Aussie Rules: Black Milk Clothing

[All images taken from Black Milk Clothing's official website].
What started as a brief foray into sewing a shirt became a full creative passion for James Lillis, the designer of Black Milk Clothing, based in Australia. Focusing on leggings, swimwear and dresses, with a smattering of tops and one very sexy lace catsuit, the brand knows exactly where it's going. The aim is to provide brilliantly patterned clothes that are sold exclusively online, and it works. The Galaxy Purple Leggings, above, are a great statement piece for wearing with basic tops or a shirt.

Some of you may know that I'm a massive fan of anatomical art, and that's actually how I came across Black Milk (via the brilliant site Street Anatomy). This skeletal swimsuit would make an excellent body over tights or a sheer skirt. It's beautiful and pays homage to some of the great anatomical illustrators like Andreas Vesalius.

The fantastically named Bone Machine leggings are another potential purchase - they're intricate but could easily pass for an abstract or tribal pattern. This is such a cool way to get into print, and you'd be hard-pushed to find another girl in the same outfit if you were wearing these.

Black Milk dresses are influenced a little differently, with the galaxy and skeleton prints still strong but a few visual links to more traditional art and design. I chose the Mucha dress to show you because it references Alphonse Mucha, a talented Art Deco painter and illustrator. It's a close-fitting number so it's not for the faint-hearted, but you'd get loads of compliments.

I am really impressed by Black Milk Clothing and I think it deserves to be seen. The designs are fresh and fashion-led but without compromising on quality. I'm considering placing an order once I can save up for overseas postage...