For the occasion of the Interview, you created a new series of images, tell us about the process behind it.
My holidays were spent in my home country of Australia. My husband lives there, and we are currently long distance between Sydney & Los Angeles, so in between squeezing in as many dates as possible, we also love to create together while we have the chance. We conceptualized the direction for this shoot together, and he shot the images in collaboration with an incredible team of Sydney-based creatives.
How do you develop the characters in your work? And how does your creative process differ when working with clients and brands compared to your personal art practice?
With my work, there is usually one initial source of inspiration, perhaps a new location I’ve stumbled upon or a wig I’ve just invested in. Then I build my characters from there, thinking about who they are and why they’re placed in this universe. When working with clients, I’m trying to first understand their brand and then trying to conceptualize how I can fuse the absurdity of my world with theirs to create something really exciting.
Cindy Sherman’s exploration of identity has left a huge mark on art history. Do you see your work engaging with similar themes, and if so, how do you approach them in your way?
Queen Cindy! Neither of us ever quite managed to throw away the childhood dress-up box. I certainly share an affinity with her exploration of themes around gender & female identity. There is a certain darkness & macabre to her work that I just adore but feel I am yet to touch upon in my own world. Generally, I lean toward lightness & comedy. I want my audience to experience a sense of play when interacting with my hyperbolic characters.
Your work bridges fashion and personal storytelling. How do you find balance in this, and how do you decide when a project or photograph is complete?
I believe both of these elements flow from the same source and complement one another. I spent the larger part of my early 20s wondering whether I was this or that & what to focus my energy on. Now I’ve learned to just follow instinct and create from a place of excitement.
I know a project is ready when I still LOVE it. If I stare at it for too long, it can start to lose its magic.
What’s currently on your studio playlist? Are there any songs or genres that never fail to inspire you?
Oh, so many things! My choices are very dependent on my mood, but Euro Disco, New Wave & folk are always staples.
What does your wardrobe look like?
Like a pile of Jenga sticks right before they’re about to collapse.
Is there a difference between your “personal style” and the style we see in your work?
In my imagined ideal world, I’d look like a Fifth Element character every day of my life – for practical reasons I do occasionally have to wear slacks and sneakers.
What will you be wearing in 2025, and what should we wear?
The world is bleak enough as it is, so fashion as a form of escapism remains as vital as ever. With that in mind, I’ll stay committed to tacky opulence in 2025. YOU should embrace much more color, wear giant hats, and tiny handbags & stack your shoulder pads.
Millie Sykes – www.milliesykes.com, www.instagram.com/milliesykess/, www.tiktok.com/@milliesykess
CREDITS: Photographer: Shae Lowe @shae_lowe | Model/styling/CD: Millie Sykes | MUA: Alana Lucky @alanalucky__ | Hair: Gina Yates @g.b.yates