Designs By Mallory

from Girl Magazine | Issue 001 | Spring

Fairy Floss

Photographed & Interviewed by Daniela Majic

Roses are red meets art deco and Greecian godesses were the first words that sprang to mind backstage at Designs By Mallory’s latest show. The mini six look collection packed a lot of punch at a pop up show held at The Art Gallery of Hamilton. Rose filled fabrics mixed with lace & leather allowed for a dark romantic feel. From blouses and trousers to beautiful formal dresses all the way to a floral dainty robe that reminded us of a princesses nightgown, there truly w- as something for every woman in this collection. Mallory worked with make-up artist Ariel Black who created a futuristic modern art loving woman look. The look was fitting for the location at the gallery and perfectly embodied the sculptural pieces on display in the courtyard. We h- ad the pleasure of chatting with Mallory about her latest collection.

Q: Tell us about your brand ‘Designs by Mallory’

A: My brand got started in 2015. It was a couple of years after I graduated from college and I was working at a fabric store. I was sewing a lot but mostly stuff for myself and custom work. I wanted to test myself and really see if I could put together a collection from start to finish. It was hard work and really tested my technical abilities but it all paid off. I created my first collection “Dreams at Dusk” and Designs By Mallory was born. I design everything from tops to dresses to coats and even overalls. I love having all sorts of different pieces to a collection and being able to mix and match all of it. I have a hard time making up my mind so I decided to just put all the ideas out there.

**Models pose in Designs by Mallory’s latest Collection. Make-up by Ariel Black.**

Q: Tell us about your latest collection?

A: My current collection is called “Roses are Red” and is inspired by passion. To me passion comes from both ends of the spectrum, it can be absolutely fantastic, beautiful, and intensely thrilling. But at the same time it can be dark and heartbreaking, it can make you hit rock bottom with no light insight. I find it so interesting that these two aspects can feel so close together and walk such a fine line. I wanted to show that with this collection. This is only a taste of what the entire show will look like. “Roses are Red” is sexy and daring, intense and romantic, alluring and intimidating. I wanted to challenge myself with having such a strong point of view this time and show a side of myself that only a handful of people have witnessed. My middle name is rose so this is very close to my heart. I love the idea of the rose as a main symbol for the collection because to me it embodies the same idea of passion. A beautiful fragrant flower in this intensely bright red that attracts the viewer but then has these painfully sharp thorns all around it that you don’t expect. I’m fascinated by the total contrast.