Patterns in Nature, Vintage Fabrics and Spiritually Confused Scandinavians: An Interview with Freddie a.k.a Lichen
/Freddie is a beautiful soul,
and talented clothing label designer and founder of ‘Lichen’,
based at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
We asked Freddie some red hot Qs to get a behind the scenes look at the world,
and inspirations behind them and their amazing work.
Freddie modelling some of their handmade clothing at Nauti Studios.
A beautiful garment made by hand by Freddie at Nauti.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee, ad libitum.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise in the city, sunset in the bush.
What scares you?
The thought of going blind, either by a freak accident or with age. I'm sure I share that with a lot of people who likewise base their purpose on this planet around visual art.
A beautiful garment made by hand by Freddie at Nauti.
A glimpse up close of all the beautiful vintage and sustainable fabrics Freddie uses.
When did you start making clothes?
During the first lockdown. I've always had a sewing machine and had previously had short stints of making bikinis from second-hand men's shirts and taught myself to quilt, but the lockdown gave me the opportunity to invest solid time into learning how to make garments.
What inspires you and your work?
The name I chose for my label, Lichen, sums it up well. I've always been fascinated by patterns in nature, in particular repeated structures and fractal formations in seemingly order-less natural phenomenon. I began paying attention to the lichen on the bark and stones of the dense forests of the UK on a trip a few years ago, and I've since tried to echo those patterns on the fabric I use for my garments, seeing the wearer of the garment almost like a lichen-clad tree.
What’s your fav thing about Nauti?
I'm struggling to not sound cliché here, but I honestly can't think of a single thing that isn't my fave thing about Nauti. Six months in and I'm still excited every morning I enter that beautiful space. It continues to be a warm and encouraging place to create from amongst an inspiring group of studio neighbours.
More beautiful garments made by hand by Freddie at Nauti.
Rad selection of bags made by hand by Freddie at Nauti.
What is the item of clothing you are most proud of?
That would have to be the collection of skirts I made during my first few weeks at Nauti. I had just returned from a trip back to Denmark to visit my family and had collected half a suitcase full of vintage Scandinavian fabrics. For weeks I spent 10 hours a day sewing these pieces, which were incredibly nostalgic and held a lot of personal meaning to me.
What are you working on at the moment?
At the moment I am in full swing sewing custom pieces commissioned by customers, using bamboo fabric.
If you weren't a fashion designer, what would you be?
I was on the path to becoming a certified Naturopath before I started Lichen, so realistically that is probably where life would have taken me. I've also always fantasised about baking cakes for a living. I can't deny that I often joke with friends about becoming a professional beat-boxer though (note: I have never even attempted to beat-box).
Rad Lichen hoodies made by hand by Freddie.
Awesome pants made by hand by Freddie at Nauti.
Have any artists changed the way you see the world?
Two come to mind, the first being the 19th century abstract painter Hilma Af Klint. I recently did a deep dive into her work and her life and was thrilled to find another spiritually confused female Scandinavian artist. Her paintings are mesmerizing. The second artist would have to be Vivienne Westwood. With no formal training, she created a job and a platform for herself and successfully wove politics and activism into her garment creation.
If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
The two mentioned above. Perhaps balanced with Steve-O from Jackass because I do love a good laugh.
A sneak peak inside Freddie’s creative space at Nauti Studios in Sydney.
