Denton-based crafter, hot-rod enthusiast, and army wife Dakota Darling talks sewing, Day of the Dead, and pop culture.

Interview: Shoshana Photographs: Courtesy of Dakota Darling

Q: Tell us about the birth of Dakota Darling Designs. How did you get your start and what’s the story behind the name?

I’ve always been crafty! My father is an artist and a photographer, so I grew up in a home with a darkroom and a closet full of art supplies at my fingertips, and my grandmother insisted that I learn to sew before I was even old enough to see over the top of the table!

Selling my art started in high school and trickled into college, but I never really worked at it very hard-life got in the way!  I decided to start re-working my designs and selling my goods on a more serious level about a year ago when  I was asked to be one of the darlings for Hot Rods and Heels. Since then, I’ve opened an Etsy store and I have a website dedicated solely to my work! When I’m not working my day job teaching art, I work on my designs and my inventory for upcoming events.

I grew up in a small town in North Dakota and I’m always very proud to say that I’m from there. I was struggling with what to call my new “company” and my best friend came up with Dakota Darling. I loved it! It really suits me, I think!
 
Q: When did your love affair with sewing and knitting begin?

Oh, goodness…I can’t remember NOT knowing how to sew. I was so young when my grandmother started to teach me, it’s just what we did together. It’s something that really spoke to me. I have some really funny “clothes” that I made for my dolls when I was about 6. They are hand sewn and made from some of the ugliest polyester pants you could imagine! My mother also has a pillow that I made out of an old sweater when I was about the same age.

I started designing and making clothes for myself when I got my first Singer sewing machine for Christmas. I think I was around 11 years old.  Once I had my own machine, that’s all I wanted to do!

Knitting and other fiber art came WAY later. Over the last ten years or so, I’ve challenged myself to learn a new craft every year. About 4 years ago, it was knitting. I bought myself the first Stitch N’ Bitch book, a set of needles, and a ball of pink yarn to get myself started. The moment I figured it out, it was like dancing! I love the clicking of the needles and the methodical nature of the beast. The only time I am sitting still for longer than 15 minutes is when I’m knitting. I can’t get enough of it!!
 

 
Q: You’ve become known for your Dia de los Muertos inspired purses, which are popular year around. What’s behind the current fascination with calaveras?

 I’m not really sure, but I think the state of the nation has something to do with it, to be honest. With the influx of the Mexican population comes the influence of the Mexican culture. People who have never been exposed to the celebrations and art that coincides with the Mexican culture are starting be exposed to it and its beauty. Here, locally, they are starting to appreciate it more and more.  Also, with hot rod culture on the up and up, skulls in general are becoming very popular. The idea of Calaveras and “hot rod art” becoming pop culture is kind of crazy to me…

Q: When not creating art, how do you spend your free time?

 I have two young boys to wrangle!! My kids keep me so busy! As I mentioned before, I’m an art teacher, so I’m at school from 7:30 until around 5:00 Monday through Friday and I do crazy stuff with my kids most weekends. My husband works out of town, so I am a married single mom rearing my boys practically on my own! When he’s home, we do things as a family, so there is really no such thing as free time!
 
Q: What does the future hold for Dakota Darling Designs? Any upcoming projects or events our readers should know about?

 I try not to look too far into the future. I am enjoying the ride!! My art and photography is starting to make its way here and there, so we’ll see, I suppose! I will have some handmade ornaments (and possibly some other art) on display at the Oxide gallery in Denton in November and December and the next show that I will be doing is the Gifts and Garters show on December 5th in Dallas. Holiday shopping season is around the corner, so I’m rolling up my sleeves and stocking up on yarn and fabric!!

Find out more about where to find Dakota’s goods at www.dakotadarling.com.

We sat down with Tara Tonini in her studio to talk about her company Tara to the T, fashion design, feathers, flight attendants, and daydreaming.

Interview & Cover Photograph: Shoshana of Through the Looking Glass. Article Photograph with Car: Scott Hunter Smith

Tell us about the birth of Tara to the T. How did you get your start?

I’m originally from California and I attended the Fashion Institute in Los Angeles. After working in the fashion industry for a while I was hired by a large corporate company. They snatched me up and moved me to big ‘ol Texas. Tara to the T started out as my hobby, just a way for me to express my creativity and design things that I wanted to make, rather than what I had to design at my 8-5 job. Then in January 2009 I started running my business full time.

What were some of your favorite inspirations in your early hair accessory designs?

In the beginning all of my inspiration came from fashion of the 1920’s through 1960’s. I constructed lots of pillbox hats and fun 1920’s inspired oversized fascinators. 

What were some of your most memorable early evolutions?

I participated as a designer in the 2008 Pin Show. The Pin show is a local fashion show that features independent Texas designers. The experience was amazing and it made me very motivated to take my then “hobby” to the next level.

What do you think is secret to your amazing success with the Tara to the T line of hats and hair accessories?

I am an extremely hard worker; I think it runs in my Italian blood, ha-ha. I have also taken several years to create my technique of design and my product is of high quality. I travel the world collecting unique materials and findings to make my designs original. My goal is to create a shopping experience. I have so many retuning customers because they like to hear the inspiration and story behind each design.

Your newest line, Sky Girls is your first full clothing line. How did you make the leap from hats and hair accessories to a full clothing line?

In college I studied apparel, and I always knew in the back of my mind I would enter that market again. So at the 2009 Pin Show I débuted my Sky Girls collection. 

What is the inspiration & concept behind Sky Girls?

My Great Aunt was a stewardess during the Golden Age and when she passed away, I was given her vintage Valentino jacket. After doing some research, I discovered that Valentino designed TWA’s uniforms for several years. So my research continued and my Sky Girls line was created.

I wanted to recapture the image of the 1960’s stewardess. She was fun and playful, yet she was a professional and able to travel the world. All of the Sky Girls dresses are 60’s inspired silhouettes, but they are created with modern fabrications. The dresses are designed out of knit, so they are very easy to wear and super comfortable.
 
In January, you began pursuing your art full time. Please describe your experiences thus far as a full time small business owner.

It has been an interesting six months to say the least. I have managed to launch a clothing line and take my company on the road. Sky Girls is available for sale in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and in New York very shortly. I’m a strong believer that a small business can survive in this day and age, the business owner just has to be creative in a slow economy.

I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by my very talented and supportive friends; this transition wouldn’t have been possible without them.

With so many projects: the Tara to the T hair accessories and hats line, your Steam Punk line, your burlesque inspired line with Ginger Valentine, and Sky Girls, do you ever find time for yourself? What is your method for juggling so many projects?

I do find time for myself; I just don’t sleep much these days ha-ha. My number one hobby is daydreaming. My boyfriend, Joey Seeman is a very talented artist and we spend most of our time daydreaming and brainstorming. This fuels my fire and gets me behind my sewing machine so I can execute my ideas from my head through my fingertips.

My second hobby is dressing up. By designing everything from retro dresses to Steam Punk accessories, I get a chance to dress up and be creative with the entire process.

As for juggling it all, everyone who knows me knows that I live out of my calendar. My key is to mark everything in pencil so that I can be flexible.. I also lock myself if my studio twice a week, to give myself alone time to be creative and stay focused.

Speaking of your partnership with burlesque entertainer Ginger Valentine, what is the name of the line and describe the concept.  What are your thoughts on the relatively recent popularity of the Burlesque revival movement?

While living in Los Angeles, I was fortunate enough to see some very talented burlesque entertainers perform. My favorite book is Pretty Things by Liz Goldwyn and I was able to meet and chat with Miss Goldwyn at a vintage store in Los Angeles one day. So long story short I’ve been a fan of burlesque, its history and most of all it’s costuming for quite some time.

A fellow artist friend recently introduced me to Ginger Valentine and we immediately hit it off! Miss Valentine is an amazing entertainer, her fun and flirty personality shines in all of her performances. I am designing Ginger’s costumes for several upcoming performances and we have launched our Ginger Valentine burlesque starter kit. It débuted at Hot Rods and Heels and we an instant hit for so many of my customers. Inside you get the tips and treats to do a little burlesque of your own. The kits are available on-line June 1st and of course they will be for sale wherever Miss Valentine performs.

What does the future hold for Tara?

My Sky Girls swimsuit line will be for sale in June, I’m very excited about that. I am also having a Carnival theme launch party on Friday June 12th at the Lizard Lounge in Dallas, TX.
 
What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to a woman looking to open her own business in a arts related field?

Do what you love in order to live your dream. When there is passion in your heart and a supportive community around you, the possibilities are endless.