As one of Australia's favourite affordable and quality accessories brand, if you have not owned one of Dylan Kain's unique yet timeless pieces, chances are you will some day soon.
Creative director and designer behind the brand Bonnie Davis spent 5 minutes chatting all things DK with us.
Q: Hi Bonnie, welcome to the Woman Of Series! Can you tell us what it is you create?
I manage the creative direction at DK - campaigns - shoooting, styling, creative direction, video editing, website, collections etc. A bit of everything with the help of the epic women that I work with.
Q: When did you start designing? What inspired you to go down this path?
I started designing swim and boardshorts in the surf industry - when my boyfriend at the time (now husband) was travelling the world as a designer, I decided that it looked like it was a pretty amazing job!
Q: Talk us through your creative process. How do you reach your signature style?
I try to design bags that dress up a basic denim and a tee shirt - and also pieces that convert from a strap free clutch - to a chain bag - to a leather cross body - it’s important to me that each design has as many ways to style it.
I wanted an aesthetic that was simple, easily recognised and unique to us. I always try and ensure we are creating designs that are timeless and high quality and now we are also focusing on new materials and techniques to increase our sustainability practices and overall impact.
Q: What is your favourite piece you’ve created? Why?
I love that 5 of the first 6 pieces I ever designed are still our top sellers. It’s a testament to longevity and beauty of having something that is unique and never really ‘on trend’ - good design is always more important.
I love The Large LSC Bag - it’s super sleek design and comes apart into two pouches that you can make into two separate bags. It’s a bigger version of our original style - The LSC - making it the perfect size for everyday. The simple styling means it goes with everything.
Q: What single tool or strategy have you found invaluable to your business so far?
Having the right people to work with everyday - people are everything :)
Q: What (and who) is involved in the process of bringing your products to life?
Everyone jumps in and does a little bit of everything, but we have a wholesale manager, creative director, studio/production manager, mens designer, customer service manager, pr and marketing assistant. My mum does our book keeping and then we have a gorgeous lady who manages our quality and production.
Q: What is your big hope and dream for your work?
To continue to be an independent designer that can create and have our little family be sustained off that. To be in this little studio creating every day is pretty special. I’d like to continue that :) But keep it a little less stressful if possible.
Q: What are your top 3 superpowers?
To save money, I tried to learn as much as I could about every part of business, design, manufacturing, ‘the books’ etc and did it myself long enough to understand what needed to be done. It helped me get to a point where I knew what I could do - and not do - and what I needed to outsource. The ability to give it a crack is definitely my first super power.
The second is that I am able to take life a little less seriously than I used to - which is a super liberating power.
And the third is that I am good at choosing great people to be around everyday.
Q: We’re all about women inspiring women. Who inspires you?
My Mum, aunties and sisters are the most inspirational to me, as well as the women on my team and our customers who inspire me everyday. Designer wise, Lucy Folk and Kym Ellery will always be inspiring.
Q: What advice would you impart on the next generation of women, and women in business?
Confidence is key - you can do it if you believe you can and keep taking those steps forward to get where you want to go - and keep going - you’ll get there eventually - or somewhere even better.
