina Mildren, under her label Katharina Lou, handmakes pieces for those who want to dress up. Known for bright colours and bold prints, she creates made-to-order garments that are designed to make you feel confident, creative and inspired. She’s already making waves in the Australian fashion industry, collaborating with brands like Après Studios and Not Sew New, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
You can browse the adidas Originals collection here.
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