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LIFEwithBIRD is the story of Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget (bird) McCall.
Bridget McCall ('Bird'), an accomplished photographer and fashion stylist, completed her studies in photography in Melbourne. Post graduation, Bridget pursued her interests in London, where she collaborated on magazine shoots for 'The Face' and 'i-D' magazines. Bridget returned to Australia as an agent for the Jade Jagger accessory line, before connecting with Nicholas to form LIFEwithBIRD.
Nicholas Van Messner studied fashion design at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne. While still studying, Nicholas began work with the street couture label, Maiike. This involved the set-up and expansion of the collection in Japan, followed closely by the LIFEwithBIRD collaboration with Bridget McCall.
LIFEwithBIRD was established in 2002. Drawing from their strengths, Bridget and Nicholas displayed a technical ability to translate conceptual, ultra modern ideas into unique garments and accessories. Since the conception of LIFEwithBIRD, Bridget McCall and Nicholas Van Messner have transcended their design pedigree to emerge as a unique talent within their own right. Not only has LIFEwithBIRD forged its own contemporary aesthetic, their designs have coveted a global following.
In 2007, the highly anticipated LIFEwithBIRD concept book, titled, ‘Imagine no.9,’ won the highest award given in the design category at MADC awards. This book was a collaborative effort between the designers at LIFEwithBIRD, art direction by Three60 design, photography by Steven Chee and styling by Phillip Scurrah.
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The Imagine no.9 book was also nominated for the prestigious AGDA Awards.
In 2008, German publisher, Daab selected LIFEwithBIRD as one of three representatives to showcase the most innovative Australian designers, in the Australasian publication titled, ‘Young Asian Fashion Designers.’
In 2009, LIFEwithBIRD & Three60 design in collaboration with Justin Cooper created a limited edition set of posters, titled ‘Into the Night’. This series follows a nomadic Parisian girl through the streets of le Marais.
This campaign was nominated and won a ‘Yellow Pencil’ award at the highly respected D&AD Awards, which are regarded as the major event in the design and advertising world.
LIFEwithBIRD continues to be driven by original concepts and has created a reputation as a leader in designing modern classics.
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THE WORLD AWAKE A/W/ ‘12
LIFEwithBIRD describe their Autumn Winter offering as an aesthetic expression of the modern life. The collection has been developed from the reality if a harder working, faster paced existence creating a subsequent need for escapism and balance.
From this starting point, probably the most apparent results can be seen in silhouette. A balance between controlled forms with that of something looser and more relaxed creates a striking array of compositions across the collection. As has become an increasingly prominent factor within LIFEwithBIRD collections, layering and varying lengths again play a major part for Autumn Winter.
The seasons colour palette has been taken from the urban landscape, with a range of chalk, taupe and stone greys through to granite, slate and shades of black. Highlight tones of deep burgundy, burnt gold and smoky blue are interspersed through the collection to provide a lift amongst the more muted pieces.
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LIFEwithBIRD’s experience with prints shines through again, mirroring the collections focus on balance through handling seemingly chaotic patterns in a more controlled manor. The results are garments that appear understated in overall silhouette and composition yet possess thoroughly arresting elements within them. Night Cat is an abstract digital print of multicoloured flashes amid white animal prints. Penny Lane presents a rust toned abstract print of discarded pennies. Lastly, Runaway echoes elements of escape within the collections theme; an erratic digital print that reaches across the body yet is delivered in a monochrome palette of black and grey.
Fabrication is the notable development for this season, with an even greater focus on luxurious fabrics imported from Italy and Japan to create an extra element of depth throughout. A balance has been struck between natural fibres – cotton, linen and flax – and those of a far more high tech nature, such as Polyzonics plus wet look and enzyme finishes. Japanese sand washed Rayons sit with cashmere, liquid wet look polyester with Turkish thatched felt.
Leather accessories move away from the signature all black colour palette of previous seasons, with the introduction of a camel toned New Zealand leather. Both the black and camel are offered up in an oversized tote, casual bucket bag and a more compact clutch style, as well as simple purses and braided and skinny wrap belts.
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