California is a place envied by the rest of the world, known for its diversified population comprising of the young, bronze, and beautiful. Gulf Shores, Alabama-bred Lindsey Mickelson recognized this an obvious attribute, but was drawn to the West coast for different reasons. Behind what only the eye could see, Mickelson found comfort and more importantly an artistic voice amidst the boldness of the California energy.
So it was there she migrated, immersing herself in the culture and allowing all inspiration to come as it pleased. While studying Fine Arts at the University of California at Santa Barbara, Mickelson took the opportunity to study overseas in France. Here, the sensual allure intrigued her as well as the inescapable feminine influence on society. She conceptualized a mechanism of combining these two geographically contrasting influences by means of paint, airbrush, screen-print, and canvas. The result was a mass of artwork bearing women of variant faces, each holding the power of sexuality and edge, yet maintaining a hint of naivete and natural repose.
However, Mickelson again sought more than just the visual aspect and decided to manifest a reality out of the women in her pieces; this, she achieved by conceiving of a clothing line, or better yet collection of wearable art, in which the wearer would take on the alike sense of ambition and dominance. So alas, the Cmnd-z (Command Z) brand was born. Each garment is handmade within the cozy walls of Mickelson’s intimate California studio and personalized with stylized cutting techniques by la artista herself.
With an upcoming fall line in the works, she intends to continue conveying the true definition of Cmnd-z: “To undo or go back” (as put by Apple computer terminology). That is, to the sole purpose of artistry being to “selflessly” create from a place of authenticity and truth. And that she does, utilizing this mantra throughout, as an artist, designer, and person.
