How This Artist Sees Fashion as a Form of Art
On our Women in Arts Network website, we are delighted to feature an interview with Kira Bayliss, a creator who has found her path by merging art and fashion into one continuous dialogue. In this conversation, Kira shares how creativity has always been a part of her life, shaped early on by her mother’s creative journey and carried forward into her own practice of wearable art.
She takes us through her philosophy of turning everyday clothing into living canvases, pieces that don’t just cover the body but carry stories, emotions, and connections. Kira opens up about the challenges of balancing her many roles as a mother, wife, chef, and artist, and how creativity remains a grounding force that keeps her moving forward.
We also learn about her process working closely with fabrics, textiles, and unexpected materials like spray paint, natural stencils, and wire to create sculptural garments. She reflects on the moments of clarity that tell her when a piece is coming together, her hopes for future collaborations and exhibitions, and her vision of wearable art as an evolving, interactive form of storytelling.
This interview offers not only a closer look at Kira’s background and practice but also her aspirations for where her work might go towards wider exposure, gallery settings, and the chance to see her creations worn in meaningful ways. Above all, she leaves us with a piece of advice for emerging artists: persistence matters, and the journey is just as important as the outcome.
Kira Bayliss Clothing Creativity is embedded deep within. Creativity gives me purpose and allows me to express myself. Innovation to me is the ability to shape your vision, breathe life into it, and create something entirely new into existence. I strive to push boundaries. Create pieces that are unique and true to my vision. My work explores the relationship between fashion and art. Fashion and art share a spirited and reciprocal relationship, continually influencing and inspiring one another.
Narrating and storytelling each piece to create a visual experience. Transforming everyday fashion into living canvases. – where art meets identity, and self-expression becomes wearable. Envision a world where clothing is not just worn, but felt, seen, and experienced as a form of personal storytelling and connection. Drawing inspiration from nature, colours and textures that surround me. Clothing crafted with meticulous attention to detail, prioritising quality over quantity. Exclusive, custom-made wearable art pieces.
1. How did you get started in your art career?
Never was there a time that art wasn’t a part of my childhood. My mother (Yvonne Dixon) was studying art, and I loved watching her create and explore different techniques of art. We worked on our pieces in our lounge room together. As a child, I sent my art to an author, and she would write back to me, offering tips to improve my artwork. Moving away from canvas and wood, I chose to explore wearable art. I work with my mum on all of my pieces. She is my creative soulmate. And we are constantly exploring new techniques and textiles.
Something clicks and there’s a clear alignment between intent and outcome. Clarity emerges and the vision shapes. Progress feels natural rather than forced.
Kira Bayliss
2. When you’re creating something new, what makes you pause and say, This is working?
Something clicks, and there’s a precise alignment between intent and outcome. Clarity emerges, and the disconnect begins to align; the vision takes shape. Emotional resonance and excitement begin. Progress feels natural rather than forced.
3. How do you balance your personal life with your art career?
This is a very tricky part. I’m a mum, wife, and I work as a chef. I can’t escape my creativity, it’s something I need to keep me calm and gives me purpose. It’s a juggle to balance work, home life and my passion. Somehow,I make it work. It’s easier now that the kids are a bit older and I have a supportive husband and family.
4. How do you envision the future of your art and its impact on the world?
I want to keep growing and exploring new techniques. I want more exposure. To keep working and collaborating with fellow artists. I hope people can enjoy my work. I want to show my work in an exhibition setting. Have my wearable art pieces amongst art installations. To see influential people wearing my work in editorial forms.
Creativity gives me purpose and allows me to express myself. Innovation to me is the ability to shape your vision, breathe life into it, and create something entirely new into existence.
Kira Bayliss
5. What mediums and techniques do you primarily work with?
Fabrics and textiles. I like using spray paint and paint. I use natural objects as stencils and inspiration for my art pieces. I also enjoy using wire to create wearable sculptures.
6. Do you have any parting words of wisdom for our readers or aspiring artists?
Be persistent and don’t give up on your dreams. It’s never easy, but if you get a glimpse of success, it’s worth all the struggle and stress. Your worth is not judged by what people think but by what you feel about yourself.
Kira Bayliss’s work is about transforming fashion into something more than clothing. She approaches each piece as a form of storytelling, where fabrics, textures, and sculptural elements come together to create wearable experiences.
Through her journey, we learn how art can move beyond traditional mediums and find new life in the everyday, how persistence fuels progress, and how collaboration and family can become central to a creative practice. Her path reminds us that innovation often begins with curiosity, and that balancing passion with life’s responsibilities is both challenging and rewarding.
To learn more about Kira, visit the links below.
