This month we interview Lara our Studio Manager, who joined us last year.

WHY DID YOU JOIN DASHING TWEEDS?

“I fell in love with weaving as an undergraduate at Central Saint Martins. My BA Textile design course covered knit, weave and print, but as soon as I started hand weaving I knew that this age old art was for me. I could simultaneously fulfil all my artistic desires by combining story telling with textile creation.

I was lucky to have Kirsty McDougall as a guest lecturer and jumped at the opportunity to intern at her studio for a while. Whilst there I assisted on hand weaving a collection for Dashing Tweeds. I loved the aesthetics of the company, especially the way they push the boundaries of textile design. Upon graduation I saw that Dashing Tweeds were hiring and I knew the position would be a perfect fit.

Whilst starting work at Dashing Tweeds, I was also awarded the 2022 Clothworkers’ Award. The prestigious prize gave me a space at Cockpit Studios, where I could work on my personal weaving practice. I specialise in bespoke commission weaving and one of a kind woven artworks. The combination of working at Dashing Tweeds and running my own small business has been a dream come true. I love the way customers at Dashing Tweeds use fabric as a means for personal expression.”

HOW DO YOU WORK IN YOUR STUDIO?

“For my own work, I really love bringing clients ideas to fruition. I work on art pieces which mainly hang in their homes. The whole collaborative process is a varying conversation starting with sketched mock ups before I move onto materiality and sampling.

I like to take everything we have gathered up in the preliminary stages and then just create intuitively at the loom. During a project, I surround myself with relevant ideas and materials; my studio walls are pinned with inspiration. Then I sit at my loom and weave away.

Weaving is meditative, repetitive and very process heavy, it takes a lot of patience! Most of the time you’ll find me surrounded by yarn in my studio with the clunking sound of my old Harris loom.”

WHAT DOES DESIGN MEAN TO YOU?

“To me, design is an opportunity to say something. It can be deeply important and meaningful, or maybe just an excuse for playful fun. I think both are equally valuable. I really enjoy using textiles as a medium to tell stories about places and people. My Irish mother and Australian born father gave me a multicultural upbringing; I was born in Switzerland, schooled in the middle east and then moved to England. Through my design work, I continue the history of using textiles as a vehicle for storytelling. A night out with friends in Shoreditch or a moving personal experience can be equally influential on my work.

I take on personal commissions should you like a bespoke wall hanging or a one-off scarf. If you’re interested in learning more, I would be more than happy to host you at my studio in Deptford. We can arrange a meeting on a day when I am not busy working on all manor of exciting projects at Dashing.”

Lara has a few pieces on show at Contemporary Applied Arts from the 7th – 18^th November, also her open studios at Cockpit are from the 1^st – 3^rd Dec, tickets available online.

To see more of Lara’s work, check out her instagram or website.

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“I was strolling through Marylebone when I saw a man in front of a shop spinning yarn with a wheel. I immediately thought I could use the yarn in a painting as my last commission in London I used rope. I’ve been travelling the globe extensively the past three years and am always looking for new materials to work with. So I struck up a conversation with Guy, and next thing I know I’m in the shop marveling at all his creations. One particular green jacket with light-reflective thread caught my eye, and I had to have it. I’d never seen anything like it. I wear Dashing because I like to wear unique clothes with a story. I learned that they design and produce all their own fabrics and tailor the pieces to perfection. I wear Dashing because in all the clothes I tried on (the jackets, the pants, the hats), I felt confident and polished, like the clothes were made for me.

I showed Guy my artwork, and he showed me his photography. So we decided to combine art and fashion in a photoshoot. He selected some of his pieces and found 200 meters of blue rope so I could make a temporary art installation. A week later, we went to a basketball court in Primrose Hill, and I meticulously laid out the rope in my signature style of “One Continuous Line” that is uniformly spaced and never intersects: a labyrinth. Et voila, we have these incredible photos.

I aim to make spontaneous artwork along my travels. I drew my line in the sand in Thailand, cut a grass labyrinth in California, and painted a whole room in Havana, Cuba (where my mom is from). So this was a natural next step to make something unique in London inspired by Dashing Tweeds. It’s this same spontaneity and daringness I see in Dashing that makes me want to wear it.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I define myself through my clothing by collecting unique pieces during my travels. Right now I’m wearing a pair of shorts with little mushrooms on them I got in New York along with a cream cashmere sweater I got in Mexico and shoes made from fish nets by a friend in Italy. I like to dress playfully yet elegantly. For me, each article of clothing has a memory tied to it. I was cold in Paris and found a vintage Mugler jacket from the 80s. I was hot in Bali, so bought these flowy, locally-made shorts. My clothing reflects my life and all the adventures along the way. Sometimes I see something and think, “Is this too wild or outside of my usual style,” and that’s usually a sign that I should try it and see. I’m always trying to think outside of my own box.

My art is a defining factor in my style and has shaped my wardrobe. You can usually catch me in my embroidered “Yes” hat, silk or chiffon scarves based on my paintings, or even a velvet suit I made from a particular piece. I showed Guy some of my fabric samples, and it looks like they just may end up as a satin lining for one of his suits. I’m excited to collaborate with Dashing to make bespoke clothing, so I look forward to any special requests.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style to me means putting together pieces that mean something to you and that express your personality or even your mood. I’m constantly mixing and matching my clothes, especially since I live a lot out of a suitcase. Style means trusting your instincts as to what looks good on you, but also trusting others to help you be even bolder. I don’t think I would have thought to put on the colourful suit I wore in the shoot, but after trying it on, I realised I could pull it off – of course with a little affirmation from Guy.”

“I showed Guy a large framed print I had in London of my “Heart to Heart” piece, two anatomical hearts connected by my one continuous line. And he decided to hang it in the shop. Feel free to stop by and have a look up close.”

Daniel’s artwork in store is for sale, for any inquiries email Studio@DanielDuganArt.com.

You can see more of his creations around the world on his Instagram @DanielDuganArt and on his website, www.DanielDuganArt.com.

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“Dashing to me is an expression of individuality, giving the ability to take a piece of cloth which is relatively rare, turning it into something which is absolutely unique.
 
Unlike many other cloths, Dashing with their relatively small runs gives an additional level of bespoke and individuality to any item of clothing made.
 
Dashing is also fun! There is a certain humour to many of the fabrics which adds to the sense of enjoyment when wearing an item of clothing.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“One of the pleasures of having clothes made is that you can have different clothes to suit different environments and moods.
 
For me, the way this is found through Dashing is the ability to have a suit suitable for work, horse racing, a great passion, going out, or just general wear and the ability to have a suit for the appropriate occasion, is hugely enjoyable.
 
For most suits, I will tend to have a pair of shorts made allowing you to have one suit that fits multiple events and can be worn throughout the year and when travelling, and Dashing allows me to be smart, practical, and comfortable.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“I think style is very individual, with different people having views on what is or is not stylish.
 
For me, feeling stylish is wearing a well-made comfortable suit, designed to your own specifications to match your mood and environment.

It’s having something that matches your character and environment, it being an appropriate expression of who you are for the setting you are in.”

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“For me Dashing signifies authenticity, playfulness and character. I first came across Dashing on instagram a few years ago, I was amazed how daring and flamboyant the fabrics were. As someone who loves maximalism within classic menswear, Dashing automatically resonated with me. I’m currently studying bespoke tailoring at London College of Fashion. I was working on Savile Row over the summer, this was when Guy and I first met. It was an extremely pleasant encounter which turned into a street casting, I had the privilege of modelling for Dashing’s most recent campaign and recently had a resplendent Black and White Basket Weave jacket tailored for me.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I began dressing myself from the age 10, as you can imagine I have been through a tremendous amount of clothing phases; which has resulted in an incredibly eclectic wardrobe. I love the idea of not being tied to one specific style, way of living or thinking. Clothing is the easiest way to change or enhance one’s identity and gives away a plethora of clues about your personality, likes and interests. My everyday looks can rage from a 70’s disco/ glam rock aesthetic to a 40’s Ivy League prep, I believe the most important thing about clothing is to have fun with it! “

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style is a form of self expression, it can transform someones mood within an instant. It can be incredibly liberating, especially when you find the courage to wear something you previously never thought you could. Coming from a Caribbean background, clothing and presentation is such an intrinsic part of my culture. Jamaican style has had a massive influence on the world. Being surrounded by well dressed and charismatic people from a young age lead me to see one’s style and personality work in tandem. I often notice that my style determines my mood and other times my mood determines my style.”

To see more of Samuel-James’ style and tailoring check out his Instagram page. Shot on location at Retrouvius.

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“Wearing Dashing Tweeds makes me feel fantastic. The fabrics are exciting and interesting; and each has a story to tell, so I feel I know the fabrics so much more than other clothes I have. Latterly, having been a fan for years, I also wear Dashing because they’re my friends; and that’s another story to tell.

The thrill of spotting someone else in Dashing Tweeds is a feeling of commonality, whether it’s in person or just on television or YouTube. It’s a community, like the evening get togethers held at the shop.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“As I grew up I started paying more attention to tailoring and fabrics in a way I would not have done before. I like to know the stories behind what I wear and to look and feel good in them. I’m known as someone who values style and detail. I will carefully pick which suit or tie to wear depending on what I am doing that day and others pick up on that and expect it from me.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“My mother is a very stylish woman and she instilled in me a love of colour and of thinking about an entire outfit so that it all hangs together. It took me some time to actually listen to her, but isn’t that often the way? For me, style is looking good without being a slave to fashion. Style goes way beyond fashion. I like classic menswear, but I’m not really interested in vintage dress up. I like the British suit cut and Dashing Tweeds suits are both timeless and classic as well as vibrant and different.”

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“There is no greater brand I have found which embraces the curiosity of individuality quite the same. Through Guy, I have found my way of self expression and the appreciation of the possible qualities in tailoring and fabric design, introduced to a world of finer dressing and a sense of aesthetic empowerment. When out in my Dashing, I ace the day, feeling fitted and warm, uniquely myself, nothing can get in my way.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“My clothes adhere to my lifestyle. I seek hardwearing, splashes of colour and versatility for whichever activity I happen upon. Zipping around London on motorised two wheels, hard concentration in my studio on Regent Street, lighting and capturing the worlds most spectacular jewels, or travelling to farther destinations for meetings and concept pitches, I want my clothes to wear me as much as I wear them, versatile, fit for life and purpose.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style is inherent and of personal experience. For me to have my needs met by my garments is style. For you to find me “stylish” must be a shared compatibility, but in my opinion beyond the subjective.

By preference I would only be in the nude, but unfortunately due to the weather restrictions and public opinion this is not my daily attire, so instead I choose Dashing.”

To find out more about Leo, check out his website and instagram.

WHY DO YOU WEAR DASHING?

“I’d been following Dashing Tweeds on social media and always thought I’d treat myself to something one day. Then lockdown happened! Guy had started doing live videos on instagram, and I had plenty of time so I reached out to him and to my surprise he was very responsive. 

We had a video call where we discussed our love of clothes and he made me see things in a different way, a more vibrant way. I explained my struggle to find clothing I like for the summer. After an enjoyable discussion we decided on a Curtis cloth summer suit. After that I was hooked and am delighted to say I have many suits. My business is called Dashing Blades so we lovingly refer to our collaborations as Double Dashing. “

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOURSELF THROUGH YOUR CLOTHING?

“I wear clothes for myself. I often get people giving positive comments which is lovely. My thinking is that we’re not on the planet for very long so you may as well live the best life you can and clothing is part of that. 

As I’ve gotten older my clothes have become more vibrant and DT ticks all the boxes. I love choosing what I’m going to wear depending on how I’m feeling so the clothing reflects my mood. 

Having my own business which is barbering I want people to know they are getting quality and like a great meal the first taste is with the eye, so people can tell if someone or something is authentic just by seeing it. A fine suit in a fine fabric works perfectly.”

WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?

“Style creates a sense of independence. Everyone has their own vibe. I love styles from the past but with a modern twist. I love the cut of a fine 3 piece suit although I prefer a longer more Edwardian jacket than the classic modern suit, it’s just a personal preference. 

My style generally comes from my imagination, old photos and sometimes TV or film. I don’t try to be a particular era or style it just mixes together. 

To me that’s what style means. A blend of inspiration and imagination mixed together through the filter of your own personality.”