Indies in Lockdown - Dakota Rae Dust

How have indie creatives coped during lockdown? 

Following our initial blog post where we found out that a change -  or in this case, a pandemic  - can inspire creativity, we have also learnt how courageous and adaptable indie makers and businesses have been during lockdown.

Overwhelmed by the heartfelt responses from some of my favourite indie makers and designers, we shall continue the Indies in Lockdown blog series profiling each creative with a full interview whilst showcasing some of the pieces that they have been working on during this time. 

Dakota Rae Dust

The first indie designer profile features the fabulous, colourful statement jewellery maker Bec Denton, founder of Dakota Rae Dust. During lockdown Bec has had to put her new collections on hold and adapt to a new way of working from her home studio, here in Bristol. Bec is also missing selling at markets and the beloved festival season. 

NEW Turquoise fringe, bib necklace £42 by Dakota Rae Dust

How are you & what has your situation been during lockdown? 

I'm well thanks, feeling much better after my first trip to a friend's garden last week! My partner received a letter advising him to shield due to an existing health condition so we have both been working from home in our one bed attic flat during lockdown!

I already work from home, so no big upheaval for me but my partner set up office in the bedroom and during the first few weeks of lockdown he was also running two 3D printers in there, printing PPE visors! 

We don't have a garden, which we were cursing during the sunny weather but the flexibility that our work has offered us and the support from friends and family, with food shopping, has left us feeling very lucky.

Indie maker Bec Denton with a pair of Dakota Rae Dust statement tassel earrings

How has lockdown affected your business and the way you work? 

Since starting my business I have relied heavily on markets, festivals and in person selling to spread awareness of my work. When the reality of a summer without any events first dawned on me, I have to admit, I felt pretty panic stricken, but lots of amazing event organisers and fellow makers sprung into action with virtual alternatives which have been a real help. 

I have traded with Bristol Markets and Makers Bazaar Fair (on instagram) they have definitely proven to be an effective way to reach potential new customers from my sofa - which is a win -  but I am really missing all the amazing market food and contact with fellow makers and customers. 

Access to equipment has been a bit of a problem. I usually take a bus across town to use a friend's heat press and occasionally the laser cutter at KWMC The Factory but shielding meant this was much trickier.

I have delayed launching any new designs for now, focusing instead on new colourways of existing styles that I can produce at home. Excitingly, this should be changing imminently. 

Fluorescent pink, red glitter and purple jewel statement tassel earrings £34 

 

Has this time helped your productivity? If yes, how? 

Ermmm! Not exactly, I've definitely found it tricky to stay motivated without the regular deadlines that trading at markets provides and the usual contact with friends and fellow makers.....I realised early on that I'm not a big fan of Zoom!!   

Since postponing working on anything new, having to rely on existing designs has allowed me some extra time to streamline my production and make products in small batches which I am usually too disorganised to enforce. This has definitely been a positive outcome of the last few months. I still haven't managed to tidy my desk though Haha!

A selection of oversize jazzy plectrum earrings, available with OR without tassels

Have you become more/less inspired in this time?

BOTH. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster!

At times I've focused solely on the very practical side of the business only, getting orders out and keeping accounts up to date, with no motivation for designing, or coming up with creative ways to tackle the coming months. 

Once I made the decision about delaying the launch of any new designs and freed up some time to play around with colours and fabrics I started to feel much more inspired. I'm very keen to get prototyping now. Autumn, maybe even the end of the Summer, should be bringing lots of exciting new things! 

All my textile jewellery is inspired by and includes some vintage, recycled or secondhand fabrics. Many of my pieces feature components cut from textile off-cuts and waste materials donated by fellow makers as well as smaller scraps left over from my own larger projects.

The Fluorescent green statement tassel earrings £34 (top image)

features three vintage fabrics in florals and plains. The vintage floral fabric used in the large teardrop earring components was once a bedspread! Worn and well loved, it has been repurposed in these playful earrings(below).

Oversize jazzy plectrum earrings in peacock colours

What's next for Dakota Rae Dust? 

I'm interested to see how plans for markets opening up again will progress in the coming months. I really hope to be loading my pegboards with statement tassels and catching up with customers again soon. 

I committed to a website upgrade earlier this year (before I had any idea about what was about to happen with Covid) and after initial fears over whether it was the right time to be spending money, I'm now feeling confident that, especially in the current climate, this was a good call. 

A slick online presence and shopping experience feels more important than ever while I am relying so much on virtual trading and marketing via social media. I'm still getting to grips with the new site and uploading products but keen to get everything up and running asap! 

For some sneak previews and news on when the new Dakota Rae Dust website launch sign up to the newsletter 

Visit Dakota Rae Dust online shop 

#supportindependent

Indies in Lockdown - Has the pandemic inspired creativity?

We are all guilty pf putting a smiley face on our social media profiles, keeping calm and carrying on but what has life really been like for creatives and small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic?? 

As a creative, I have had my own experiences and became very interested in how other indie creatives, including designers, artists and makers, have coped during their time in lockdown. 

We have all had to change the way we work but has the pandemic actually helped inspire creativity for some of us or left us overwhelmed with no focus or drive?

Have we got so used to the new normal that we want to stay in lockdown? What have we enjoyed about this (slightly unorthodox) time out? Has it made us rethink the way we work? 

As lockdown eases, we are all considering our futures in this new world. For some of us the easing has caused a wave of great excitement, others are feeling more cautious and unsure of what is to come. However it has affected you, we can be sure we have all been in it together!

After reaching out to a few of my favourite independent makers, designers and artists to chat about their experiences,  I have been overwhelmed with a heartfelt and completely honest response. 

What was to be a blog post featuring indie creatives experiences, will now, I'm happy to say, become a blog mini series, showcasing many independent designers work, sharing their experiences during the pandemic and their hopes and inspirations for the future. 

Today we will look at comparisons in the experiences discussed (so far) with these fabulous and courageous indie businesses who have kept going throughout the pandemic.

Gull Power! T-shirts by Hello Dodo

There have been mixed feelings from our indie businesses, each one putting positive spins on an overwhelming and life changing situation, that not only effects the way we live our lives, run our businesses but on a larger scale, our well-being and mental health too.

Whether they have been shielding, moved back to a family home, found themselves working in a house full of kids or continued working from home, lockdown has affected us all, albeit in different ways. 

"We’ve been pretty fortunate during lockdown," says Brighton based, indie t-shirt brand Hello Dodo. "We run Hello Dodo from home, screen printing and packing orders from our little studio at the end of our garden". 

This sounds peachy but Hello Dodo designers Ali and Jam confess. "Working this way has allowed us to pretty much become hermits though!  Now that lockdown is easing we have to overcome quite a lot of social anxiety or risk becoming total recluses!". 

Ali and Jam from Hello Dodo

Joking aside, the easing of lockdown does seem to fill many of us with dread rather than excitement, with the anxiety of what's to come being a predominant concern. 

Designer Lulu Harrison relocated from Bristol to her family home in London when it became quite clear that her super fun, upcycling fashion brand Balulu had to stop production from India during the pandemic. 

"It's been really tough on the business" confesses Lulu, "We haven’t been able to get any of our new stock as India went into even stricter lockdown than the UK, and particularly Varanasi which is where my clothes are made".

"I think this whole pandemic has not only had a hit on businesses, but also on people’s mental health which I can say from first hand experience".

Lulu Harrison designer at Balulu 

With many makers, especially in the fashion industry relying on markets, shops and festivals to provide much of their annual profit, we have seen a severe drop in morale as makers and traders loose their motivation to create and sell. 

"I rely heavily on markets, festivals and in person selling to spread awareness of my work", says festival jewellery maker and upcycler Bec Denton from Dakota Rae Dust.

"When the reality of a summer without any events first dawned on me, I have to admit, I felt pretty panic stricken and I'm missing all the contact with fellow makers and my customers! I've definitely found it tricky to stay motivated without the regular deadlines that trading at markets provides". 

On a positive side to the closure of the shops and markets, every business has noticed and taken advantage of the shift from customers popping to the shops to a rise in online shopping. Weekly virtual markets have also been popping up on Instagram over the past few months and gaining many followers. 

Dakota Rae Dust designer and maker Bec Denton

"Lots of amazing event organisers and fellow makers sprung into action with virtual alternatives which have been a real help" explains Bec Denton.  

"I have traded with Bristol Markets and Makers Bazaar Fair on instagram, they have definitely proven to be an effective way to reach potential new customers!". 

Many makers have seen a rise in sales on their websites and through these virtual markets, which has been a real positive,  as many independent shops have also moved online sharing their virtual space with independent businesses. 

Since her production came to a sudden halt Balulu's, Lulu Harrison has had more time to work on her online presence, "So many people have turned to the internet to buy and we have benefited from that", admits says Lulu. 

"I had one box of Balulu clothes delivered before the world went into lockdown and, to be fair, everything sold out pretty quickly online, which was amazing!"

Many makers and businesses of all sizes have struggled to update their stock as their outside suppliers have been forced to close during lockdown; from sourcing plain t-shirts for printing to components for jewellery, to all your new stock being held back, like Balulu. 

This has been a time for many to begin to adapt the way they had previously worked, by making use of the stock they currently have available.

Elin Horgan Jewellery designer

Elin Horgan creates beautiful handmade silver jewellery pieces in Bristol and became inspired to design her new Shapes & Spheres collection after realising she couldn't get new stock from her regular suppliers. 

"I wanted to challenge myself to make some pieces by using materials I already had by re-purposing and recycling my scrap silver where possible". says Elin. 

"Shapes & Spheres is a collection of one-off pieces and is now available to buy on my website! I love the fact that each piece is totally unique and won't be made again!". 

Recycled silver jewellery from Elin Horgan's Shapes and Spheres collection

With the pros and cons of productivity changing from one business to the next, every business confesses it has not been easy to remain motivated. 

Some, like myself felt a drive to remain super productive at the start of lockdown only to see the enthusiasm come crashing down around them in a wall of anxiety and stress as reality sunk in. Whilst others, like Hello Dodo, felt overwhelmed from the beginning of lockdown and adapted to their new situation by using productivity as a distraction. 

"Being productive and creative has been the best distraction for us", say Hello Dodo. "Right now it feels like our inspiration is returning, like the stress was holding it back and now the floodgates have been opened!".

Struggling to find time to fit her business in whilst adapting to her new home life (spending every day with her WFH husband and two kids) Elin Horgan has found her new situation has made her more efficient. 

"Having less time actually makes me more productive as there are far fewer opportunities for faffing about.  There's definitely a lot of evening and weekend work (and not very much homeschooling) going on at the moment!", says Elin. 

Coral fringe handmade geometric earrings by Dakota Rae Dust

One thing that everyone in the fashion industry has missed is the face to face contact with their customers, fellow makers, suppliers and friends. 

Although we may not even be aware of it, venturing out and having regular contact and interactions with actual people, offers large quantities of inspiration and motivation. Lately, we have all been neglected of both!

"I can’t really say lockdown has helped my productivity". confesses Lulu Harrison. "I definitely started off trying to keep super motivated and coming up with new ideas, but as time has gone on the business has been hit harder and it’s been hard to stay positive about it.

"A friend inspired me to enter a competition, update the website and make a promo video for Balulu. I think I needed that push from someone else to keep me motivated and generate fresh ideas". 

It has been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone and as we begin to adapt to these waves of creativity and productivity, we can accept that we can adapt and start looking to the future. 

With all of our makers launching new collections and ranges in the upcoming months, collaborations are being made and even a masters at Central Saint Martins college on the cards for Balulu's Lulu Harrison, things are certainly looking up. Sometimes a change is good, even if we have to go through extreme hell to get there! You got this indie makers! 

The full interviews with all of our amazing indie business contributors will be popping up on the No Debutante blog over the next few weeks, with more indie businesses joining them! 

Thank you, big hugs and a masses of good luck to everyone involved in this blog post including the fabulous Ali and Jam from Hello Dodo, Lulu Harrison from Balulu, Bec Denton from Dakota Rae Dust and Elin Horgan Jewellery! You are all an inspiration! 

Main image courtesy of Balulu

Two worlds collide

For those who haven't been following the No Debutante antics over the past few weeks on social media, this is a quick catch up covering the side of Love Saves the Day that doesn't feature in my articles as fashion editor for Bristol 24/7! 

Here's some moments of friends and fun that happened at Loves Saves The Day festival here in Bristol, alongside a gig with my band Mono Dots for the M32 Skate Jam after party at The Chelsea Inn, that I managed to squeeze in between the two day event! Phew! It's been a busy one, but that's how we like it! Find out what happens when my two worlds collide!

 Love Saves The Day 2019

Hanging out with our festival faves The Fashpack including the lovely Joh Rindom from That Thing and the hilarious Zoe Zedhead, plus the No Debutante partner in crime, sister fashionista, " I only exist in this realm" Rachael. 

The No Debutante chosen outfit for the Saturday was this amazing pair of Lucy and Yak X Emotional Waterfall dungarees which are just the comfiest thing ever, worn with a crop top on this gloriously sunny day at LSTD. 

Getting my glitter did by Zoe Zedhead and hanging with independent designers Pluma and Balulu! I acquired the sun visor after a few large rum cocktails but it seems to match nicely with my Zedhead pom-pom earrings!

The No Debutante LSTD Sunday outfit (above left) features my fave catsuit by Mannerswear, a bumbag purchased at the festival by Butchi and Gosmos, the antique kimono given to me by an elderly neighbour - who thought I might wear it - (Thank you Mary!) and my lovely new XL tassel earrings by the brilliant Bristol designer, Dakota Rae Dust that arrived just in time for the weekend!

Love these girls!

A couple of amusing shots from the Sunday including Zoe Headhead and NOT Idris Elba and Rachael with the tallest, most fabulous drag queen at LSTD coming in at 7' 2"  (well, she was wearing ridiculously high platforms). 

The M32 Skate Jam After party gig at The Chelsea Inn (Saturday Night)

Rocking those festival vibes in a punk mash-up with my band Mono Dots at The Cheslea Inn at the M32 Skate Jam after party, where local skaters had come together to raise money for the skate park underneath the M32, here in Bristol. 

The Los Savages  - an awesome surf-skate band of goofballs that features Mr Debutante on trumpet.

My new favourite band Tropical Nightmare!!! A- MAZING! 

FIN

Have yourself a very local Christmas...

There are so many supportive Christmas markets happening in Bristol this year with a big focus on encouraging us all to buy local by supporting independent creatives and makers, there is even an amazing social media campaign named Indies in Bristol that asks you to #actlocalxmas and to consider an alternative for Christmas gifts this year. 

Lulu Harrison from Balulu at The Pop-up Christmas shop at The Island, Bristol

Today, I popped over to The Pop-Up Christmas Shop at The Island,  initially to meet up with Lulu from the amazing, fun-filled fashion brand Balulu for a Bristol 24/7 article (more about that soon) and after an amazing dressing up session in these super-cute garms and a brief chat with Bec from Dakota Rae Dust, I noticed all the other amazing goodies on offer!

Lulu and No Debutante wearing  super-cute Balulu garms

The dressing up session continues - Dungarees and onesie by Balulu

From handmade geometric earrings by Hyprnrml statement earrings and t-shirts using vintage and upcycled fabrics by Dakota Rae Dust, Super cute kidswear by upcycle queens at Duvet Days, bold Ghanaian printed streetwear by Ashanti Empress, amazing doodle art from Dixon Does Doodles and that fun-filled, super-cute range of onesies, dungarees and jackets by Balulu. 

Lulu and Bec - designer at Dakota Rae Dust. Both have handmade goodies available at the Pop-up Christmas Market

Handmade tasselled jewellery by Dakota Rae dust (left) & handmade earrings by Hyprnrml 

Amazing homewares with bold & fun cartoon art by Dixon Does Doodles 

Ghanaian printed streetwear by Ashanti Empress (left) and the coolest upcycled kids clothes by Duvet Days (right).

The final outfits from our dressing up session - I went with the red Mickey Mouse two-piece! My official Christmas Day outfit! Thank you to Lulu from Balulu for the garms and the fun! 

If you are in Bristol get yourself down to all the amazing independent shops and Christmas markets and if you're not then go find yours, support independent and support local. Consider independent this Christmas! 

That New Thing

No Debutante favourites and Stokes Crofts fashion darlings That Thing have launched an Interiors range mixing local designers creations with other independents work to create an amazing and contemporary interiors range consisting of succulent plant pots in hand painted prints & geometric carved shapes with handmade soft furnishings, contrasting against industrial copper pieces & vintage inspired lamps, with That Thing's own branded mugs, retro crochet blankets & a few animal curiosities here & there. An eclectic range of items to suit any modern vintage home. 

No Debutante attended the That Thing Interiors launch party and didn't leave empty handed, I had a chat with That Thing's Joh Riddom about the range whilst clutching at my newly purchased brass cactus hanging pot.

How is everything going at the 'That Thing' headquarters? 

That Thing is coming back out of hibernation mode after an extended sale in January. We made room for our new Interiors section, which launched mid-February, and now it's all systems go as we head towards new collections and festival season! It's a busy environment, and there is always a lot going on.

What inspired you to start the 'That Thing' interiors range?

"It seemed a natural progression to add Interior Accessories to our repertoire. I've always had a big fascination for homewares and interior design, and there are some great designers in this field in Bristol. I also wanted to refresh the store in other ways, like incorporating an all new Men's section, and the mezzanine floor that was previously our Vintage clothing section lends itself perfectly to having both of these sections represented properly, in their own right." 

That Thing's new menswear section, No Debutante is obsessing over those 80s shirts and copper piping rails! 

Are all the designers featured in the interiors range local to Bristol?

We've got exactly 60 designers in-store at the moment, and have just started a campaign on social media to highlight this. By far most of them are Bristol based, only around a handful come from further afield. It's monumental for us - supporting local up and coming designers sits right at the core of our ethos, and it's something we're immensely proud of. We started out with around 7 brands, and look how we've grown!

Who are the designers chosen for the range and why did you choose them? 

I wanted to make sure the interiors sections works the same as the rest of the shop, so it's to the same format in effect: Local designers, a few own-brand things and choice vintage items. So far we've got Homecrush, Dakota Rae Dust, Priormade, Miss4ire, RB Knitwear, among others, and then also a few That Thing own brand items. It's an area I look forward to adding more designers too, so if anyone would like to get in contact and submit their range, then I'd love to hear from them! 

What is your favourite item from the range, if you can choose?

Ooooh! This is so unfair and hard! -it's really impossible to choose..! So, ok, let me choose a favourite vintage piece and designer item:
My favourite Vintage item - it would have to be our little leopard statue! It's so adorable, and part of me secretly hopes we never sell him haha..
My favourite designer item would have to be the cushions by Dakota Rae Dust. They're absolutely gorgeous, she applies a whole range of technique to the process including fabric appliqué, vinyl transfers, printed appliqué, and both machine and hand-stitching, making each cushion unique!

Looks like someone else has their eye on that little leopard statue Joh!

Who is your favourite interior designers/artist?
Being half Danish, I feel like I can champion Scandinavian design here...And my favourite store would have to be the danish interior design store HAY. (there's a branch in Bath) It features a multitude of the best up and coming designers from Scandinavia and around the world. It sets a benchmark in design, but there is plenty of room for playful colours and ethnic trends, and that's refreshing. It's this mix and daring to be different that I like about the store. One of my absolute favourites would be Louise Campbell. It's my dream to own one of her chairs!

What’s your favourite thing about Bristol?

Fashion, Food, Nightlife, and culture! We're so lucky to live in Bristol - a diverse city with so much choice all around. I love how Bristol is full of little pocket sized neighbourhoods, and each one is totally unique. From Stokes Croft to Hotwells, from Southville to Easton, from Gloucester Road to the waterfront and Cargo... New things pop up all the time and I feel that Bristol embraces change, which is good.

What's your current favourite record?

I like to listen to a lot of mixes, mainly house, disco and hiphop. Its impossible to pick a favourite! We've got Anderson Paak on repeat at the shop at the moment - dreamy!

What's your current obsession?

Ooooh.. Ha! All things 'That Thing'! It is such an absolutely privilege to have my own business, employ some fantastic people, support up and coming designers, and give back to the community! Yes, it can be stressful at times, and obstacles have come in the way of success in the past, but I dedicate my time fully to That Thing, and I always just want it to be the best it can be. It's on my mind most of my waking hours, and I'm excited about the future!

What’s next for That Thing? 

We're busy planning ahead and will shortly see the release of our next collection - SS17. We're super excited to show it off, and will be celebrating with an event in-store (details to be confirmed). In addition to that we'll be welcoming in a host of festival fashion designers in May, and again - this will be celebrated with an event in-store. Other than that we have some bigger party plans up our sleeve, and some exciting collaborations too - but we can't spill the beans just yet...!

Knitwear designer Rhea Burns from RB Knitwear with her handmade Flamingo cushion

Ooooh! Well, No Debutante looks forward to the big That Thing announcement whilst drooling over all the amazing interior items! Want!

All photography by No Debutante

All items available at 

That Thing, 45-47 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP

thatthing.co

If you are having a fashion event or a have a new collection you would like No Debutante to promote??? Please get in touch!

Check out my work with Bristol 24/7 magazine under my name Emma Gorton-Ellicott

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me on nodebutanteblog.gmail.com

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Thanks for checking in Fashionistas xx