Local artist profile: Bodes

THIS week we chat with local alternative fashion designer Josh Bodenstaff (Bodes), who said one small act of rebellion soon transformed into a creative outlet that has grown into a full-fledged fashion line with a distinctly artistic edge.

What initially motivated you to take up designing alternative fashion?

My journey into alternative fashion began with something simple: boredom.

I was uninspired by the narrow, repetitive choices offered in mainstream menswear and wanted more than just the expected.

So, I started experimenting – at first, by painting stencils and artistic designs onto plain shirts.

That small act of rebellion soon transformed into a creative outlet that has grown into a full-fledged fashion line with a distinctly artistic edge.

How would you describe your style and how did you develop it?

What I do now falls under what I call alternative fashion.

It’s not just about clothing; it’s about turning everyday materials into expressions of self.

What began with art shop stencils expanded into using everyday objects as tools for design – leaves from a mulberry tree helped me form a “Tree of Life” design, and painting tape gave rise to crystal-like effects on fabric.

Each technique is experimental, each piece unique.

It’s less about following a trend and more about telling a story through texture, shape, and colour.

As the practice evolved, so did the materials.

I started sourcing beautiful, unexpected fabrics from across Australia – boutiques in Sydney, vintage stores in Melbourne, and art shops in remote Indigenous communities.

These places inspired me not just with what I could find, but with the people I met, and the stories shared.

Every fabric holds meaning; every pattern, every brushstroke has an origin that feels deeply connected to the land and culture around me.

Which other fashion designers inspire you?

Inspiration doesn’t come from just one place or person.

I wouldn’t say I follow a single artist – I’m more drawn to abstract art in general.

Abstract forms and compositions spark something within me that I can’t always explain, but that always seems to find its way into my work.

It’s in the negative space, the unexpected colour pairings, the off-balance symmetry – these are the things that excite me creatively.

What are some highlights or fond memories you have from your career so far?

I’ve been lucky to have my work showcased publicly in exhibitions like Queer Country and United Artists, which have been some of the proudest moments of my career so far.

Having that kind of platform to share my vision and connect with people who resonate with it is incredibly fulfilling.

Another highlight was wearing one of my own pieces at Melbourne Fashion Week, where the response was overwhelmingly positive.

That moment validated everything I’d been working toward.

How can people check out your work online?

Today, I continue to explore and push the boundaries of what wearable art can be.

My Instagram page – #_bodes_art2fashion – is where you can find many of my latest pieces and projects.

Are you working on anything new at the moment?

I’m currently working on a new collection, with the hope of being featured in another exhibition in November 2025.

There’s a lot in motion, and I’m excited to see where it goes.

What would you say to young regional aspiring designers who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

If you’re thinking of diving into your own creative journey, my advice is simple: Give it a go.

You never know where a small idea – or a single painted shirt – might lead you.