Millburn [Clothing]: Stencils and Style

Who said that Canada doesn’t have an emerging streetwear offering? Millburn by Owen Milburn is set to change that notion. Owen brings garments to life with hand printed graphics, paint-splattered effects, vibrant colours, an abundance of personality… oh, and an owl.

Owen’s background stems from the hip-hop scene in Victoria. He went on to study Interactive Art at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. There he pushed his creative boundaries, focusing largely on installation and new media art. His talents are evident in his new media art works, most recently as part of an installation for Evan Biddell’s afterparty at L’Oreal Fashion Week.

After launching the short-lived but fashion-forward clothing line A.D.D., Owen relocated to Toronto. Being the entrepreneurial soul, he rebranded his designs in a rather ironic way – this line had no name, but instead boasted a stenciled image of his face as the logo. Owen launched this project in the best way he saw possible – out of Kensington Market, a community known to foster and grow local talent organically. Renting space in the front yard of a Kensington shop one summer, he made stenciled t-shirts with paint rollers and a propane heater. Owen was a portable artist, carrying his business home in a backpack when he was done.

His current line in the making, Millburn, is geared to launch in Spring/Summer 2009. With it, he intermingles urban culture and Canadiana themes like wildlife imagery and First Nations influences. The line incorporates organic fibres as well as environmentally friendly paints and dyes, keeping in tune with the sustainable clothing movement. There’s a touch of Owen in each item of clothing as they are hand stenciled with love.

So what is it about Toronto that appealed to this young designer and what is it that keeps him there? “There’s something unapologetic about Toronto that I like. I think Toronto’s fashion sense is really underrated, but it’s interesting. Local stores are really open to supporting local designers and I’ve seen some good success with boutiques in Toronto.” A strong work ethic blended with a creative mind is sure to see Owen Milburn to great successes – watch out world, here comes the owl.

Look out for the launch of the new line at www.millburn.ca

Words: Gloria Chik
Photography: Natasha Ndlovu
Styling: Toyo Tsuchiya