Miranda Brown's favourite things

Fashion and textile designer Miranda Brown photographed at home wearing a purple dress which is one of her favourite things. Photo / Babiche Martens

Miranda Brown is no ordinary designer. Her label Miranda Brown: Conscious Cloth reflects her desire to "lift the human spirit above consumption to share an experience that quenches the mind, body and soul".

How? By using mainly natural fabrics, engaging in fair trade practices and ensuring everything is made in New Zealand. But Brown's creativity is not just concentrated on clothing; she also creates textiles, homewares and installations and is about to launch a new website and online store.

"My aim," says Brown, "is to ensure the best quality and processes make as low an impact as possible on our planet, while adding value to people's lives.

"I'm inspired by creative theories, viewing the world from a place of union, collaboration and co-creation. As a designer I'm really interested in how we can be really proactive in creating a dynamic, healthy and exciting way of life."

Brown is currently working on her summer women's range which has graphic art based on the head of a sunflower from her garden. "The spiral pattern is based on geometry called 'golden mean', another example of nature's immense intelligence and sophistication. This artwork will roll out onto our interior range of cushions which people can find on our new website." See mirandabrown.co.nz for more.

10 FAVOURITE THINGS

1. Daniel Blanchard artwork

This is my prize possession and has taken about five years to pay off in contra - Dan's house is now filled with MB design. I love the light on his work and use of abstract pattern and texture. Symbols often speak louder than words.

2. Ceramics

I love ceramic work. It's a toss-up between my Raewyn Atkinson Kina Vessel and my Nick Holland blue bowl. Both are beautiful forms and possess exquisite texture and life.

3. Purple dress

My favourite piece of apparel is one of my designs made from hand-dyed fabric. The colour and shibori pattern is particularly special and something I could never repeat. I love hand-built craft blended with technology.

4. Glass bead necklace

I just got this beautiful hand-beaded glass necklace from a store in Wellington - Kwanzaa. This beautiful man brings goods in from Africa and Morocco and has a direct link with the makers, ensuring that they're paid, not middle-men. I'm inspired to work with him and other fair trade groups.

5. The Guggenheim

A favourite art travel moment is captured in a photo of mine taken outside the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, with a giant teddy bear made of flowers. I love the scale and design of this titanium building contrasted with the fruitiness of floral Ted.

6. 10 Conditions of Love

This is a doco about Rebiya Kadeer of East Turkistan. An amazing leader of our time who has relentlessly challenged the Chinese government for their oppression and genocide of the Uyghur people. She is an incredible manifestor and change maker. (10conditionsoflove.com)

7. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue

This is a beautiful poetic, philosophical and spiritual gift - you breathe this book in on a heart and soul level, you don't read it with your head. The circle of life dwells here.

8. Ted: Ideas worth spreading

This is a great inspirational website that features people doing amazing things on this planet. Very inspiring to tune into what is happening and what is possible. (ted.com)

9. My iPhone

I just love it because it's sexy and incredibly clever ... I can go online anytime, use YouTube, write emails and Twitter, and I love the touch technology.

10. Pacific Mandala weaving

I picked this up from the Pasifika Festival along with a small set of coasters. I love Pacific weaving and the beautiful women that create these traditional works of art from the Islands.