Based in Toronto, Ontario and established in 2006, dara dot designs features stylish and practical accessories that are seasonless and perfect for day and night.

From the dara dot designs website:

Designer, owner and Fashion Design grad, Dara Frydman, fell in love with the idea of applying her design background and use of textiles in to her fresh line of accessories. Inspired by mixing the expected with the unexpected, she incorporates a variety of materials such as Modal, leather, coconut shell, and assorted metals. This union of textiles, translates seamlessly in to unique designs striking a timeless yet modern, and handmade feel.

The process of creating something all her own fills her with a sense of accomplishment and integrity, and has proven a most amenable vehicle for translating inner vision to outer reality.

Though she typically works quite deliberately, consciously employing both traditional and innovative techniques, her unconscious tends to leave her with the most avante-garde designs.

“adorn yourself.  handmade tactile treasures.” is what Dara Frydman’s signature reads.  Handmade treasures indeed, I have a couple of the beautiful handmade scarves and I’m looking forward to adding more to my collection.  I wanted to find out more about the woman behind dara dot designs in this feature.

Dara says she has always been a “crafty soul” building something from nothing as a child and it seems she also had a talent for window shopping – she’s been told she was always straining her neck to look at shop windows from her stroller!  It was her grandmother that taught her how to sew and bought her her first sewing machine.

Many of dara dot designs’ top selling and classic pieces make their way into the Spring/Summer 2011 collection but they are punched up with fresh and sweet colours.  Dara expresses her love for mixing the expected with the unexpected such as giving a tough edge to soft modal jersey with leather and metal links.  One of my favorite pieces of the collection is the “fresh scarf” – the perfect and easy way to add interest to any outfit without being overwhelming.

Unlike most people who are either creative or more business minded Dara has “a designer’s soul paired with a business brain”.  She actually loves the administrative end of things making her think that if she weren’t designing she might perhaps enjoy being an accountant or a financial advisor.  “Obsessed” with excel spreadsheets as she puts it makes her the perfect multi-tasker in my eyes.

When asked about the designs themselves, Dara believes in versatility and seasonless dressing.  Each product is designed with care and thought as to how it can be worn daily and throughout each season.  In a world of “fast fashion” and trends that quickly come and go dara dot designs’ hand-made and quality pieces are very unique amongst the sea of one time wear items.

The design process behind dara dot designs is very organic without much structure at all.

“…most of my ideas come from my subconscious.  In the shower, during a dream, at the gym.  Aside from that I have an overflowing collection of magazine clippings, online bookmarks, screen shots and saved looks on a variety of lookbook-esque site.  Whether or not I ever refer back to them is another story in itself, but the inspiration sticks in my subconscious.”

Dara’s typical day also seems without any particular structure.  From production to administrative duties to marketing; each day is different but some degree of social networking is always incorporated.

As with any small business there are always challenges.  Dara stresses the importance of keeping positive and keeping inspiring people nearby.  There will always be ups and downs so it’s also important to keep negative people at a healthy distance although it is those that are not so supportive that can give the biggest push.  The challenge to prove someone wrong can often be just as motivating!
For those out there looking to pursue their artistic dreams Dara advises to have a clear plan of your initial path.

“This (plan) will change constantly, but always keep an updated version tucked in your thoughts – it will keep your grounded.  Also talk to people…there’s a wealth of information out there!”

Great advice and it’s obviously helped Dara to build a successful and unique business.

This summer and fall is extremely busy for dara dot designs.  Almost every weekend from now until mid October dara dot designs will be featured at the Distillery Art Market, you can catch them at the The Clothing Show in September and of course at the One of Kind Show at the end of November.

Be sure to check out Dara on Facebook and on Twitter and of course on her website.