The Birth of DYLAN

Let's take a step back to 8, 9 years ago....

One of my first professional outfits was from MNG and then ZARA opened its first store here before more outlets of the 2 brands started sprouting out ...Then I started moving on to BLUM for more OOAK (One of a kind pieces) but I realised that even though I was paying a premium price, I still remained not fully satisfied of my dress. I was still teaching then and was not given much time aside to grouse about my wardrobe , but I made daily efforts daily to dress up well just to teach. I dare say my sense of style never fails to lend a "perk me up at work" and sets me apart from the other teachers. My students were often fascinated with my workgear and mind you, girls at the age of 9 already have an eye of a hawk for fashion. They could tell if I ever wore a pencil cut denim skirt on consecutive days.

I guess I am a vainpot and a girl who loves looking well groomed.I love colours and have learnt during my St Nicks school days what are the kind of colours complimented my skin tone. As I grew older, I still continued to experiment until I discover the right palette for myself.And one thing for sure is that I dont follow any fashion trends. Before you lambast me, dont get me wrong.I love reading up on the latest fashion trends in magazines and blogs but not everything suits me and my lifestyle you see. It's just like I covet those Herve Leger bandage dresses but I seldom get a chance to don them. Those boyfriend blazers are absolutely trendy and raging!!! But it's just really hot to wear them here in Singapore (as compared to the streets of New york or London) and now that I'm a mom, I am all the more a firm believer of practicality.

The birth of my son gave me more time to delve into this world of fashion. Many have noticed that the label is named after my little boy.This is because the birth of him is a very significant part of my life that brought about this change in career.DYLAN also falls in line with my strong advocacy to STAND ON YOUR OWN which is both applicable to dressing up and to my lil boy gaining independence.

Getting back to how my love for designing first started. It actually began when I was scouring through vintage clothes selections online or be it estate sales and flea markets in the other countries, I realise that my love for the 1950s and 60s holds strong.I notice that what reign in my wardrobes are the classics sheaths and shifts.It was inherent that classics designs are definitely my love, but unfortunately I have too little of them. It's then when I start to turn to the stores locally to look for the kind of dresses I wanted and was very much disappointed.The kind of hemlines I wanted could not be found, the kind of colour, the kind of fabric.. it jus goes on...This was when I started exploring the idea of designing and making my own dress...

I bought tonnes of books on fashion designing projects, I started practising on sketches and I visited the fabric markets both locally and overseas to study the fabrics and even linings.I actually did enrolled in a school for dressmaking, I asked and tried to learn everything that was needed in this line. Unfortunately due to rigidity of time in looking after my boy, I had to stop lessons and started learning under an experienced seamstress which gave me more flexibility to juggle work and being a mom.

I keep the the pieces of each designs to a minimal few pieces to maintain exclusivity. That's why I turn to designing my own frock in the first place---to be unique. Like I say, it would be an utter embarassment to run into your twin at any event even though you both could be wearing a 8, 9 hundred dollar ,designer number.No lady would like that to happen to her.Having a sharp eye for good quality and unique fabrics helps in this line and this is what brings clients back for more, along with more personalised services.So with the mantra of being unique and to STAND ON YOUR OWN, I created 3 lines for DYLAN this year--
-No More Monday Blues, In the Mood for Love and Get Carrie-d away. You could read more about the meaning behind them over here.

I am really pleased and happy with the support and advice I am getting on this journey since the birth of DYLAN , thanks everyone and I do hope for more good things to come.^-^

With love,
Elaine