Multidimensional Fashion

What is Multidimensional Design and a Designer?

My approach to design has evolved drastically since my time at art school, although my early education provided valuable guidance. I had the privilege of studying at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art, one of the best art schools in the world.

In art school, we learned design primarily through drawing sketches and projects. We were taught to honor our roots and were not allowed to copy others—doing so would result in exclusion. The tutors were very open-minded and encouraged us to express our true selves. Fashion magazines, for example, were seen mainly as sources of inspiration for learning to draw human figures or as examples of what not to copy. That was a useful rule.

Today, I rarely look at fashion magazines or sketch. I might only draw technical instructions for manufacturing when necessary. Our favorite saying among tutors was, “If they say you cannot do it, don’t believe them.” Everything is and has always been possible to create. I follow this advice and, when given an idea, I always seek ways to manifest it.

The Shift in Design Perspective

The major revelation that transformed my entire approach to design occurred in 1999, shortly after beginning a two-year Feng Shui course. I realized how profoundly our clothing affects our energy fields and aura.

My co-students—who could sense energies—provided positive feedback that played a significant role in my spiritual awakening in fashion. I became aware of the possibility of designing holistically to dress the entire human essence: body, mind, spirit, and soul. This insight formed the foundation of my multi-layered IAMMAI design concept.

Multidimensional design is a conscious collaboration. There’s an ancient, yet often forgotten, spiritual dimension in fashion that must be recognized. I became aware of my own spiritual and elemental design team, which manifests in various instances. If we wish to create environmentally harmonious fashion and products, we need to work in harmony with nature, elementals, and universal energies to ensure our creations are aligned nature and with the whole.

Sustainability goes beyond materials; it involves multiple levels—affecting the individual, the collective, and the environment’s well-being. My team includes dragons (masters of colors), fairies (experts in combining colors and lovers of beauty), and design angels who help me tune into planetary collective energies. Symbolism, geometrical patterns, colors, movemet ect. pay a vital role in my design as their purpose is to resonate with body in a familiar and healing way.

As above, so below. Nothing on this planet exists without a universal counterpart. I work with The Cosmic Fashion Council, which supervises the overall impact of our creations. They also incorporate past, present, and future timelines to ensure our designs encompass all aspects.

When I received my initial insight into this new design paradigm on May 2nd, 1999, I was completely overwhelmed. There were no words to describe it. I had to let go of everything I had previously worked on and open myself to this new perspective. That moment marked my emergence as an Out-of-the-Box designer. Over time, I received further insights into the purpose, future directions, and the new fashion era that humankind is poised to embrace.

"Multidimensional design can also be taught, and I hope that art schools will take an interest in it."

Mai Niemi, Fashion Artist, Textile Designer B.A.hons, ESOF Feng Shui designer