Good Day Fashionistas!
Today’s interview is with the incredibly talented fashion designer, David Dixon. A judge for the Art of Fashion http://artoffashion.org, David is a staple in the Canadian design industry and has really established a reputation for making stunning evening wear that speaks of glamour and sophistication.
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| Designer David Dixon |
David was the youngest of 6 children and grew up in an Irish family. He shares that their background was in construction and it was only him and his brother, who is in interior design, who got involved in creative fields. He wistfully recounts how his obsession with all things stylish started when he was a child watching an episode of the ‘Love Boat’ that featured Gloria Vanderbilt, Bob Mackie, Geoffrey Beene and Halston. He says that the world opened up for him at that point and he started sketching the next day. He remembers that drawing came naturally to him and even at the young age of 9 or 10, he started drawing gowns and evening wear. He said that in grade 7 home education class, he literally went from sewing a bean frog to making an evening gown. Later on he went to the Ryerson Fashion School and felt he had finally found his niche among similarly minded students who shared his passion for fashion. For the first time in his life he felt like he belonged somewhere with his unusual penchant for design.
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| David sharing his story with me... |
Since then, David has built a fashion empire and continues to push boundaries with his designs. He is constantly experimenting with new techniques, creating memorable pieces that are unique and talked about. Most recently, E-Talk anchor Tanya Kim wore an older piece in his collection that was a fabulous mirror dress. People saw her wearing David’s design and he was inundated with calls asking for her dress. He couldn’t believe the buzz it generated, especially since it is no longer available for purchase.
David says he loves dressing women and that if he could dress anyone, he would have loved to design for Audrey Hepburn, Katherine Hepburn and Lena Horne. For today’s starletts he admires the avant garde, Tilda Swinton and classic beauty, Cate Blanchett, as well as his constant inspiration, Iman. David prides himself on pieces that are well constructed and wants to challenge himself as his collections develop and change. He hopes that his customers will grow along with his collection and support the new and innovative ways he is trying to leave his mark on the fashion industry.
As for the future of his collections, David has expanded into offering various lines for the everyday woman, including an exclusive line at the Bay called ‘Little Black Dress’. He understands that having the perfect little black dress is essential for every woman’s wardrobe and knows that being accessible is key for women from all walks of life, whether they need an everyday look, or beautiful gown.
David shared some pieces from his collection and showed us clover coats, eye cat leopard and digital python prints, as well as individually sewn shapes. The intricacy of his designs is evident. David clearly puts a lot of effort and time into sourcing out and designing the best fabrics and getting involved in the entire process from inception to the end. He enjoys making fantastic ready to wear pieces with interesting details and trim cut by hand. He is a staunch perfectionist and will not rest until he gets the desired effect. It is clearly very important to him to produce quality pieces no matter what the price point and it is this dedication to his craft that has garnered everyone’s respect in a tough industry.
David’s unique voice continues on the runway and he tries to communicate a story to his audience so that people connect with what he is trying to do. He wants his pieces to resonate with the consumer and recognizes that it is important to make an impression no matter what.
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| David and I in his workroom |
As the president of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, a non-profit organization that supports emerging local talent, David knows the importance of getting involved with the next generation of designers and supporting the Canadian fashion landscape. He enjoys being a part of events like the Art of Fashion, where he can be inspired by a new designer’s talent and raw expression. As a former mentor at Ryerson University, David helped to develop the collections of 4th year students and gave them advice and direction on how to edit and tailor their ideas. He is truly someone who cares about what is ahead and is interested in keeping homegrown talent alive.
There is a timelessness about David’s clothing. He likes to address current themes while still making pieces that have no shelf life. He is a great designer with a terrific business sense and his longevity is a prime example of how to be truly successful in fashion. Watch out for what’s next from this enigmatic designer! http://www.daviddixon.ca
Until Next Time My Glamazons!
Cecilia J