Journey through Fault style with Lisa McFadden Millinery

How do you crown your head as you walk out the door, start your day and brave the crazed world? With brimmed rings of beauty crowned upon your head with LISA MCFADDEN Millinery. Fault catches up with and highlights this incredibly talented, fusion filled eclectic NYC based Black independent designer.

Photographer | VICTOR MIRONTSCHUK @edivictor

Fashion Stylist + Interview | CHAUNIELLE BROWN @chaunielle_brown

Model | DE’JA ROBINSON @dejayosha

Hair + Makeup | WHITNEY FREEMAN @glam.by.wf

Fashion Assistants | BRYANT SALAZAR @bryantsinthegram | Emily Pappas @emily.pappas | Jody Bain @slightly.boo

Designer + Producer | LISA MCFADDEN @lisamcfaddenmillinery

Cinematographer | SEAN KIM @butterm3

Special Thank You | ANDREW FREEMAN HOME

FAULT TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU…WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

MCFADDEN I was born in St Louis and moved to New York with a fabulous fashion detour in Atlanta that started my career as a designer.

FAULT WHAT IS YOUR FIRST DESIGN MEMORY? AND HOW DID YOU BEGIN?

MCFADDEN Like most children,  I started drawing as soon as I could hold a crayon, but for me it felt like a ‘Beautiful Mind.’ Everything I saw, I drew.  My first design memory is hand sewing clothes for my Raggedy Anne doll when I was about 6 years old. I still have it. Fast forward to my first actual design experience. I did a fashion illustration for my junior prom. I showed it to my cousin, Karen, who was a phenomenal seamstress. and she made it for me.  I couldn’t sew, yet, so I learned about fabric and proportion from her. 

FAULT DO YOU REMEMBER MAKING YOUR FIRST HAT? WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION?

MCFADDEN The first hat that I made was a 1920s cloche. I collaborated with friends for the photo shoot. I love the era for the fashion, the energy and pushing boundaries. One of my favorite illustrators is Erte and I collected vintage clothes and accessories them. So I styled it with all my passions coming together for the shoot.

FAULT WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL?

MCFADDEN I always wanted to be an artist.

FAULT YOU ALSO MADE JEWELRY AT ONE POINT? 

MCFADDEN I tried different creative outlets. I mentioned before that I used to draw all the time. Before my formal training in fashion design, I made clothes, illustrated for other designers, made clay and wired earrings, cocktail bags, bridal ensembles, recovered furniture, did some decorating, cut hair, probably more I can’t think of. 

FAULT WHO IS THE LISA MCFADDEN WOMAN?

MCFADDEN My clients love the arts and care about supporting that community. They are independent thinkers, physical and intellectual travelers who like to try new things and enjoy a hands-on approach to their fashion style. 

FAULT WHAT FUELED THIS PARTICULAR SPRING SUMMER 2022 COLLECTION?

MCFADDEN This collection’s inspiration is two fold. My family was preparing for a vacation to Cuba in 2019 when the boarders were abruptly closed. We were disappointed like so many other people who were excited to experience the people and the culture. Then came the pandemic and everyone in the world was closed off from each other, their goals and plans. This collection celebrates the perseverance of dreams deferred and the tenacity of imagination.

FAULT WHERE DO YOU DRAW INSPIRATION FROM? WHAT IS YOUR DESIGN PROCESS?

MCFADDEN Inspiration happens very organically for me. I don’t especially follow trends, but I do listen to my clients. As a business owner, my design process is multi-faceted. I make different types of hats, so how I approach them varies but I can say that it begins and ends with how the client wants to feel.

FAULT WHEN YOU’RE NOT MAKING HATS, WHAT ELSE BRINGS YOU JOY? WHERE ELSE CAN WE FND YOU?

MCFADDEN Creative expression, in almost any form, brings me joy. I used to dance swing and lindyhop. I love the music, the history and the energy. 

FAULT WHAT IS YOUR FAULT?

MCFADDEN My fault is whatever I put out into the world. I try to keep it positive.