With less than 3 months to go until the full
release of my 1st international collection, which will be
showcased at Miami Metropolitan International Fashion Week. and my
creative mind refusing to comply or agree on anything, the pressure
is on.....
I have a mountain of things to arrange, finalize
and complete in order to satisfy the stress of the challenge that I
have set myself, including shooting the collection look book, the new
DDUK viral, the re-launch of the website, as well as sorting the
collaboration with some Miami based creatives and oh- not to talk of
actually completing the damn collection.
Extremely stressed is an utter understatement!
You may have seen a small snippet of what's to come from the next collection, purposely titled 'Finally Exhaled', as I showcased 6 pieces at the Midlands Fashion Designers Awards in October 2012, to reviews that... well, lets say its not from laziness that the collection is not yet complete at the time.
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| Image by Rahat Ali. Model: Elena Luzaic |
The general response, I got from what was seen of
the collection, was that, it was 'different' from my usual style.
What? How? There are jumpsuits, swimsuits and
dresses, isn't there. That's what I do and what Dancing Dolls UK is
about.
Was the battle to stay to true to my brand, whilst
pushing the boundaries of my ability and creativity about to unravel?
To me the direction of the 4th
collection was self explanatory. The SS13 collection; Finally
Exhaled- was a definite 'Reflection of Direction', I looked
at past creations, I have created over the course of my time doing
Dancing Dolls and have re-worked them to create a collection with an
almost ethereal direction, representing the freedom and breaking free-
from of the constraints that have followed the brand.
Had I gone to far?
Was that not visible in the 1st, part
presentation of the collection? What was the point of breaking free
from a constraint, if no one else understood or could except this
reflection? I may as well start a whole another label!
With a deflated feeling of fear, dread- amidst
failure, I went bank to the drawing board, not as in I started again.
I just had to make my definitive point of view idiot proof!
Dancing Dolls UK is not merely about the creation
of clothes: of course, the “ Oh that's so Prada...or “That looks
like Alexander McQueen” moments, which reflects the ability for
your brand to be recognised by the way its looks, is the stuff
designer dreams are made of! However, with Dancing Dolls UK - its also
the way you wear the clothes- it is a a lifestyle. One that presents
the importance of style
As Coco Chanel put it:
“Dress shabbily and
they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the
woman.”
DDUK style eradicates the 'never fully dressed attitude'; your
hair, shoes, nails even your jewellery are as important as your
garment choice.
So this collection, not only looks back on my DDUK
journey, its tells it own story, and as other collections before has
been orchestrated to carve out the brand aesthetic; singing and
chanting about the feeling of chic-ism, the infusion of the dance
influence, the confirmation of sexy.
At least, I hope so.... I'm working my butt off
here!
So excuse me, if to some, I may have deviated
slightly, What? OK- I used pastel colours- shock, horror, as well as
the introduction of printed fabric. DDUK is supposed to be strong.
vibrant colours, right? #IDidn'tWriteThatDown!
Look a little closer, like contacts, you can see
through, I promise, there you will find DDUK.
I am just trying to grow, to evolve
And to grow and develop, I have to take risks. I
cannot, refuse to and will not play it safe. I am not just holding my
breath to see that the risk has been worth while....
I am 'Waiting to exhale'....
