EBN #12 Danalia Fashion

Written by Crystal Walker

“It’s a scary thing to be self-employed.” Coming from fashion designer, Danielle, of Danalia fashion she explains how when being the boss, there is no one to blame, everything will always fall upon you, with no fingers to point. Danielle comes from a family of design. From her father, uncles, and even her granddad, they were all tailors. I guess it’s easy to say how she chose her career in fashion herself. As a high school student she did dabble in music and theatre. Her true passion was lying within the hands of fashion. Attending school Omore College of Design, where she graduated and has had some of her own fashion shown within the school’s fashion shows. Danielle’s unique way of style consists of bright colors, sequences, and beading. Not wanting to be “inside the box” with her designs, she makes sure there is no box around.

This in the end creates a very inimitable line. 3 years prior is when Danielle initially considered herself to be a fashion designer. While in college she created an online account with etsy.com there she was able to illustrate all of her fashion. From handmade, vintage, and classified, those were the styles of clothing you would see. Holding on strong for 3 years now she has a lot on her plate. Even when it comes to fashion shows she tries to put her fashion out there at least once or twice a year. Not only has she had her fashion shown at her college’s fashion show, but also at “Naked With Out Us” 2011 fashion show. That show was a unique way of artists and designers showing their talents off to the city. This year she has only completed one fashion show, which was June 2012 All White Affair. With so much being done she feels it is very important to make yourself exclusive, by any means. Right now Danielle’s selective style has more of a resort ware-summery clothing type of feel. She has taken this keen sense of style and decided to go with swim wear. In the fashion world as any designer may know, you must develop that tough skin. Danielle explains, when receiving criticism you have to know how to separate your personal feelings from business. She informs you that it may take a few years to develop that mental thought, but one must also know when to listen to your gut and keep doing what you are doing. Danielle faced that challenge herself when it came to her swim wear. She was told any negative fixation that came about having a swim wear line. Even if the advice seems genuine you have to know how to follow your gut. Danielle’s gut has led her fashion into the doors of Studio 615 Boutique and soon she will be sending pieces to K-Tresha Boutique in Memphis, TN. Nonetheless, none of this would be possible if it wasn’t for her strong family foundation from her parents. Her parents taught her and her brother to be strong-minded, tough, go getters, and with that type of support behind you, more than anything is possible.