Instead of making froufrou frocks inspired by chicken-scratch sketches, Millie Fairhall, a self-taught artist who walked out of her fine arts course just three months into the program, builds knowledge from her travels, the people whose lives happen to crash into hers and the raw energy of music. This Filipina-Australian’s creativity was hard to ignore and when Volcom USA, one of the leading surf brands in the world, saw her potential, they immediately hired her as an artist for garment prints, advertising material and design layouts. Though creatively content with Volcom, Millie felt the need to design her own line of clothing when she couldn’t find any to complement the type of life she led.
"We were skateboarding one day and the shirt I was wearing kept riding up. I spent more time hitching my tee down than actually skating. It annoyed me that there were no girls’ tees out there that had a nice body cut, but longer length. The only option was to wear a guy’s shirt. So I started out making a girl’s shirt with longer length and shape to fit the ladies," she recalls.
She decided to form Eillim, a play on her name that she’s used ever since she was a little girl. She may be a surfer and skateboarder but Millie says that doesn’t mean she covers her designs in hibiscus flowers and dolphins. Her designs are raw, usually done in black or gray ink and are inspired by her childhood. "I spent a lot of time as a kid sitting in front of an old TV watching Pippi Longstocking, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins and Punky Brewster and it mentally scarred me in a positive way!" she laughs. A few other pieces of inspiration would be frolicking in the sunshine, singing badly under the moon, her boyfriend Sam and pet monkey Mon. With inspiration coming from so many angles, it’s no surprise that her clothes are as eclectic as her take on life. Beautiful pinafores in candy colors, raw graphic tees, pink trucker hats, era-inspired designs on vintage brown cloth… the list is as endless as what’s inside Millie’s head.
Eillim designs have often been spotted in the Philippines being worn by top surfers and skateboarders in remote places like Siargao, Daet and La Union. People were frantically looking for where to buy them but nobody knew of a store that carried the brand. Millie wanted it that way, with every piece done by hand. No two pieces are exactly alike, and she insists on only making 40 max of every design. She also enjoys using vintage fabric, which means that the supply usually runs out before the demand is quenched.
Millie shares her take on fashion: "I don’t make outfits. I only make individual pieces so the wearer can adapt it to their own style and comfort. It’s not about dictating somebody’s style, it’s more like giving them an eccentric piece so they can run with it in whatever direction they choose."
With a funky name for each design, like "The clouds hung around like black Cadillacs," you’re definitely owning something with love, hard work, and a bit of craziness put into it.
If I were a pet I would be… a monkey. Sometimes cute, majority of the time intelligent, but mostly crude.
I am most afraid of… not living while I’m alive.
I am happiest when… being silly with people I think are delightful!
I hate… people who try to drag others down just because they have their own issues. And pretentious fashion-wanks.
The color… fawn brown… makes me sad.
The color… bright pink… makes me happy.
My favorite beach is… either Happy’s Beach or Moffats Point in Australia; Venice Beach in California. I also love Siargao Island, specifically Herbert Beach. There are too many amazing beaches in the Philippines and around the world.
When I surf I feel… freedom.
Filipinos are… gracious.
Australians are… now diverse.
Love is… a zenith of war, peace and freedom.
Eillim is… the cracked one that let the light in.
Beaches are… my escape.
My happy scent is… frangipani flowers, tomato plant leaves and mangoes.
If I had to name a child in the future, he/she would probably be called… Frankie.
Eillim can be found at the I Love You Store at 7840 Pilar Place, Makati Ave., Makati. Check out her website at www.eillim.com.