Bag fantastic bargains with Dancing Dolls UK exclusive Christmas season: OFFER OF THE WEEK!

ONE OFFER EACH WEEK.
Grab the ultimate party dress with these exclusive 'Offer of the week (OOTW)' pieces from Dancing Dolls UK. Starts 11th November 2011

RRP: £65.00  OOTW Price: £50.00
From 11/11/11- 17/11/11

There is absolutely no denying: the Christmas and New year Party season is approaching- super fast! The only time, I believe, you can go out and party night after night or week after week, without anyone raising an eyebrow or dropping that comment: “Doesn't she has any else better to do than every minute. spending her time and money, partying on down?!”

There is also no denying that it is the time of year, where you will spend like no other. Possibly spending the equivalent of what you usually spend in a whole year in about two months!!

RRP: £85.00 On offer 18 -24/11/11

OOTW Price: £55.00.Thats a saviung of £35.00!

So now, how does one fabulous diva do that and still manage to do that and get herself a diva dress for all those partying events.....

Especially, in these economically challenging times, when everything costs a damn fortune and Mr Recession is still sitting comfortably on the throne.

You could pull out that dress from how many years ago, the one you always wear on a night out- the one, that all your online 'friends' and their online friends, have seen you in, in so many social media albums.

RRP:£70.00 OOTW Price: £50.00 On offer 25/11-01/12/11

Or you could buy that bargain dress, you seen in that cheap shop and pray that only you seen that deal and bought that dress. Until, of course, you go out in it and see everyone and their granny wearing the same damn dress! Yikes!

Or you could buy that bargain dress, you seen in that cheap shop and pray that only you seen that deal and bought that dress. Until, of course, you go out in it and see everyone and their granny wearing the same damn dress! Yikes!

RRP: £70.00 OOFTW Price: £55.00
02/11- 08/12/11

 Or how about you could grab a different kind of bargain from Dancing Dolls UK.

Yes- we care about our dolls out there and yes we are aware of the economical climate, so that is why we are presenting: OFFER OF THE WEEK!

Where for one week only you will be bag one of these fantastic dresses by Dancing Dolls UK at a discounted price (compared to the RRP.)

We are talking hand-made ready-to-wear unique designed clobber! Eeek!

Only available in black, red, golden sand
RRP: £65.00 OOFTW: £40.00 On offer 09-15/12/11

Each week, starting from tomorrow: Friday 11^th November and every Friday until 23^rd December 2011, you can buy the dress, shown as the 'Offer of the week' dress for the reduced price shown on the website.

AND.....just cos Paulinah is good like that! With each 'Offer of the week' dress purchased. You will receive a unique discount code, which you can use for your next purchase from Dancing Dolls UK via our ASOS Marketplace boutique. https://marketplace.asos.com. Search DancingDollsUK.

Now- don't say Dancing Dolls UK don't take of their customers.

Check out all the dresses available during this seasonal period and log onto www.dancingdollsuk.com and click shop to bag that offer. Ciao xoxo

RRP: 80.00 OOTW Price: £65.00
On offer 16-22/12/2011

Midlands Fashion designers awards 2011: Up there with the best of them



Model: Ellie Reeves (Alan Sharman model agency) with myself for the finale of Dancing DollsUK
Image by Adam Fraise

Ok so maybe I didn’t win the award for Emerging designer at the Midlands Fashion Designers awards, but what a way to end the tour of the 2^nd collection- The Beautiful Ugly A/W2011 from Dancing Dolls UK. For that particular show it would not be utterly a lie to say, as some people do, something like: “Well, its the taking part that matters! “ Normally, I never have that attitude! If I’m doing anything I can’t deny that I want to be up there with the best of them.
Of course, I wanted to win. I can’t think anybody entering anything on a competitive level, without hoping and wanting to win. To be  a nominee, most definitely did for a moment have me day dreaming: I could potentially hold the title for Midlands emerging designer 2011...... Snap back to reality! Guess , it’s a bloody good job I am under no illusion that I am the best designer in the Midlands. That would be absurd to even contemplate that! Though I meet some designers, who really believe in their own hype and think they are the shizzle, when really they are pretty medicoure- or in some cases, wiggedy wiggedy-whack!  So yes, I was slightly disappointed, but hey it is what it is and I still can add:  ‘2011 Nominee for Midlands emerging Designer’ to my resume. Whoop! Whoop! Two thumbs up for that.

Sophia Coker by Paul Smith

Janinah Mckenise in Dancing Dolls UK

The show itself, definitely gave Birmingham’s Fashion scene a voice in an industry that has for a long time, not credited Birmingham with having  good enough opportunities or a platform for promoting its design talent. Well- Jenny Eason (the show’s organiser) and the team behind Midlands Fashion  Designer’s awards definitely changed that, with what they did with this year’s show and other shows before.

I cannot lie, after the shows I have done this year in London , Leicester, Leeds and Liverpool (Wow- all those cities, start with the letter L ....I just noticed that now! I was thinking Birmingham, like everyone say ‘ain’t ready!’

Model: Ellen Ferguson in Dancing Dolls UK. Image by Adam Fraise

London, was as expected sharp, smooth, great location, models and team and as accomdationg as everyone was Londoners always have an air that is not as warming as us Northerners- I still love Londoners, so lets not get that twisted. Oh and there were lots of camera....lots. Those ones with the big lenses that make the moment I have to do my finale walk on incredibly nerve racking.

It’s weird to think, that I spent 8 years studying acting and performing. I should be totally comfortable in front of any type of camera at the finale of my collection at a fashion show. I am not. I say: I’m gonna do this or that and most definitely not have that sheepish bemused smile, I always have in all the pictures I see of me at the finale. Yet, as soon as I get out there, everything I was telling myself I would do, doesn’t happen. I grip the models hand, walk watching my feet so I don’t break my neck on stage and do that damn smile! My hands sweat like mad- and I have seen a model laugh and wipe her hands, after when have returned backstage and detached ourselves from each other. I think it’s because when I go out there I am being just me. I am not acting and whether the audience love or hate the collection, they will know that it’s me who put it together.  As a designer, you are putting it all out there, when you emerge at the end of you collections showing. There is no airbrushing or anything else to hide any sins.

Lucky, fellow designer, Tamara Joseph, was taking part in the show too. So, backstage was cool and the support of Paul Smith, Sophia Coker and Chantelle Hall in the audience was fantastic too.

Image by Michael Walker. Leeds Fashion show 2011

Leicester, was more than I had expected: great sponsors, location, set up and performances. Everyone was warm and welcoming so I felt at ease and it also helped that the models were volunteers, so you could feel the essence of their intrigue into everything fashion. Unlike industry models, who are well accustomed to runway shows and completely take it in their stride, only speaking when spoken to.

Leeds, did not disappointment. Long before I became a part of the fashion circle. I knew the Yorkshire area was hub and heart to many higher end Independent Fashion designers and labels. With London generally being the home for High fashion labels.

So on stepping into the backstage area, taken aback- yes, but not surprised by the quality of the work by some of the designers. I  had a moment when I doubted myself and my collection and felt like it wouldn’t measure up to those, who I was to show with. I felt at that time incredibly lonely and vunerable- there was no Tamara Joseph, Paul Smith, Sophia Coker or anyone I really knew. I did brush with a few of my old school friends, who had started their own label, Fresh2 Def clothing and where showing at the event, but besides that it was my collection and I.

Fortuneately, my collection did not disappoint. Backstage comments of : ‘Your collection is bad ass’ and ‘Ooo, I like your collection’ along with the audiences enthaustic applause, left me feeling relieved and exhilarated as I headed back to Birmingham.





Image by Michael Walker

Liverpool- The show itself was a little disappointing, but I had so much fun with team Fashion Pony. So we shall move one.

Finally, homeward bound to the final show for Dancing Dolls UK- The Midlands Fashion designers awards. What a great show to finish on. The set reviled Leeds Fashion show and that was a show...

Aside from the room being a tad too warm- even by my standards and I am one of those “Some like it hot” kinda chicks coupled with the few technical hitches. The show was a huge success for Birmimngham, if I may say so. I will even go as far as saying of all the shows, Birmingham repped the hardest with the calibre of models and we had the best hair team! Ha- Toni & Guy: official sponsors of London Fashion Week.....and I even got my name and Label name projected on the back wall while the models ripped the runway in Dancing Dolls UK.

 Birmingham, stand up tall and brush your shoulders off. Who said that Birmingham has nothing good to offer in Fashion. Yes- all the major opportunities and connections in England are In London, you wouldn’t expect different form the capital city, would you? But thanks to people like Jenny Eason, we ain’t doing to bad and hopefully I won’t have to relocate to London, some time yet.

DANCING DOLLS UK'S DESIGNER PAULINAH EBOH- SAMPSON IS NOMINATED IN THE EMERGING DESIGNERS CATERGORY FOR THE MIDLANDS FASHION DESIGNERS AWARDS

O my days! I have been nominated alongside 7 other independant labels, for the Midlands Fashion Designers awards in the Emerging designer catergory.

The show sponsored by Toni & Guy, Pitcher & Piano, Tights Please, LoveLula.com and Lipsy takes place on the 21st October 2011 at the Fazeley Studios in Birmingham and will be the second time for me to showcase creations from my line at this event.

In October, last year I showcased 7 pieces from my first collection 'Doll Domination' for Dancing Dolls UK.

Although, there was a platform for for Emerging and Independant designers to present their work at this event. There was no recognition prizes awarded to designers in this catergory. The opportunity was to give these designers the chance to raise brand awareness for their line.

However, following this presentation from Dancing Dolls UK, I had pieces from my collection snapped up by Alexis Knox- one of the shows judges and stylist for the Clothes Show Live 2010 and subsquently showcased on the main stage theatre at the NEC in December last year.


Dancing Dolls UK @ Clothes LIve 2010. Image: Andy Baines

This time round, I will be showing 6 pieces from my second collection 'The Beautiful Ugly' A/W 20111 alongside: Tonson Sarayi, 'Luna' by Tanya Kornijenko, Angeleen Masih, Emma Curtis, Lueianna Wang and 'Klue' by Kelly Ann by with models supplied by Alan Sharman agency.

A/W2011 'The Beautiful Ugly' Model: Weoannalyn Cutchin by Gregory Mason

The collection- a collaboration between Dark art airbrushing and Dancing Dolls UK- inspired primarily inspired by voodoo dolls and the voodoo culture with subliminal messages of S&M and slavery, centres on deconstructed and juxtaposition pieces combined in unfinished raw edges, heavily spiked/studded and graffiti blemished garments in fabrictions of signature Italian jersey, silk and lace. All within a palette of petrol blue, warm cream, rich red wine and midnight black

For more information on Dancing Dolls UK. Log onto www.dancingdollsuk.com

Tickets for the Midlands Fashion Designer's award can be purchased on line at www.myfashiondesigners.co.uk, starting from £10.00

Credits

Photographers: Andy baines, Gregory Mason

Models: Nehanda Ferguson, Weoannalyn Cutchin

Dancing Dolls UK....more than cloting for dance. Promotional video 2011. Directed by Paulinah N. Eboh-Sampson

So as you all may or may not know. I made my directorial début with my 2^nd promotional video campaign for Dancing Dolls UK in a short video titled:

Dancing Dolls UK....more than clothing for dance. Promotional campaign 2011 filmed and edited to a track performed by Christina Agulera feat Nicki Minaj, called 'Woo Hoo!' from her album 'Bionic'

Considering, all the drama that ensued the run up to the 2 days of filming, I am cannot be more ecstatic at the end result. I love it soooo much.

I am immensely proud of myself for this one. And, yes I am bragging when I am stating- again, that I created the concept, styled the shoot, chose the location, complied the team, arranged the scenes.... and I even sat for the a painful, eternity-feeling amount of hours, with Paul to go through the raw footage to settle on definite sections (including some fancy looking outtakes) to make the final cut.

To combine all my creative direction into making the project work, was quite exhilarating. I did learn a whole lot more things about video making through it mind.....like creating a story board and actually, writing it down, so that it makes sense to someone else other than yourself, namely the videographer!!!

I think I drove Paul Smith (the main camera man) nuts- who captured all the footage and edited the video from the campaign- trying to explain from the story board in my head, the type of direction I was going for with the project.

I think I also drove him mad making him re-edit, and re-edit, especially as it takes a mini eternity for him to privately upload the video to You-tube each time, for me to say yeah or nay to new additions or effects added.

But well done him, for persevering till the end and using his undeniable ability to edit the video remarkably, adding special effects, that I had never even considered, what more knew would give the video the finish it did.

In fact, well done to all the team that came on board across the 2 days, to produce such a fantastic piece for Dancing Dolls UK. I could have not made the small ideas in  my head come to life without you all.

So coupled with a few cheeky images shot on location by Keddy Davies. Here it is! Enjoy xoxo

Dancing Dolls UK ripping the runway

Model: Elena Luzaic by Andy Sudbury. FotoModa. April 2011

Whilst, fashion shows are great for showcasing an up an coming brand such as Dancing Dolls UK; getting your name out to a wide number of people all at once.

The reality is they can also be quite costly- as the fees that are required for some of these shows, although nowhere near the thousands of pounds required to showcase at say, London Fashion Week or to put on your own fashion show- still, do add up.

They are also time consuming, attending castings and fitting or what ever else the organiser, may feel you need to attend to aid with the smooth running of the show. Not to mention, the pressure, you may feel to add extra show pieces to your collection, solely for the purpose of a runway show.

It is definitely, easy to get caught up with doing show after show and losing sight of why you are doing them.

Therefore, I have become very strategic in which shows, I sign up to.

Once I have showcased one collection at a Fashion show. I will not show the same collection again, if approached by the same organiser.

It is nothing personal, as I have all these organisers to thank for providing me with the opportunity to present my work, but I don't want to over expose my line, and exhaust the collection. So sorry to those, who invited Dancing Dolls UK to take part in their show, in which I have declined.

Having said all of this. At the moment, I am still very much heavily involved in Fashion Shows. Its all systems go for promoting Dancing Dolls UK. “Doll Domination” is in effect.

Now after a 3 month break period of Fashion Showcases, Dancing Dolls UK has begun phase 2 of ripping the runway.

First stop was Leicester, to take part in FASHION GIVES BACK- a charity event for Zimbabwe’s forgotten children at The BMW Styner showrooms on 19^th August 2011. The turn out was amaze! Likewise the response to my collection. Good times.

Its Dancing Dolls UK's number 1 fan: me

And yesterday, I was honoured to be part of ArtsFest 2011 first ever fashion show http://www.artsfest.org.uk/, after being head hunted for the event, which took place at the Council House, Victoria Sq. An amazing venue, that funnily enough I had wished, way back when I had to go back to work as an over grown, overworked and underpaid waitress- I had considered it a good venue and wished to showcase at. L.G (Life's good).

Hopefully, I will be getting some images from the event....and some PR from it!

Next stop, Leeds Fashion show on the 14^th October for the 'Dress Me Beautiful' 2011 http://www.leedsfashionshow.co.uk/. Wooo hoo! Excited. Followed by Liverpool Fashion week (Press night) http://www.liverpoolfashionweek.co.uk/ Eek!.....and then back to my home town. West Middy- for the MFDA, even more excited!

Bwoi. I'm exhausted just thinking about it all.

Promotional material for 'Dress me beautiful' 2011. 14th Oct

Promotional material for Midlands Fashion designers awards

Hope you all can make it! xoxo

Dancing Dolls UK's designer makes directorial debut

Me with model: Jemilla King. Image: Keddy Davies

 Against all the odds, I successfully managed my directorial debut on the 23rd/24th July 2011, in a 2 day video & photo shoot for my clothing line: Dancing Dolls UK.

Not only was I in control of the artistic and creative direction of the shoot. I created the concept, styled the shoot and sourced the team for the project.

The idea and reason behind creating the concept for the shoot was to present the essence of what Dancing Dolls UK is. There has been some confusion as to what the label represents- which is of course a high end high street brand and not a dance company or a clothing line just making dance wear....yes, yes, yes- that is what it was, and as it is no longer that, the change I felt needed to be addressed, in a way that no more misconceived ideas could linger.

So that was the mission: to showcase the brand for all it is in a video of about 5 minutes! Gee- I surely did not anticipate everything else.

Despite months of preparation and planning, the project was plagued with a lot of short comings, which threatened to sink the whole operation.

Now, if I was a God fearing person I would say: “The devil is a liar”....and that, I am, so I guess sticking up my two fingers to Mr Satan and saying 'you're a liar- you lied when you said the show would not go on'. Admittedly after, having to replace at least three quarters of the team I nearly did get to the point where I thought this is a disaster, throwing in the towel and hugging my pillow in tears.

Within weeks of compiling the team for the shoot: 5 dancers, 2 make up artists, 2 camera men, 2 photographers, 5 models, 1 set assistant and 1 hairstylist (wrapped in a dancer) I firstly lost a dancer for reasons I am not entirely sure about, but thankfully, the talent and determination of the lead choreographer and Managing director of the dance company I had enlisted; Tanya Anderson of Fierce Productionz http://www.fierceproductionz.com/ was able to replace the dancer with a member of her team and things seemed to progress further without any more hiccups.

M.U.A: Sukhi with Jemilla

Unfortunately, though the hiccups returned- by the shed loads. And one by one I started losing members of the team. The make up artists had to be replaced at the last minute, due to unforeseen circumstances. I lost 3 dancers- one at the actual shoot! So the remaining 2: Hollie Victoria (2^nd choreographer) and Sinead Cannon remained. Which, meant the pressure was ON!! Especially, on Sinead, bless her- who delivered 10 folds, not only picking up the choreography in one rehearsal, but performing a solo piece she devised herself in accordance to the brief.

Also, one by one the models cancelled their availability for the shoot, all for understandably legitimate reasons, leaving: Jemilla King and Brazilian model Riana Machado.

It became a race against time to ensure that there were enough artists in the team to shoot and rectify the remains of the battered concept.

Still the problems did not stop there, unknown to myself, one of the photographers (who I will not stoop to the low level of naming and shaming, despite my massive urge to do so, for his unprofessional-ism and not having the courtesy to respond to my numerous calls and messages to inform me he was backing out) had somewhere between receiving the brief and being told that it would not be possible to get a face-2-face group meeting for the team, with so many of us not being locally placed- had decided he no longer wished to work with me. Even though, he had approached me to collaborate. I can't place my finger on what his problem was with the project, considering his initial response to the brief....so -onto the next one! That being the talent that is Keddy Davies- a photographer whose work I am not sure, if he is aware is as spectacular as it is; agreed to come on board about 4 hrs.- or less before the shoot on the 24^th July. The other photographer: Sian Robertson, who I also must applaud and mention, still arrived, not in the best of health to cover the photography for day one.-23^rd July.

Check out the sneaky peak of one of Sian's images captured of model, Riana Machado.

I am not even going to go into the problems with the hotel staff not allowing the team into the hotel room or the winos and addicts who badgered us throughout the on location shoot....but hey I- well, we managed to pull it off. And I cannot be more pleased with the great results, I have seen so far and can not wait to see all the finished results, which I am sure can be seen in the behind the scenes images, captured by Keddy. . Like the movie titled 'Replacement Killers' we 'REPLACED' and we f@#!ing 'KILLED' it!

So to all of you, who helped me to achieve a successful project I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH: Paul Smith (MistaSmiff)- the lead camera man, who listened to my frustrated whingeing about the whole ordeal, Mikael Nembhard- camera man 2, Elijah Philips- backstage videographer, Sukhi Sandu, Sumi and Hannah Isherwood- make up artists, Jemilla King, Riana Machado- models, Hollie Victoria, Sinead Cannon- dancers, Chloe Evitts- hairstylist, Sian Robertson, Keddy Davies- photographers and Kerlisha Greenway- on set assistance.

(Sigh) Those days spent in performing arts world thought me well....hell or high water, the show must go on!

Just exposure? The other reason why Dancing Dolls UK is sponsoring Top Of Model of Colour comp. 2011



Ethnic model: Weoanlynn Cuthin for Dancing Dolls AW11

 

 It is completely intentional that I have consistently featured models of colour to represent the Dancing Dolls brand throughout all its product campaigns.
It was a decision, I consciously made when trying to source models for Dancing Dolls UK's first professional shoot back in the early part of 2010. Not only did I set out to do this to reinforce the idea of Dancing Dolls UK as brand that can be embraced by women of all races.

Ethnic model: Tanya Shinga

Ethnic model: Preet Nevah Kaur for Dancing Dolls SS10

But as  a woman of colour, it is important for me to give as many opportunities to women like myself to be recognised and accepted as a face in Fashion; in an industry steeped in institutional racism.
An issue that was highlighted and highly publiziced in an interview given to 'The Independent' by co- founder of leading model agency 'Premier models'- Caroline White in 2008.
The report by Rob Sharp states:

Speaking as London Fashion Week drew to a close, Carole White, co-founder of Premier Model Management, which supplies models to top fashion brands, admitted that finding work for black clients was significantly harder than for the white models, because both magazines and fashion designers were reluctant to employ them.

"Sadly we are in the business where you stock your shelves with what sells," she said.

"According to the magazines, black models don't sell,"

So on hearing that 'Top model of colour'- a coompetion specially designed for recognising and rewarding aspiring models of colour, which we set up because models of colour were being marginalised by mainstream fashion- where looking for sponsors for their event. I felt obligied to offer some support.

As a small growing company, offering sponsorship is not something I am always able to do and can only be subjected to very few causes, that I feel will not only help to expose my line, but is of a relevant, worthy cause to the Dancing Dolls brand and myself as a black woman in the Fashion Industry.

 

Model: Yanique Gordon for Dancing Dolls. BFW10

 Just think, about 3 years agos: a 362-page Marie Claire had eight photographs featuring black women, Vogue with over 400 pages of editorial and advertising – had 14 shots with black or Asian women – two of them featuring Naomi Campbell and four examples are in the current 312-page Glamour magazine.
Out of 136 images selected from London Fashion week 8 featured black models displayed on Fashion site, Style.com.
Fast forward a few years and Italian Vogue has since published a publication, using purely black models and British Vogue (June 2011) has ran an article on the rise of Asian Supermodels.
I personally feel that racism within the Fashion Industry will always be present and maybe the growth in the use of ethnic models is just a fad, either way, if shows such as 'Top Model of colour' continue to support ethnic models with their events. Hopefully, this fad will continue a while longer.

The Beauiful Ugly A/W 2011- Motion advert and photoshoot



L-R: Me (excuse my atrocious hair, clearly I was trying to recreate the look the brief I had given to the hirstylist), Model- Hannah and Shirin- snake handler and owner of 'George' 10ft python

 On the 17th June 2011, I braved the freezing weather- yes, I know, you'd think it would be blazing down with sunshine for the middle of June, but no such luck!- to  film a motion advert and advertising photo campaign for the current 'Dancing Dolls' collection from:' The Beautiful Ugly'.

 I had the pleasure of working with a 10 person team, who travelled from various locations across England, especially for the shoot- the largest team I have ever worked with! The team included: models- Hannah Owen, Stephanie Hopwood, Zainam 'Angel' Higgins (former lead singer of ex- girl group: Cleopatara) and 'George' the 10ft yellow python, Photography by Elspeth Van Der Hole, Hair by Hedrock hair, Videography by Elijah Phillips 'VirtualExtreme Youth Media', Artistic direction and motion advert filmed by Oliver Morris, set assistance from David Mcbean, Make up provided by Amy Watkins and the snake handler, Shirin Scales. Big massive-est thank you to all!

The outcome was beyond what imagined! It was a pretty nerve racking and surreal experience. I have spent so much of time watching other designers embark on such ventures and have sliently envied them, whilst dreaming that one day I would achieve and make that dream real for myself. And on that day- one year and 11 days after the first shoot I had for my first collectiom- I did!

Model: Stephanie Hopwood

I guess, it wasn't just Martin Luther King who had a dream.



Model: Zainham 'Angel' Higgins

 It is utterly amazing to think that in less than two weeks, Elspeth and I managed to get such an amazing team together. I remember, the 1st photoshoot I ever did for the inroduction of Dancing Dolls it took me literally about 3 months to find a team, who would give an up coming designer the time of day.

Check out the trailer! http://vimeo.com/25278370  O my!

 For more amazing images from this shoot. Check out the link below:
Full motion adverty coming soon....
 http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=138670176208154&id=195303843851380&cmntid=138672396207932&ref=notif&notif_t=comment_mention#!/media/set/?set=a.174959192565851.42697.156081054453665

Images by Elspeth Van der Hole

Win a Dancing Dolls Swimsuit worth £40.00!!

It seems a long time since I posted a blog entry.....and thats not because I've been putting it off or haven't had much to say.
In fact its been quite the opposite, if you consider the latter!
But I always told myself when I started this blog page, that as long as I maintain at least one blog per month, that should be surfice. So with literally 3 days left to the end of March. I will actually be adhering and achieveing what I set out. Yeahay!

So what is the latest and greatest in the Dancing Dolls world.
The most recent is, of course, that I have created yet another social media networking page for my line via Facebook. Search 'Dancing Dolls UK' on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/editalbum.php?aid=31785&add=1&id=156081054453665&htmlup=1#!/pages/Dancing-Dolls/156081054453665?sk=info.
 I was for a long time quite dubious about creating a 'Facebook' page too, considering:
a) I have a regular Facebook account, which I am constantly promoting Dancing Dolls from.
b) I already have several other profile pages on other social networking sites, including: Model Fame, You Tube, Myspace- and keeping them updated is starting to feel like a lttle tiny bit of a nightmare.
and...
c) What if I don't get many people, clicking the 'LIKE' button? Its not a good look for my brand!

But then it occurred to me: "Ok, its tideous to keeping maintaining these social media profiles, but they are absolutely FREE and EASY to create/maintain...not that I didn't know that already- and will help save the endless amount of money I have to constantly pay out to have a web designer update my professional website".
Gee- on that note. I might start twittering too!
With Facebook being as popular as it is, why would I not capitalise on such a useful tool- especially, with the ever growing popularity of internet social networking sites? Yet I still have a Myspace account?? Really? (Who are they? Exactly.) In fact -as from today, that Myspace account is ca-poot, vamuoosh, fin-neato!

So, its done. I have a new social media page on Facebook.
To promote the page- effectively promote my line.....as well as cheating to get as much brand awareness and people hitting that 'LIKE' button, Dancing Dolls is running a competition: to win a Dancing Dolls garment worth £40.00.
The epitamy of the brand and still the most popular swimsuit, I have done to date!


Deep plunge hooded swimsuit-featured @ Clothes show live 2010
Model: Tanya Shinga. Image: Peter Hirst

 Competition rules:
If by the 30th April 2011 Dancing Dolls have 250 persons or 'fans'- not that I really am feeling that groupie title, I will select a name at random, for whom I will create the above pictured swimsuit.
The winner will be notified via the Dancing Dolls Facebook page within 2 weeks of the closing date of the competition, and will have 5 working days to claim their prize by emailing their size, colour perference (cream or black) and a forwarding address, for the delivery of the item.
Terms and conditions:
-To enter the competition, you must be one of 250 FEMALES, to click the 'like' button, by 30th April 2011.
-You must claim your prize within 5 working days, after the closing date of the competition.
- Delivery to the winner's address is free within the U.K via Royal Mail recorded and will need to be signed for. Dancing Dolls will not deliver to any P.O box addresses. International addresses are subject to a £5.00 charge.
- Dancing Dolls can not be held responsible for any postage delays, loss of item or strikes, after the dispatch of the item.
- Dancing Dolls caters for sizes 6-14: should the selected winner fall outside of these size bracket. The winner will need to pay an additional surcharge for extra fabric required to create the garment.
-The garment will be produced and dispatched within 10 days, following contact between the winner and Dancing Dolls.
- Should after 30th April 2011 the target number has not been reached, Dancing Dolls reserve the right to extend the competion deadline further or cancel the competion entirely.
- The garment once dispatched under no circumstances ie returnable, excluding fault deemed by Dancing Dolls on manufacturers part.
- No cash alternative and non exchangeable for any other Dancing Dolls product.

So, for your chance to win. Search 'Dancing Dolls UK' on Facebook and click the 'LIKE' button!!!!
http://www.dancingdollsuk.com/

Inspirations behind the creation of 'The beautiful Ugly' A/W collection 2011

'The Beautiful Ugly' is the second full RTW (ready-to-wear) A/W 2011 collection designed and created by Paulinah N. Eboh-Sampson in which she teamed up with Birmingham based airbrush artist- the amazing 'Dark art airbrushing' to help embody the nature of the collection's admirable creations defaced in a distortion of beauty, with the use of graffiti.

'Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. In modern times paint, particularly spray paint, and marker pens have become the most commonly used grafitti materials. In most countries, marking or painting property without the propertier's consent is considered defacement, which is a punishable crime.

Sometimes graffiti expresses social and political messages and a whole genre of artistic expression is based upon spray paint grafitti styles. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions; to others it is merely vandalism. Graffiti has evolved into a pop culture existence often related to underground hip hop music, b-boying, and a lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.

Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create disagreement amongst city officials/law enforcement and graffitists who wish to display and appreciate work in public locations- it is a rapidly developing artform whose value is highly contested.'

Taken from Wikipedia.org

 For my second collection, I definitely wanted to look at the brand from a different angle and change the dynamics slightly, while holding onto the Dancing Dolls asethtic- which makes the brand what it is: sexy, firlty, vibrant clothes made from luxurious lycra/jersey fabrics.
It is so easy for a line such as Dancing Dolls to only be percieved as a brand of 'pretty' clothes, as the first collection and other Dancing Dolls pieces have been branded.
I wanted to express alot of the other side of my personality in this collection, which can be alittle dark and controvesial.
Whilst, researching I looked at any aspect within the Dolls medium that would allow me to express a darker attitude.
The obvious and possibly the only 'dark' association to dolls is Voodoo and the 'Voodoo doll'."

Voodoo also Vodou is a syncretic religion that originates in the Caribbean country of Haiti. It is based upon a merging of the beliefs and practices of West Africans peoples, with Arawakian religious beliefs, and Roman Catholic Christainity. Voodoo was created by African slaves who were brought to Haiti in the 16th century and still followed their traditional African beliefs, but were forced to convert to the religion of their slavers.

In Haitian Voodoo, there are strong elements from the Congo of Central Africaca and the Igbo and Yoruba of Nigeria,

Voodoo has come to be associated in popular culture with the lore of Satanism, zombies, and "voodoo dolls". While there is evidence of zombie creation, it is a minor phenomenon within rural Haitian culture and NOT a part of the Voodoo religion proper.

Image taken at The National Slavery museum. Liverpool

Art work by Danny @ Dark Art Airbrushing

National Slavery museum. Liverpool

Further adding to the dark reputation of Voodoo were films such as 'The serpent and the Rianbow' 1988 and James Bond 'Live & let die' 1973. Both of which where viewed by myself, for research purposes.

" I took inspiration from the two films, mentioned as well as exploring other dark art forms such as bondage and S&M, which in turn lead me back to the history of Voodoo followers/Haitian people.
This is captured through the use of spikes which not only protray the notion of pins commonly used and associated with voodoo dolls but also, coupled with the chains present subliminal messages of the Slave trade.
The graffiti element, coupled with the distressed raw edged fabrics, studs and spiked adnornents help complete the idea of visually alluring, sabotaged garments.
The dolls are going dark........"

Its me! Wearing one of the looks from the new collection♥

The full collection will be availble to view and orders placed from March/April 2011

5% from the sale of each garment in this collection will be donated to the 'Help Haiti now' foundation, to aid the earthquake relief fund and other humanitarian work in Haiti http://www.helphaitinow.org/