Making Memories | Fashion Diaries

It’s always time to start the journey…

I share with you the first lookbook photoshoot, taken in 2011 after I handmade my first complete outfit and documented the process on the original version of The Wardrobe Blog. This outfit would lead to my first attempt creating a fashion label, through ‘The Dorothy Collection’ in 2012. Although it didn’t go to plan, I look back on the memories I made that ultimately shaped my pride and joy, the beginning of the wardrobe…

Making Memories | Fashion Diaries

Above: Photographs from the archives, my first lookbook taken in 2011 that inspired ‘The Dorothy Collection.’

Making Memories | Dreaming

It all started with a dream… Not exactly a literal dream, but a dream nonetheless. I talked a little about my experience in high school in my recent blog post about my first ever photoshoot which you can read here. A few years later, after I had finished school I was inspired by my new found freedom to bring my dreams to life!

Above: Photographs from the archives captured on film at Massey Primary School, Auckland.

Making Memories | Creating

I began with a vision, pictures in my mind of what I longed to create so after putting it on paper I realised that was exactly what I needed to do! I got to work creating my first collection, creating everything by hand from the patterns, to the embellishment and the accessories. I wanted to put myself into my work and after a few months of time spent finishing, embroidering and hand beading my pieces I was finished!

Above: Photographs on film, my first attempts at a flatlay in 2011.

Making Memories | Experimenting

Part of what inspired me to start The Wardrobe Blog was my love of experimenting, and how I love most of all to just play. There is a sense of immense satisfaction in allowing yourself the total freedom to explore an idea, a concept, a vision, and a design not only in your mind but in reality. It occurred to me that I could share this process and document it like a creative diary. Hence, the wardrobe blog was born.

Above: Photographs from the archives, my first signature handmade outfit for The Wardrobe.

Making Memories | Telling Stories

This outfit was a huge amount of work, and hours of labour went into the embroidery and finishings. I’ve always adored detailed beading and the masterful accents of couture designers of Europe and this is what influenced my aesthetic for this look. Throughout capturing the lookbook for this outfit, I found myself drawn more and more towards places and photographs that had an emotive factor, and told a story. When I started my journey I was passionate about creating things of beauty, through beautiful pictures. Now, I know that all beautiful things also tell a beautiful story, one that is worth sharing.

Above: Photographs from the archives, captured on film on SH18 in Auckland, New Zealand.

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