Michaela Stark is an Australian “body-morphing” artist and couturier based in London. Her primary practice involves creating custom, one-of-a-kind lingerie pieces designed to sculpt and disfigure the body. She frequently models and photographs her own creations, integrating them into her multidisciplinary practice.
Michaela’s culture-expanding work has garnered widespread recognition in top fashion and cultural outlets such as i-D, Dazed, AnOther, Vogue US, Vogue UK, Vogue Italia, The New York Times, Document Journal, Show Studio, and Arte TV. Her ability to challenge the boundaries of fashion and identity has solidified her as a unique voice in contemporary art.
Michaela regularly collaborates with leading photographers, visual artists, and creatives in the fashion world. She has worked with leading figures such as Nick Knight, Sølve Sundsbø, Jack Davison, Katie Grand, Paul Kooiker, Brigitte Niedermair, Lea Colombo, Charlie Chops, and Casper Sejersen, to name just a few. These collaborations often span photography, video, and conceptual art, further pushing the envelope of her multidisciplinary practice.
Michaela has designed custom couture pieces for high-profile artists including Beyoncé, Shygirl, Tove Lo, and Sam Smith. In 2023 she designed exclusive couture pieces for the Victoria’s Secret World Tour 2023, showcased at New York Fashion Week and featured in a film available on Amazon Prime.
As a couturier, Michaela’s creations are rooted in traditional couture techniques, with each piece carefully handcrafted to fit and celebrate the body of its wearer. Using delicate silks, hand-dyed fabrics, and intricate embellishments, her designs are a fusion of fashion and art, deeply personal yet universally resonant. Each garment is bespoke, a one-of-a-kind work of art tailored specifically to the individual it is created for.
Michaela’s practice also extends into live performances and exhibitions, where she combines fashion, art, and performance to create immersive experiences. In 2021, she was in residence at Sarabande: The Lee Alexander McQueen Foundation, where she hosted a conversation with Solve Sundsbo about their respective creative processes and collaborations. This residency culminated in her first solo exhibition at Space 3537, featuring a live performance where Michaela cut and tailored Jean-Paul Gaultier toiles directly onto her body. In 2022. She collaborated with Nick Knight for Photo London. She has also been a speaker at prestigious events, including panel talks at the Thyssen Museum and the Design Museum in London. Michaela continues to expand her practice throughout 2024 with notable performances at Fondazione Sozzani in Milan, the Tate Museum in London, and ShowStudio.
Factum Arte's Diary: Nick Knight from factum-arte on Vimeo.