HI I’M JOSIE!
I was always a creative kid who loved drawing but I started upcycling clothes when I was 11 and got my own sewing machine for Christmas. My work is inspired by drawing, the creative process, and mixing that with functional features. I draw inspiration from utilitarian garments like cargo pants and winter jackets and translate certain elements into more fun, artistic, silhouettes with bright colors. I find that recycling and upcycling (repurposing while still keeping some of the history of the original garment) thrifted clothing allows me to combine function and aesthetics the way I want. It also is more environmentally friendly than buying brand new materials and sustainability in fashion is another important quality to me.
Check Out Josie’s Website! josiemadden.myportfolio.com/about
Q&A:
Was there someone who inspired you to become an artist/designer yourself?
I watched a lot of Project Runway as a kid and it influenced me to translate my artistic abilities into fashion designs. While I watched the show, I would spin a wheel with different seasons, themes, and “spins” on it (ie: winter, cocktail party, and princesses) and then do a fashion illustration challenge. If I ever got the chance to be on the show I would do it in a heartbeat.
What was a time when you were particularly proud or excited about your designs?
My favorite project was a squares & rectangles assignment in Cloth to Clothing with Professor Kallenborn. Using only those shapes you had to construct a whole garment, and I made a pair of pants where I gathered and pleated huge rectangles until I engineered a crotch curve for the pants.
The time I was most excited about my designs was the TFD Fall Showcase where I had a small gallery space to curate and show off my best work. It was inspired by my sketchbook/planner coming to life. The display alone took me a week to put together and a lot of people got to see my work during the reception.
What are you reacting to?
I think womenswear generally lacks utility and quality construction which contributes to the damaging fast-fashion cycle. Clothes should have pockets, be unique, and still be able to be worn comfortably and over-and-over again. When I’m sketching and watercoloring my fashion illustrations I often write in notes around the bodies or write to-do lists with sketches of pattern pieces and construction elements. It’s my way of making even my illustrations be multi-functional. Someday I would love to work somewhere that practices sustainable design and still doesn’t compromise on aesthetics and functionality.
