When RADISH met... Mariel Osborn

Mariel is a freelance prop maker, set designer, stylist, textile artist and event dresser based near Manchester. We have long admired her joyful signature backdrops and tassel buntings, so were thrilled to be able to shoot her (alongside her work) in a few of her favourite RADISH picks. (One day we will commission Mariel to make us our own glittery immersive installation for a party!) Here she gives us a little insight and background into her wonderful shimmery world…

Can you tell us a bit about you, your background and how it lead you to the work you are doing now? 

I fell in love with haute couture fashion at a young age, and after thinking I wanted to be a fashion designer for a long time, I discovered the beauty and complexity of surface embellishment. This lead me to study a degree in Embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University where I pursued an obsession with the way that hundreds of multiple components can work together to create brand new surfaces which behave in completely new ways to the original ingredients - dense beads, pegs on fabric, ice cubes threaded and layered up. I was obsessed with laying these on to the body, but I didn't quite know where to go with it or how. On leaving uni I eventually started some fashion stylist assisting work, but soon became much more interested in dressing and styling sets. This and my making skills lead me to prop making and designing pieces for commercial fashion sets, and then eventually the two world collided, and I've ended up making these large, almost textile pieces which are often used as set dressings or installations in venues. The colours and reflections glow and change in different lighting setting, and can completely transform a space or atmosphere.

What inspires you in the everyday? 

I'm really heavily inspired by colour and textures. I'm always touching walls and jumpers and flowers and rocks... the depth and complexity of fragments of textures that make up the world is so intriguing, and the way that colours can combine to make you feel certain things is so powerful. If I'm feeling low or uninspired, I'll often dress all in pink, or layer up different colours to make me feel empowered, or tougher than I'm actually feeling that day. 

Do you collect anything?

I historically have a bit of a problem with collecting things... I'd probably collect everything if I could - THINGS are so interesting, and again, multiples of them even more so, but I have married a minimalist who is helping me declutter (as much as I can) so I am learning to embrace a moment of joy with an object, or the feeling of something, without holding on to it physically forever. 

I have lots of tiny fragments of shells and rocks because it's literally a piece of the earth's history in your hand, and looking at them and holding them feels like some magical connection to the planet.  

I also have a stash of gorgeous fabrics - it can be hard to cut in to them sometimes, and looking at a piece can feel like a whole world of potential, using it to make something can feel like a lot of pressure.

My need to collect is also tied to darker side - The guilt I feel about throwing things away is unreal. The amount of "stuff" that humans produce makes me feel sick, and it makes me want to find a home for everything. When I was little, I used to hide all of my used felt tip pens because I felt so bad about the plastic cases going in the bin. 

What are you listening to at the moment in the studio?

I'm always listening to Adam Buxton's podcast, I pray that he never stops doing it, and also the ‘Why Women Grow’ podcast - it's so wholesome and affirming, and it's one of my favourite things to listen to women talking about their work and then their obsession with growing things too.

I generally listen to a lot of electronic music. The fast pace keeps me on track and stops me from checking my emails and social media constantly. Some days I just need to listen to ‘Home’ by LCD Soundsystem on repeat. What an incredible song.

Where are your dream travel spots?

I'm obsessed with Australia and the Portuguese coast. The blazing sun and the crazy rocks make me feel like I'm on another planet, and the people that live near that are really cool too. It's my dream to live in Australia one day.

What do you always find yourself bringing home from trips? 

Pastries if I can! Otherwise nice clothes that I couldn't get at home, but mostly millions of photos of textures, colours, shadows, shapes and plants.  

What’s the most important piece of advice you have been given? 

To always try and find the joy in your day. Even when you are having a really bad time, try and find something in your day that brings you joy, and it can pull you through, keep you going, or totally turn your world upside down.

We love you in RADISH. Do you have a favourite piece, and why? 

I love the textures and the bold colours of these dresses. Gracie is my favourite, she's floaty and layered but with just the right amount of structure. I think the colour choices are really nice, they're not pastels that hide away, they're delicate dresses that make a statement.

What are your favourite independent shops/brands? 

I recently moved to Stockport and the indies that are setting up here are amazing! Still Life Story, Emiko, Rare Mags, On The Brink Studio are some of my faves. Good people making waves in the community.

What’s on your Christmas wish list? 

Well as you can see, I am expecting, so generally lots of things for the baby, but I am also always asking for cut flower bulbs for my garden, different types of tulips and roses and peonies. I just want to look out of my window and see the colours and textures of flowers.

Mariel wears our Gracie dresses, alongside her handmade gold backdrops. You can find more out about Mariel here @marielosborn / marielosborn.co.uk

Photography of Mariel by Elle Brotherhood Photography / Instagram: @ellebrotherhood /  ellebrotherhood.com