Rose Mikklesen: A return to movement
Return to Analogue celebrates 1920s modernism through Bauhaus principles and geometric abstraction, offering escapism from digital disenchantment. Progressive rhythm and geometric clarity create dynamic movement throughout this collection. Vintage codes and fabric manipulation reflect a changing design identity. Technical pattern making and construction honour the creative spirit through each analogue step, transforming ideas into three-dimensional tactile forms.
Rose Mikkelsen is inspired by mod aesthetics; an exploration of line and texture, balancing traditional tailoring with a pub sensibility. Through her love of patternmaking, Rose creates ever evolving garments, each unique in their own form. Slow making is integrated throughout her processes, imbuing each garment with intimate details, sometimes only noticeable to the wearer. Rose intends to cultivate a brand with a focus on wearability. Her new endeavour into ready to wear shows her refined tailoring skills and elaboration on previous designs, keeping with her foundation of fabric manipulation.
Rose’s connection to fashion began with a love of sewing. After studying textiles and fashion at college, pursuing a four-year fashion design degree with honours at Massey University felt like a natural decision.
“I’ve always loved sewing. I was quite passionate about it.”
Fabric manipulation allows her to transform familiar garments into something distinctive. “I can make a dress shirt or a button-up, but I want to add something that speaks to my design ideas. Something that you can’t buy off the rack.”
Rose describes the community she found at Massey as one of the most valuable parts of her studies. Working alongside other creatives allowed ideas and feedback to move freely between classmates, particularly during the demanding final stages of the collection.
“We were all pulling huge, 12-hour days. We were in the trenches, but we were in it together, looking after each other.”
Showing at New Zealand Fashion Week allows Rose to introduce her work to a wider audience while connecting with emerging designers from across the country.
Currently working at The Fabric Store, she continues to develop the ideas in Return to Analogue. Her next step is to translate its tailoring and fabric manipulation into a smaller ready-to-wear collection, garments designed for everyday life while retaining her individual touch.
“I’m working on my own stuff. I want to make it more wearable and more everyday, but still with my own twist.”