Donya File
With the Emmy Awards airing tonight I thought what better time to interview up and coming Hollywood designer Don~ya. I met Don~ya a couple years ago when I was having a wardrobe malfunction of my own.
Besides being a writer and performer, I also design and create many of my own gowns. There I was on stage for the Reel Awards in Las Vegas, about to have a “Janet Jackson” moment. Suddenly, he appeared.... my knight with shining double sided tape to save the day! He put me back together and we have been long distance friends ever since. We keep in contact via social sites and an occasional desperate call from for his tailoring tips and advice for on home spun creations.
Today he is sharing his insights and inspirations with all of you starlets looking for a new designer, and those of you wanting to become a designer.
Dawnn: Don~ya when did you first start designing clothes?
Don~ya: “OMG ...thats a dangerous question to ask me..haha.
well, funny thing is I didn’t want to be a designer. I grew up with my grandparents and my Grama taught me to sew. she taught me basics like doing a hem and sewing on buttons. She did this because she believed in always looking well put together and tailored. She would even do little things like remove a button to see if I would notice and repair it."
"On Sundays, when getting ready to go to church, she would always put on a slip under her skirt, but she would always put a slip on that was way too long for the skirt. She was testing me with the 'being put well together' concept. I would tell her "Grama...your slips too long...go change'. She taught me to sew and use the machine at the age of 5.”
“I'm the middle child, and have an older sister. She had TONS of Barbies...most of which didn’t have clothes. So, I would make dresses for them with socks that didn’t have pairs. but my Grama always had little projects to do, and with me wanting to spend time with her. I would always offer to help. thru this I learned construction of a garment. I cant even tell you how many sheets i used of hers to make Marilyn 'Seven Year Itch' dresses and poodle skirts. I LOVE the 50’s, and used to dance with my sister and neighbor, so I used to make poodle skirts they could wear to dance in.”
“To make a long story short, at the age of 18, I began to design for Barbie. I would only make one of a kind dolls that would be auctioned off for charity purposes. I ONLY did this for the charity part, and NOT because I wanted to be a designer. Then one thing lead to another and I found myself making dresses for girls in my church, tailoring for my pastor and giving my time to make costumes for local elementary and middle schools in the city of Tucson, AZ. I was doing all this sewing out of my heart because I had something to offer and NOT because I wanted to be a designer. I even used to pray against it.."God...take this cup (designing) from me..but if its your will then I will obey. But I don’t really wanna do this". “
‘So to fight this, I enlisted in college to become an interpreter for the deaf...but while in school “HOLLYWOOD” came calling. The next thing I know I'm driving out to L.A to meet a famous costumer for the film industry named Kelli Lindquist, and I began working on films...and so here I am...a designer! I became a full time designer at the age of 25.”
Dawnn: What were your first creations?
Don~ya: “My first creations were the poodle skirts I made for my sister and neighbor...and "Seven Year Itch" dresses for my little brother to wear for Halloween. The thing that made me a designer was when I recreated the famous Ruby Slippers.”
Dawnn: I see you love some of the same TV shows as I do. You listed oldies but goody "The Golden girls", "Will and Grace" and current reality hit "Project runway". Do any of these shows ever inspire your creations?
Ruby Slippers Displayed @ THE HOLLYWOOD MUSEUM in Hollywood
Don~ya: “Oh yeah...every time I see Project Runway I wanna get up and create something..and most of the time I do. But I think the main show that REALLY inspires me is “I LOVE LUCY”! In my eyes LUCY was and is a fashion icon. I mean...sit and watch the show and really pay attention to her outfits...and the fit of them...and all her accessories.”
“The one show that really stands out to me is the episode where Lucy and Ethel are performing, and they both end up wearing the same dress. As they sang they began ripping each other’s dresses apart. Hahahaha....What a great episode. That episode showed me how creative the costume designer of the show got..and how creative I could be. I LOVE LUCY!”
Dawnn: You also have "The Wizard of Oz" as one of your favorites and I noticed you have the ruby slippers for your icon on myspace. What makes that film so special to you?
Don~ya: “Well....its a real personal thing for me. My childhood was filled with confusion. Alot of love, but at the same time filled with abuse. I remember sitting at my parents house all alone (I'm 6 yr. old at this time) and I see the commercial for“The Wizard of Oz”. In that commercial they showed a little part of munchkin land with Glinda in it. When I saw all the colors, and that there was a witch and her beautiful gown, and just the happiness I could see filled the movie..I was in love. I was determined to watch it.”
“The day it was to air, my parents took us out. I remember crying and crying because I knew the movie was on and that I was missing it. My parents offered to rent it for me, and to get me to stop crying they offered to take me to Mc Donald’s. Thats how it became my favorite movie and Mc Donald’s became my favorite place to eat.”
“I fell in love with Judy Garland...and Gilbert Adrian, the costume designer of the film. to this day he is my FAVORITE designer. Everything he is, and he believed about fashion is everything I am and stand for today. He was known as “Designer of the Stars”, and no one since him has ever had that title....until now, ME! I got this title because of my replica “Ruby Slippers”. They are the most exact replicas ever made...and this famous costumers' mother has this weird link to the Oz movie..and when she saw them in person she said that I reminded her of Adrian. She knew him personally, and the words “Designer of the Stars” rolled out her mouth and so I now carry Adrian’s legacy thru my designs.”
Dawnn: Most people would agree that a gown or costume can really make a lasting impact on a film. What costume designs in films past, and present have given you inspiration you as a designer?
Photo Below: Don~ya orginal for Actress Ashley Judd
Don~ya: “Well...I'm real in love with the classic Hollywood films. A lot of Adrian’s work can be seen in the classics. I'm inspired by the styles of Judy Garland, Joan Crawford, Lana Turner, Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Jeanette MacDonald...and my all time favorite; MARILYN MONROE. The two male figures that inspire me are the two legendary kings...Elvis and Michael Jackson.”
“I can’t really put my finger an any one film that would be my favorite, but there is one that definitely stands out for me. At this very moment I cant remember the name of it, but a good amount of the actresses I mentioned above are in it and Adrian was the costume designer of the film. The film is a black and white but in the middle of the film they put on a fashion show..and the fashion show is in color. I FELL IN LOVE with that film....OMG...if i could remember the name I would say it, but if you haven’t watched it you HAVE TO!!! Its a fashion MUST!”
“Another film costumer and designer I love is Travilla...designer to Marilyn Monroe. OMG....all his work is AMAZING. I have had the privilege of replicating some of his amazing work...and in doing this it has allowed me into his brain when creating that outfit or costume for Marilyn. Costumes do make impacts on film."
"We all can remember certain garments like: the “Seven year itch” dress, all of “Scarlette’s” gowns from “Gone With the Wind”, “Dorothy’s” gingham dress and her Ruby Slippers..but not just the classics...even modern movies like “Legally Blonde” and “The Devil Wears Prada”. We all can remember a certain outfit from our favorite films. So I always keep this in mind because I see my world as one big film...and I need to make my costumes or garments memorable.”
Dawnn: As an up-and coming Hollywood designer I know you have designed for many high profile stars. Can you drop some names?
Don~ya: Well....with my love for the classics, I am drawn to working with legends that are still alive. So..lets start with them. Ummm...Faye Dunaway, Renee Taylor, legendary soul singer Freda Payne, Americas sweet heart www.tiffanithiessen.com, actress Jo Champa, former Miss USA and actress Kelli McCarty, BET/VH1 hostess Amanda Amann, actress Izabella Miko and “Karate Kid 2” actress Tamlyn Tomita. There are a few more people that I am working on on getting my designs on..like Paris Hilton, Janice Dickinson and Tyra Banks. I'm REEEAAAALLLLL close to getting Don-ya' on them.
Dawnn: Do the stars tell you what they want, or do they leave it up to you to come up with a specific design ?
Don~ya: “Well...everyone has a certain idea in their heads on how they wanna look. they feel comfortable in certain things and like to show off certain parts of their body. Most of the time with whoever I'm working with they have never really had anything custom made for them. They either have a stylist who dresses them or they dress themselves. So I have had the privilege of making first custom garments for my clients.”
“On the set of a film I was working on with Tiffany Amber Thiessen,I sketched for her a design. With that design, she opened up to me on what she wanted to show, and a certain fit she wanted. That was all the input she gave me. but it was enough input to let me know everything I needed to know to design something great for her. Her input showed me how she loved her body and how she wanted to show it...and how comfortable she felt in certain outfits."
"So, I sketched her 3 more gowns...and from that she picked one. It was a simple gown, cut on the bias, tight around the waist and hips, and a low cut bodice that didn’t really make cleavage. It was classy and sexy at the same time.”
“But, alot of people say they are ready for a designer to make something custom for them, and they want the vision of the designer in the design...but once its made they learn that they weren’t ready and that they are really stuck on their way of dressing. So, I haven’t really made too many garments that i can say are 100% Don-ya'. “
Dawnn: Which star or stars do you dream of designing for "as your ultimate client" ?
Don~ya: “ooooo....thats a hard one. I guess I'm on a mission to work with as many of living legends that I can. With artist of today, I can really say I don’t have any. If I have to give you names...I guess I would name: Tyra Banks, Beyonce, DIANA ROSS!!!!, ANNE HATHAWAY (ooo...I LOVE her!!!!),Meryl Streep, Oprah, Ashly Judd...sheesh, I know I got more but cant think of them right now.”
Dawnn: "In your expert opinion what the "must haves" every girl should have in her wardrobe?
Don~ya: "Well, every girl should have the classic little black dress as it can be worn whenever. But make sure its a cute one, (ha ha) but I'm more of an accessory kinda guy. You might not have a huge wardrobe, but if you have a ton of accessories then you can dress up anything...over and over again. HAVE BLING!!!!! I'm all about DIAMONDS!!! They are a girls bestfriend! I LOVE blingy bracelets!!!! I have about 4 of them...all vintage; they bling brighter and are prettier! And have enough shoes...they help in changing outfits if you don’t have that huge wardrobe.".jpg)
Dawnn: It seems you would be a shoe in for Project Runway. Have you ever considered auditioning for the show?
Photo above Don~ya design worn by
Amanda Amann at the 12th Annual Urban Wheel Awards
Sketch right>>>>>>>>
Don~ya: “Yes...I went to try out once.... stood in line for 9 hours; with my model in a sheer gown and she was nude. It was HELLA cold out. We got to be about 5 to the door of the hotel when they told us to go home and come back the next day because they ran out of time with the hotel room they had rented for the day. But thank God I didn’t go in...my portfolio was NOT professional at the time...so they would have laughed at me. My 2010 fashion show that will be held in Tucson wil help update my portfolio so that I can audition for the show this coming season."
Dawnn; Many designers plan to go Global with their own line, while others prefer to stay focused on creating specific costumes for film, or clients. Which path do you plan to take?
Don~ya: "If ever a line with Don-ya's name on it it would end up being a line that was thought up by someone else and they just used my name and skill to make the line come into reality. I am talking with former Miss USA and actress Kelli McCarty on a jean line and possibly a hoodie line. All ideas for the jean line are Kellis', I'm just helping with the design, since I understand cuts and fabrics."
"I am more a ONE OF A KIND designer. this always makes my clients happy and coming back for more. I believe that NOT EVERYTHING OUT THERE LOOKS GOOD ON EVERY BODY. Every body is made different....and custom made garments ALWAYS look better. I love making my clients feel special knowing that a garment was made SPECIALLY for them and that they're the only person to own that garment."
Dawnn: You are such a positive person and I see you have "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coehlo listed as one of your favorite books. "The Alchemist" is one of my favorite books too. Do you recommend it to others to read?
OMG...YESSSSS!!!! I was introduced to the book by an INCREDIBLE actor by the name of Chris; (who’s name I cant think of at this moment...and if he would have responded to the texts I sent then I would have given it to you..haha), but we worked on the film REPO. We clicked right from the beginning. sharing our hopes and dreams. The thing that got me was; like myself, he had moved to L.A to pursue his dreams. there was something 'magical' that happened with our meeting, so we stayed in contact and became best friends. We say we're both gonna win our Oscars on the same day...and that we are climbing this 'ladder' together. I introduced him to "THE SECRET" and he introduced me to this AMAZING book (The Alchemist). it took me about a year to read it. I would start it but then would become distracted with work. I'm the kinda person that when I start a book I have to read it thru."
"So, January 2008 i told myself that I was gonna read it...and I did. and let me tell you...I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!! OMG....what an amazing ending. It inspired and motivated me.... it really is a magical book..and I feel if you have a dream and goal then this book will really open your eyes. It gets you deep in your soul and does something I can not explain."
"I am reading it again; at this very moment. its just one of them books I have to read every once in a while. Everytime I go thru a valley or dry spell in my career...Chris will text me: READ THE BOOK. its always uplifting.So what I plan on doing with my copy of the book is mail it to different people around the world and have every person who reads it sign it and put what part of the world they are in. I feel the world needs to read this book. It’s a MUST!"
Dawnn : What advice would you give aspiring designers?
Don~ya: "BE YOURSELF!!!! I keep hearing; like on Project Runway, designers will tell you that you need to keep your eye on what’s going on out in the world of fashion. Well....I don’t agree with this. Fashion is to be created, and not re-created. If I were to watch what fashion is going on out there...then I feel my designs wouldn’t be ORIGINAL or AUTHENTIC. My designs come from within. I can’t tell you where it comes from...it just comes. And thats how fashion designing should be. Who cares what LOUIE or PRADA, GUCCI or VERSACE are putting out there... just be yourself. THATS IT! Give your client something original...something special ONE OF A KIND!"
"I have really fallen in love with what I do. with EVERYTHING I create or recreate I put my ALL..my soul heart...EVERYTHING into it. I have a dream to touch and change the world with my garments and designs. CHANGING THE WORLD ONE GARMENT AT A TIME!...thats what I'm gonna do."
Don~ya on Myspace :
www.myspace.com/designerofthestars
Don-ya's 2010 fashion show; titled "Me In The Mirror", will be Feb 27, 2010 in Tucson, AZ. For more info please feel free to contact him at the links below or gadrian1060@yahoo.com
More Links!
Don~ya on Model Mayhem :
www.modelmayhem.com/designerofthestars
Don~ya on Twitter :
Don~ya on IMDB :
Related Links:
www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/project-runway/
Wizard of Oz Anniversary Edition
Comments
The movie you could not remember is called "The Women"
Nice interview, Don-ya.
Great info.
So thorough.
Like to own a piece.
Nice interview, Don-ya.
why dont you have your own website?
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