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The moment I stepped foot into Dolatian, I was greeted by a charming individual by the name of
Ara. Music playing gently in the background, I took some time to appreciate my
new surroundings - stunning artwork, necklaces sporting peculiar insect
species, an array of bright red dinosaur figurines, miniature ponies, and most
importantly - fashion. With its unique and sharp designs, Dolatian breathes something new and fresh into the Melbourne fashion scene. I had a chance to speak with Ara, the owner and mind behind Dolatian.
So Ara, tell us the
story behind the name Dolatian?
Well it’s actually my surname.
How did your label
begin?
I started off with tailored shirts, it was a small collection that I put together while
I was in my final year in the fashion course.
I found it difficult to find elegant pieces that encompassed a mark of
individuality and dare, and so I continued to create such pieces and have
continued to develop my label ever since.
What were you doing
before you opened your store?
I went to fashion school for three years and did a small
business course, and began by wholesaling.
Then I decided to give myself the freedom to expand my ideas and my
collections and thus began my boutique on Greville St. Amongst all of this I have also always worked
on sketches, paintings and sculptures as part of my creative process. It is from these that the individual prints
on my shirts and t-shirts are taken from.
Describe some of your
favourite pieces?
I have a strong connection with the prints that I do because
of the time I spend doing them, and the stories that they represent. I am very excited about the Winter
collection. I have focused on dark and
heavy pieces such as black tailored
jackets, biker and military style jackets and
detailed skinny leg pants with leg straps. I suppose you could say that I have been
inspired by the current cultural climate, and this has crept into my work.
Who buys your
clothing?
Mainly guys in creative and arts industries such as graphic designers, musicians, dancers and artists.
Where do you look for
inspiration and ideas?
That is a hard one to answer. I can’t ever say that I go searching for
inspiration. In fact, being a creative person
I find that I am inspired by most things.
Having said that, creatively I respond strongly to Japanese animae and
design and peculiar objects and patterns.
I am passionate about quirky absurdities, which I think is evident when
you come into my shop. I think with the
way that the world is, it is nice to offer some form of fantasy.
What are your goals
for this year?
To break into the Japanese market, because there I would be
in my element!
What do you think of Melbourne fashion today?
I think we are lucky in this city to have a wide diversity
of fashion, in the sense that you can basically wear whatever you want. However, I think that it still suffers from
being too main stream in that it seems to take its direct influences from
particular movements. I would like to
see a few more people really breaking the boundaries of what we conceive
fashion to be in Melbourne. We do have some amazing designers.
Have there been any
challenges?
It would be easier if you asked me if there has ever been
something that wasn’t a challenge! I
have pushed myself harder than I ever thought possible. And it doesn’t get easier as the dream
unfolds.
Describe your label
in a sentence.
Without borders
You can find Dolation at 117 Greville Street, Prahran. You can contact Dolation by telephone at 9521 3913 or check out www.myspace.com/dolatianclothing.
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