The creator behind the uniquely named Milky Plug Kid, known only as Danny, describes themselves as “the shy attention seeking designer” of fabulous fashion fantasy masks.
However when asked if they are a fashion designer or a maker, Milky says: “I am more of a maker. I am a gestalt processor which means I work by process of elimination backwards after I have my desired theme I want to achieve!”
HOW IT ALL BEGAN …
Milky began creating their distinctive masks and other glamorous garments for their own drag performances.
“Initially, I started designing for myself for drag and I began creating masks in November of 2023, deciding to enrol in a live performance and technical services for costume [course] in 2024,” they explain.
“I have always been interested in expression, or the lack thereof. I am from a very remote island off the coast of South Astralia and growing up queer I was taught to blend into the community for safety; which I didn’t do very well.
“I was definitely the only emo. After leaving school and moving to the mainland, I started experimenting with my appearance in safer atmospheres like Adelaide, London, and Scotland before coming to Melbourne.
“I became interested when I began unmasking, noticing I had a lot of motivation towards others and their desires but not for any of mine. Coming from a hair background of 15 years, it felt time to be able to spend some time on just myself and see how I was developing a new identity. Ironically, masks stuck around when unmasking was my intention.”
The brand – and identity – name came from a joke, says Milky: “It was a joke me and a friend were laughing about when someone who matched with them on a dating app initiated conversation with ‘will you be my raw milk plug?’. The jokes rolled from there. I won’t go into the details too much further on record. Ha!”
Despite the distinct concept of Milky Plug Kid, its creator says the brand’s launch was not intentional.
“It was unintentional if I’m totally honest, especially as these commitments were not expected – as I’m fairly fresh. I was just playing around and I started to put some stuff online to see how it went, and it gained a little traction.
“The inflow of beautiful words from people all over the planet just helped keep that flame burning – grateful. But feeling insecure in my old life while moving into my new life, I was hoping to make the right choices, picking logical and sensible steps to move forward to the goal of looking stunning and weird and getting paid for it.
“All the steps along the way are teaching me the beginnings of a lot of different industries that I can dabble in if they peak my interest!”
INSPIRED BY THE ‘90S AND SUSTAINABILITY
According to Milky, their main inspirations come from 1990s cartoons and fictional characters, as well as one particular show.
“Ed, Edd n Eddy immediately comes to mind. My references stem from 90s childhood cartoons, or 90s fictional characters from folklore or literature. Japanese Harajuku style and A-line fashion are intriguing to me with the textures and layering, they explain.
Current inspirations include performance artist Jeauni Cassanova, Dutch fashion couturier and artist Iris Van Herpen, artistic drag queen isshehungry, and Spanish fashion designer Miguel Adrover.
As for the brand concept, Milky describes it as a blend of “whimsical, simplistic design elements” and nostalgia from their 90s childhood.
“It focuses on creating unique, expressive pieces that challenge conventional aesthetics, using upcycled and recycled materials to promote sustainability. The brand seeks to provide a platform for self-expression and individuality, transforming everyday items into wearable art that evokes both nostalgic obscurity and conceptual caricature streetwear.
“I use a lot of hard rubbish and things I find in the street. I use mainly op shop fabric and recycle old clothing from friends and donate the stuff I don’t need to the local charity shop.
“[My aesthetic] is a 90s shy attention seeker but I love other interpretations. Casual daywear perhaps? Lol.”
From a broader perspective there is a modern primitivism that underlies the shapes and concepts of Milky’s work with perhaps unconscious references to the tribal masks of Papua New Guinea and African Tribal Masks. The oversized eyes, the flattened noses and distortion of mouth shapes also echo the traditional shapes of Japanese Noh Theatre masks.
Milky’s garments that accompany the masks are created from layers of fabric embellished with hand stitched details and have a naive, childlike quality in some cases juxtaposed with more traditionally ‘sexy’ shapes that are fitted, low-cut or short. The overall effect is one of clashing sensibilities.
While still at the emerging stage of their design career, Milky has big goals, but is “happy to land wherever I do”.
“The goal is being a recognisable designer with an individualist aesthetic and having the ability to integrate into different platforms, widening my reach. But I want to focus on the now, so my only goal I’m focusing on right now is completing this year and being happy – then reassessing for the next step.”
You can follow Milky Plug Kid at @milkyplugkid.
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