Not one to shy away from making a statement, Madison Morris set out to create a clothing line that would embody more personality with well-fitted garments in the gender-fluid market. This market has currently focused on neutralizing gender, with no focus on the wearer’s sense of self.

With MAZI, Morris hopes to be the bridge to self-discovery with gender-free clothing that actually fits, and can be adjusted to your body type while also being full of colour and fun prints. It’s a line that packs as much personality as its customers.

MAZI will be unveiled at the 2019 The Show on April 18 at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) newly opened Wilson School of Design building in Richmond. The beautiful and innovative $36-million building houses a range of design programs including the fashion-design-and-technology program.

Event details and tickets can be found online.

Who or what was the inspiration behind your line?

I was really inspired by today's generation of youth and young adults who no longer want to feel restricted by society's inherent bias of what section you should be shopping in, or clothes you should be wearing. I really admire and identify with anybody who is bold enough to wear their heart on their sleeve, and be their truest self without apology.

I wanted to create a line that promoted self-expression and authenticity through a genderless lens because I truly believe when you look at the traits of a human, some of them are feminine and some of them are masculine. If restrict yourself to one or the other, you are limiting your methods of self-expression.

What aspect of design are you most passionate about?

I wouldn’t say there's just one aspect of design that I’m passionate about because I love the whole process. But when approaching design, there are two parts that hold more importance. For me, every garment must fulfill a want or need for the customer, and make them feel something—be that more confident, beautiful, powerful, or whatever they need to feel good entering the world.

However, the garment also needs to be user-friendly and functional. That means choosing the right fabrics for comfort and longevity, and thinking about ease of wear. When I’m designing, I often ask myself: How easy is it to get the garment on and off?  If it’s just a one-time piece, is it necessary? Can I find a way to make it transformative so it can be worn multiple ways?

I think these are important things to consider when designing.

Describe your education journey.

It was definitely a process of self-discovery. I came into the Wilson School of Design thinking I knew who I wanted to be as a designer and what I wanted to create, and I think I held on to that idea for a little too long. It wasn’t until I let go of those ideas that I was really able to let myself grow as a designer.

What word best encapsulates you as a designer?

Ambitious. For me, design isn’t just about the clothing—there’s so much more meaning behind the garments. I’ve always been one to challenge the ideas of others and to stand up for what I believe in, and I think that really comes through in a lot of my designs. I’ve also always welcomed new challenges and new work. I always feel the need to be doing something or creating something and moving forward, and I love taking on new opportunities.