Live by action: Maria Biggs’ bold leap into fashion

Maria Biggs, a seasoned fashion designer, took her first steps into the fashion industry two years ago, when she launched her fashion label, Vivi al ago. The name of her brand, which means “Live by action” in Esperanto, symbolizes her audacity to chase her dreams.

Biggs’ latest collection, presented at the Tasmanian Fashion Festival, exudes the sophistication and simplicity that her brand aims to define. Recognizing the emerging trend for slow fashion, Biggs emphasizes the importance of reducing waste and creating wardrobe items with lasting appeal. She envisions her clothes as perpetual pieces that can transition seamlessly between different seasons due to their minimalistic and classic charm.

Having spent her entire life in Tasmania since relocating with her family in 1970, Biggs, born in Corfu, Greece, has always maintained a strong connection to her homeland. Her Greek heritage, she says, heavily influences her design aesthetic. Corfu’s picturesque landscapes and the simplicity of Greek culture manifest themselves in her products, an influence she traces back to her own minimalist style, a trait she inherited from her mother.

Even after spending a substantial amount of time in Australia, Biggs felt a distinct emotional connection when she revisited Corfu at the age of 19 and then again in 2010. Her fondness for the island and Greek culture is evident in her collections.

Fashion is more than just a personal interest for Biggs, it’s in her blood. Her mother, a dressmaker, was an inspirational figure, regularly creating unique outfits based on Biggs’ designs. This creative environment fostered a love for fashion in her own daughters too, who are both thriving in the fashion industry themselves.

Both her personal connection to Greece and her passion for fashion continue to thrive, as Maria has made yearly trips to Corfu since 2010, spending more and more time there. However, her travel plans were put on hold when the pandemic struck. Still, turning adversity into opportunity, Biggs decided to use this time creatively to realize a dream she had nurtured from a young age.

Throughout her exploration of the fashion industry, Biggs noticed a significant emphasis on younger demographics. She felt the desire to create captivating, high-quality pieces centered on elegance, minimalism, and her demographic. Aided by her business partner, Alexandra Harvey, who shares her Greek heritage and vision for the brand, Biggs has been able to see considerable growth in her label.

Biggs’ fashion journey is an embodiment of her belief in following one’s dreams, regardless of their age. She argues, regardless of the outcome, a wealth of learning and experience is gained from the endeavor. A proud advocate for women recognizing their worth and embracing their independence, she encourages them to venture out of their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and find purpose in the things they do.

Amidst the hustle of the fashion industry, despite the stress and anxiety that often accompanies a new collection launch, it is the sense of achievement, the uplifting feeling of putting oneself out there and witnessing the fruits of their labor that makes it all worthwhile. For Maria Biggs, the founder of Vivi al ago, life is in deed living by action, embracing the challenges, and celebrating the small triumphs along the way.