INTERVIEW with HAKS || Brisbane Fashion Festival 2026 Designer (Hancock Prospecting Next Gen Group Show)

SD: Hi, HAKS. For my readers who don’t know you yet, can you please introduce yourself?

LH: I’m Lucy Haks, a designer born and raised in Central Queensland, where I developed a deep appreciation for art, fashion, music, and culture from an early age.

More than a decade ago, I moved to Brisbane to pursue opportunities within the fashion industry. Since then, I’ve explored many facets of the field, but design has always remained at the forefront, ultimately shaping both my creative identity and the foundation of HAKS.

Founded on a philosophy of natural nonchalance, HAKS embodies a quiet confidence that embraces simplicity, versatility, and ease. Through thoughtful design, fair sizing, and gender-neutral silhouettes, the label creates pieces that feel considered, inclusive, and effortlessly wearable. At its core, HAKS is about clothing that allows people to feel comfortable, confident, and authentically themselves.

SD: What challenges did you face when you started up your own label, and what advice would you give young aspiring designers?

LH: It’s still very early days for HAKS, so I feel like I’m learning something new every day. One of the biggest challenges has been navigating the constant process of experimentation: refining sewing techniques, developing silhouettes, testing fabrics, and learning how to translate an idea into a product that feels true to the brand.

Beyond the creative side, building a label also requires finding the right people to support and challenge you behind the scenes. Whether it’s mentors, industry professionals, manufacturers, or business advisors, surrounding yourself with people who genuinely believe in your vision is invaluable.

My biggest piece of advice to aspiring designers is to remain open to feedback and never stop learning. Share your ideas, ask questions, and listen to different perspectives. Some of the most valuable insights I've received have come from family, friends, teachers, and members of the industry.

For me, family has always been at the heart of HAKS. Their encouragement, honesty, and perspective have played a significant role in shaping both who I am as a designer and the direction of the brand. Building a label can feel overwhelming at times, but having a strong support network and staying true to your vision makes all the difference.

SD: Does art in all its forms play a major part in your life?

LH: Absolutely. Art has played a significant role in my life for as long as I can remember.

Some of my earliest creative influences came from my family. My Grandfather was an artist, as is my Aunt, and growing up my family always joked that I would be the next generation. Looking back, I think there was a lot of truth in that.

Over the years, I’ve explored creativity through many different mediums: drawing, painting, ceramics, cooking, paper craft, sewing, and now fashion design. Each form has taught me something different about storytelling, process, and self-expression.

I think that’s why HAKS feels so natural to me. Rather than being inspired solely by fashion, the brand is informed by art in all its forms. Whether it’s a painted stripe transformed into a textile print or the appreciation of handcrafted details, art continues to shape the way I approach design and create collections.

SD: How do you select the materials that are used in the clothes?

LH: Sustainability is something I consider from the very beginning of the design process. My goal isn't to create products that feel disposable, but pieces that capture a moment in time and are made to be worn, loved, and lived in for years to come.

Because of this, I gravitate towards natural fibres. Not only are they a more conscious choice, but they also age beautifully, becoming softer and developing character with wear. I believe clothing should evolve alongside the person wearing it.

Living in Queensland has also had a significant influence on the way I design. The climate naturally guides many of my fabric choices, leading me towards breathable, lightweight materials that provide comfort without compromising on style. For HAKS, functionality and longevity are just as important as aesthetics.

SD: What are your plans for the future, and what can we expect in the coming years?

LH: The immediate focus for HAKS is building a strong foundation for sustainable growth and making the brand more accessible to a wider audience. While the journey is still evolving, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and the potential to expand beyond the runway and into a more permanent space for customers to engage with the brand.

Beyond that, I’m excited to continue evolving the brand season after season: refining silhouettes, exploring new fabrications, and expanding the visual language of HAKS. Storytelling will always remain at the heart of what I do, whether that’s through colour, pattern, texture, or shape.

As HAKS grows, I’m committed to continuing the brand’s focus on inclusivity through thoughtful sizing, versatile silhouettes, and designs that can be worn and interpreted by a diverse range of people. My hope is to build a label that feels welcoming, accessible, and authentic. One that people connect with not only for the garments themselves, but for the stories, values, and sense of ease they embody.

SD: Without giving too much detail away, what should we expect from your collection for Brisbane Fashion Festival 2026?

LH: The collection builds upon ideas that have become central to HAKS, while pushing them into new territory. It’s an evolution of previous work, revisiting familiar silhouettes and signatures through a fresh lens.

You can expect the return of the HAKS paint stroke print, reimagined in a new colour palette, alongside an exploration of texture, proportion, and movement. The collection continues to celebrate the balance between ease and structure, while remaining true to the brand’s philosophy of natural nonchalance.

I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s a collection that feels both familiar and evolved. A reflection of where HAKS is now and where it’s heading next.

Tickets are going fast. See HAKS on the runway. Buy your tickets HERE

Brisbane Fashion Festival Website: https://brisbanefashionfestival.com/
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Brisbane Fashion Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brisbane.fashionfestival/

HAKS’ Social Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haks.au/

Photo Credits:

First Photo: Model Lucinda Davidson and photo taken by Lianne Cumming
Second Photo: Model Bon Chris and photo taken by Lianne Cumming