Hi honey, how are you? Thank you for popping in to see what I can offer you in my little business. Since encouragement from family and friends I finally decided to get qualified in Fashion Design and Soft Furnishings in 2004 and take my long-standing love for creating things with fabric from just a hobby and turn it into a business. Queue the creation of ‘Dolly’s Designs’. Why Dolly? I hear you say, well that is another story!
When I was a baby, I was so small, and my dad always said I looked just like a doll and took to calling my ‘Dolly’ and then it just stuck. Still to this day I’m always Dolly to my dad. Anyway, I’ve gone off on a tangent as usual, if you know me, you’ll know it’s a regular occurrence. Back to what we were talking about. I started gaining my qualification from 2000 right through to 2008. Here’s a list as its just easier!
- City and Guilds in Machine Embroidery from East Midlands Further Education Council in 2000.
- BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fashion Design from Bray Institute of Further Education in 2004.
- City and Guilds in Tailoring and Soft Furnishings in 2005.
- City and Guilds in Machine Embroidery in 2005.
- Record of Achievement (NCVA) in Garment Construction, Pattern Draughting, and Communication Skills in 2005.
- Level 2 in Art, Design and Creative Studies. Awarding Body Consortium Certification in 2005.
- City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Delivering Learning and Introduction in 2006.
- City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Design and Craft (furnishings) in 2006.
- City and Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Design and Craft (fashion) in Context of Fashion Wear in 2007.
- City and Guilds Diploma in Design and Craft (soft furnishings) in 2008.
From gaining my qualifications I knew that I wanted to offer these as a business. Dolly’s Designs started in my garage where I welcomed a number of people through the doors wanting everything from bespoke wedding dresses and wedding party accessories to roman blinds, curtains, matching cushions and so much more.
MY WHY
My background is in the hair and beauty industry where I’ve always said I get my artistic flair from. I spent 12 years in this industry that I adored but as life goes, I could no longer stay working within it. I was blessed with a family and due to the health issues of my second daughter I had to give up full time work. This is one of my main reasons for starting this business. My daughter, Tara, has a severe medical condition which meant as she grew up, she needed around the clock care. I became her primary carer but knew I also wanted to pursue my dreams of creating and designs pieces through fabric into a business. Working for myself allowed me the freedom to always be there for my family but also gain the satisfaction of seeing my customers light up when viewing my creations for the first time. Soft furnishings really do make all the difference when it comes to dressing a room and creating these finishing touches for my clients have been such a driving force as I adore giving people happiness in abundance.
The same goes for any work I have done in the wedding industry. Getting married is the happiest time in your life but the planning side, can be the most stressful time of your life! What really lights me up is taking the stress away from my brides and creating their dream dresses, bridesmaid’s dresses, and all the accessories for the wedding party, to bring together the perfect aesthetic and make their dream day a reality.
MY PHILOSOPHY
Creating bespoke pieces for my clients is what really drives me to do what I do. Having them come to me with an idea and then being able to tap into my artistic background and design the item of their imagination and is such a privilege. Working for myself allows me the freedom to work the hours that not only suit myself but also my clients so that I can help as many people as possible.
One of my biggest passions in life is seeing the reaction my clients have when collecting their items for the first time, the joy within them brings a light to not only their faces but their whole being. Whether that’s the perfect cushion to help them remember a loved one, a bride putting on her dress for the first time and it fitting perfectly or stepping into a garment that for the first time ever fits just so and gives them that boost of confidence to wear it and not let the garment wear them.
I’ve found my happiness in life, so now let me help you find yours, with fabric.