MAMA WAS A ROLLING STONE

Dustie Doll is a fantastic new line created by Dustie Smith, who recently took the time to answer five simple questions about how she created Dustie Doll and where she is going with it.  You may recognize Dustie Doll – they were recently featured in Nylon Mag and the clothes have been spotted on many a celeb.

(L) Derby 3 Row Stud Shorts, (R) Military Dress

1. Please tell us a little about yourself and your past career/jobs before you launched DustieDoll.

I started off by going to Brooks School for Fashion/Design when I was 18 and left early because I was not impressed with the education. I then opened a vintage shop in downtown San Clemente, California. I had so much fun at the vintage shop because I had the freedom to re-create and update the clothing; it was very satisfying seeing people’s response to what was being created. However, I wanted to have my own line, I knew I needed more experience before I took this step, so I decided to finish college. After 1.5 years I received a Certificate in fashion design. I then interned with Harvey’s (Seatbelt Bags), and then almost immediately received a job from Yvette Mandel. I knew I had to work with other companies to learn the ropes, and learn what mistakes not to make. After working with Yvette for around 2 years, I decided to take a break. After 1 year, I knew I needed to save money to start my own line, I have always loved vintage, so I started Ashbury Vintage to raise the money. After a year, I had a nice chunk of money, and while I thought about going and designing for another company ( I even went to an interview, she was younger than me and super successful), I said no way! I told myself to stop being a chicken and just go for it. So I did, after launching, out first order was with Fred Segal, and it just keeps getting better. For the full about go to www.dustiedoll.com.

2. What is the concept behind DustieDoll? What are you aiming to do?

Honestly, I want to look chic, but I don’t want to put the energy into it. I want to feel comfortable, but I want to look as if I fussed for hours. So I decided to design clothing you could throw on, look super ‘It Girl’, and not even try.

(L) High Waist Zipper & Bow Pant, (R) Chain Stud Dress

3. Once the concept was born, what was the process for creating DustieDoll from there?

It is definitely a long process, a process that you need to learn by being in the industry for a while. The fashion industry has a whole language of it’s own. Then there are trims, dyes, fabrics, and all sorts of things that you have to make sure you have access to again when you get an order, that is definitely the biggest challenge. After that, I knew I needed to get the word out there. I knew I had to try and meet with buyers, this was so scary to me, your chances of being rejected are high, but I did it anyways, because this is my dream.

4. What has been the most exciting part of launching DustieDoll? What are your biggest successes?

The most exciting part was getting our first order, having it be from Fred Segal, and having it happen on the first day we took the line out! Also the response from everyone, the magazine interviews with People and Nylon, the celebrities, and all of that. I would say that is all exciting and our biggest successes.

5. What are your plans for the future?

To take over the world! No, but really – just to keep growing the company and to get into major department stores. Also, my husband and I have traveled a lot and we would like to use the financials to help our friends across the world (persecuted people in Vietnam, Thailand refugees, Russian orphans, and the sorts).

GO TO: Dustie Doll

BUY AT: Fred Segal, Pink Laundry & Candace Paige in California, Kitson in Japan, Bettina Duncan & Moxsie online.