Dolly Donshey Monstruosité

Dolly Donshey creates spectacular hats inspired by the macabre, and as her new collection is modelled by tattooed women, we had to talk to her!

You can see her latest collection on the Nolcha Fashion week catwalk in New York. Nolcha Fashion Week takes place this September and showcases independent fashion designers to a global audience. Over the past five years the award-winning event has established itself as a platform of discovery, promoting innovative fashion designers.

Tell us a little bit about your brand Monstruosité, how did it form and how has it evolved?

I learned the art of hat making in 2010 by studying under Jan Wutowski, alumni of the Melbourne School of Millinery in Australia. After I returned from my training, I started my independent millinery brand, House of Donshey. After discovering my brand aesthetic and bringing on new team members, I re-branded and that’s where Monstruosité was brought to life. Monstruosité means “monstrosity” French, and I thought that really captured the essence of my line. Every human has a monstrosity within their lives and a deep story to tell, so the name was perfect for the dark feel of our brand.

What is Nolcha fashion week and how did you become involved? Have you showcased your designs there before?

This is our first time showcasing at Nolcha and we couldn’t be more excited. We were drawn to Nolcha because of their reputation as a leading platform for independent designers.

On your site you explain that your collections tell a story, what is the story of your current collection? 

Our Spring/Summer 15 collection is called “The Rise of Ostara.” Ostara, in the Pagan Religion, is the celebration of the Spring Equinox. Our collection is a journey from winter to spring that celebrates fertility and life. It is the “prettiest” collection we have ever done but also the most dramatic.

What draws you to tattoos?

I love tattoos because each one represents a part of someone’s history. Even if you got a tattoo one drunk night in Vegas, or you got a tattoo with your mother, both have importance and should be celebrated.

Why have you chosen to use tattooed models to wear your hats?

Since our brand deals so heavily with concepts and stories, tattoos are the perfect way to highlight this. When we shoot an editorial with a tattooed model, we are not only shooting the story of our work, but the model’s story silently on display as well.

Do you have any tattoos? Do they have specific meanings or are they purely aesthetic?

I have 6 tattoos, and they each have very important meaning. Most of them are in places no one can see like both upper thighs and my entire left side. I decided to place my tattoos in these obscure places because they were deeply personal and everyone’s favorite question when it comes to tattoos is, “Why did you get that?” I just hate having to explain my actions or my life story to total strangers.

To view Dolly’s stunning creations visit www.monstruosite.com

www.nolchafashionweek.com facebook.com/nolcha | @nolchafashionwk #nolcha

My Removal Diary. Part two.

Things and Ink music writer, Jen Adamson (@knifeintheheart), shares her tattoo removal experience. Part two, read part one here.

Jen feeling the nerves

Wayne started on the bottom half of my forearm this time. The colours we tackled were mainly black, reds and blues. This time round was much easier than the first. I was amazed that it wasn’t making me jump and I could take the laser for longer. Also the after effects did not hit my body hard at all. The healing process is turning out to be the most important. I kept my arm covered up with gauze and bandage for a week and kept it dry, with nothing but Vaseline to keep it moisturised. The colour has already faded remarkably.  Keep an eye on the blog for progress and a video coming soon.

My removal diary
Straight after the treatment

 

Chatting to Wayne before she gets zapped

The What’s Underneath Project: Meredith Graves

This video of  Perfect Pussy‘s Meredith Graves forms part of StyleLikeU‘s “What’s Underneath” project.

The project features a select group of individuals who remove their clothes to show that style is not the clothes you wear…


Meredith Graves

Quote after quote, we love this woman. How do you feel about your own tattooed body?

I have no idea where this guy got off thinking it was acceptable devoting one paragraph to my politics and three to my appearance.”

“My body is the only home I will ever have… Home is where love happens… Home is where you’re supposed to be comfortable.

Meredith Graves

Meredith Graves

 

Meredith Graves

Read more about the project at stylelikeu.com

Welcome to The Wildness – Incandescent Artistry

Interview with Stefania Crasta, owner of The Wildness Jewellery.

StefaniaHow did you get into jewellery making?
I have been into jewellery all my life, when I was a child I loved to adorn myself and make jewellery out of leaves and flowers. From childhood to teen and adult age, I believe that jewellery has always been present in different forms and shapes – decorating myself and my feelings. Like all the early passions in life, it developed into a way of being, into a research of the different techniques in the making and design process.

What inspires you?
The main inspiration for my designs is nature in its wildest principle.
Only nature contains perfect shapes, shades, scents and colours, emotions and sensations. It’s life and death, it’s unchangeable, but in some ways changing, it’s stable but alterable – an eternal contradiction. My love for poetry, philosophy and art transcends into each pattern of design and it reflects the sinister rebelliousness of my emotions.

Part of The Wildness Collection
Part of The Wildness Collection

 

What draws you to jewellery?
Jewellery has marked a fundamental part in the history of designing in different eras and cultures. I believe that jewellery is an extension of beauty and the expression of its power.

Part of The Wildness Collection
Part of The Wildness Collection

 

What is your favourite piece that you have created?
My favourite piece that I have created is the skull and butterfly ring part of ‘Les Fleurs du Mal’ jewellery collection inspired by Baudelaire’s poetry. It’s a skull ring blinded by a butterfly, it’s love and death… Another of my favourite pieces is also the Dante Alighieri ring – the author/genius behind the journey to hell (Divine Comedy).

Skull and butterfly ring
Skull and butterfly ring

 

Dante Alighieri ring
Dante Alighieri ring

 

Is your work inspired by tattoos?
My work is definitely inspired by art, and different combinations of art such as tattoos. I think that jewellery and tattoos follow a parallel meaning of expression in body adornment. It’s a very similar statement in my opinion. I love ornamental patterns, that are also used on tattoos and sometimes I incorporate them into my designs.

Stefania’s tattoos

 

Can you tell me about the tattoos on your body?
My back is fully tattooed with paisley, flowers and geometric ornaments. This back piece was done by Matt Black at Divine Canvas. My sides are a work in progress by Silvia Zed from Shall Adore, it’s a beautiful Victorian filigree pattern. I also have two symmetric tribal tattoos done a long time ago by Silvia Zed on my upper arm, old Love and Freedom scripts on my wrists and lines/rings around my ring fingers. My aim is to have most of the back of my body tattooed…

Stefania's back by Matt Black
Stefania’s back by Matt Black

 

Who are your favourite tattoo artists?
I’m totally in love with Victorian filigree, (designs and shades) of ornaments done by Silvia Zed and also her black and grey roses designs, she is definitely one of my favourite tattooists and also a dear friend of mine. I also love the geometric work of Xed LeHead and the amazing fine work of Philip Milic.

By Silvia Zed
By Silvia Zed

 

Part of Stefania's collection
Part of Stefania’s collection

 

Do you think there is a relationship between tattoos and fashion?
Tattoos have became more and more common. I believe that, in our days, tattoos are one of the most popular forms of self expression and definitely related to the fashion world. The aim of fashion, in my opinion, has always been to create a form of statement and that’s exactly what tattoos are about. I think there has always been a strong link between art and fashion that in the modern society has finally extended into the world of tattoos and body modification.

What’s next for The Wildness?
I believe that the steady path between imagination and creation of The Wildness will evolve into many more creations. I’m also working on different collaborations with fashion designers. The ‘Next’ for the Wildness is to keep and progress with the wild pattern of designing and to adorn the best corners of the world with handmade creations…

Check Stefania’s full collection on The Wildness website, www.thewildnessjewellery.com