The Maker: Mariam Seddiq
The Journal is a place where we celebrate makers, artisans and creatives — those who shape culture with intention and craft. Here, we share their stories, honour their artistic process, and illuminate the beauty of creation.
Meet Mariam Seddiq, Couture Designer
Mariam Seddiq is one of Australia’s most distinctive voices in fashion. Since launching MARIAM SEDDIQ, she has built a world where bold experimentation meets craftsmanship, strength and individuality. Her designs — equal parts sculpture and emotion — are known for their dramatic silhouettes and fluid movement. As part of Haléau’s brand campaign, Mariam’s creations took on new life, echoing the natural forms of oysters and pearls while embodying the brand’s philosophy of beauty as both powerful and otherworldly.
You’ve built an incredible career as a designer — can you share a little about your journey into fashion? What inspired you to start your own label, and how has your brand evolved over time?
Starting MARIAM SEDDIQ was about building a world that didn’t exist — one that merged art, structure and emotion. Over time, the brand has evolved to balance bold experimentation with wearability. Each collection is a new chapter, but the consistent thread throughout is craftsmanship, strength and individuality. At its core, my work has always been about creating fashion that feels like art.
How would you describe the signature style or philosophy of your label? What defines the MARIAM SEDDIQ brand, and how do you keep that vision fresh with each new collection?
MARIAM SEDDIQ is defined by sculpture and drama — pieces with strong silhouettes that still feel fluid and alive. My philosophy is to create fashion that empowers and excites the wearer, something that feels like art but is also deeply personal. To keep it fresh, I constantly push myself outside my comfort zone, experiment with new techniques, collaborate with artists, and draw inspiration from architecture, music, and even chaos.
The exceptional bodice and skirt we featured were standout pieces from your Australian Fashion Week collection. How did it feel to see them take on a new life in a beauty campaign, and what do you think they brought to the mood and story of the shoot?
It was incredible. Fashion is meant to be fluid — to move, transform and inspire in unexpected ways. Seeing the bodice and skirt take on a new life in Haléau’s campaign felt like watching them breathe in a different language. They added strength and elegance while amplifying the idea of beauty as something powerful and otherworldly.
Even though these designs weren’t originally created for Haléau, they felt like such a natural fit — the bodice especially evoked an oyster or pearl. How do you approach creating fashion that can seamlessly cross into different creative worlds, like this blend of high fashion and beauty?
I’m drawn to uneven, abstract forms and the natural imperfections found in the world — each oyster, for example, is unique. The key is staying true to the essence of the design. I don’t create for categories; I create forms, textures and stories that can exist in many worlds. The bodice in particular was sculpted to feel organic, almost like a shell or protective armour, so it naturally resonated with Haléau’s visual story. Fashion, when it’s honest, will always find new homes in unexpected creative spaces.
Is there a particular detail in these garments you’d love people to notice or appreciate? We’d love to hear about any craftsmanship or inspiration behind them that might not be immediately obvious.
The bodice is truly one-of-one — a piece that could only exist through time, craftsmanship and artistry. Built from free-form, abstract sketched shapes, each cut was hand-layered and hand-sewn with raw edges, lightly tacked to flutter with the body. Layered sheer organza created sculptural strength. I was inspired by the works of paper artist Lauren Alyssa Bierly and abstract artist Helen Reynolds. For me, it’s about protection and vulnerability coexisting — strength on the outside, softness within. I hope people notice how the garment balances hardness with fluidity, because that duality is what makes it timeless.
