Hi, I'm Lahni

Being creative and pursing creative projects has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Many of my fondest memories are of crafting, drawing, painting, sewing or building with my parents and siblings.  Craft was something that I thought all kids did with their parents.

My mum was (and still is) an expert in dreaming up creative projects for us kids.  My dad was (and still is) always making, tinkering and repairing something in the garage.  As a child I would draw and paint for hours.  We sourced our craft supplies from found items, this gave me imagination.  

My mum and grandmother's taught me how to sew clothes for my dolls from scraps of fabric, and then as I grew older sew my own clothes.  

When I went to school, Art was my favourite class and the art room was always a sanctuary where I felt with my kind. I loved to create and communicate visually - I was the kid with the science project that looked like an artwork.

When it came time to choose my career, I felt overwhelmed.  It was my mum that reminded me how much I loved textiles, colour, print and pattern.  When we attended the RMIT Textile Design Open Day, I immediately knew surface pattern design was for me.  It was a world where I could get lost in my imagination, sink my teeth into colour and print and it had infinite possibilities.  From then on I was obsessed with creating seamlessly repeating patterns.

In the 15 or so years since, I've worked in the fashion industry designing for some of Australia's most iconic brands.  This experience has given me a deep understanding of the importance of brand identity and crafting designs that are unique to each brand and fit seamlessly with each individual brands handwriting.

More recently I've returned to my love of surface pattern design collaborating with some stunning Australian brands and licencing my art on products sold across the globe.

When I create I tap into the depths of my soul, it's my happy place and brings me immense joy.

All surface designers will tell you there is some sort of magic that happens when you create a seamless repeat, it's addictive and why I create everyday.

In my studio, you'll find me surrounded by paintbrushes, water colours, walls filled with gathered inspiration and my trusty scanner and Mac, that help me convert my marks into seamless repeating patterns.

If my story resonated with you or you like my style, say hi, my inbox is always open and I'd love to collaborate with you.

Warmly,

Lahni