Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Ansari.
Hi Dominique, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Fashion has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, I was always drawn to creativity and self-expression through art and fashion. By the time I was 11 years old, I already knew that fashion was more than just an interest for me; it was something I truly loved and wanted to pursue seriously.
I started sketching designs in middle school and at first, it was just something I liked doing for fun, but people started to notice my art and asked to look at my sketch book. I was asked to design dresses for my classmates for prom, and I even designed a concept for one of my high school teacher’s wedding gowns. Seeing my ideas come to life was exciting and that is when I realized fashion design could become my future.
My sophomore year in high school, I started modeling with a local agency in New Orleans and this gave me some exposure to the fashion world, but I still felt more connected to the creative side of designing. I loved seeing the beautiful technical side of fashion and I really wanted to create it.
My mom offered to send me to sewing classes, but I declined as I wanted to learn the industry way of making garments and looked toward fashion design colleges to pursue my degree in design.
At 19, I met my husband, and after we married, we made a dramatic life change and moved to California so I could pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer. I attended California Design College which later became the Art Institute of Hollywood. There I learned everything from patternmaking, costume design and draping, to garment construction, which allowed me to transform my sketches into reality.
One of the most life changing experiences was when I got the opportunity to study abroad in Milan, Italy, where I attended Fashion Week, went to fashion factories, saw how shoes were made, and attended the art academia NABA in Milan through my college. I lived there for 3 months traveling throughout Italy, Spain, Greece, and France. This heavily inspired my design influence by not only the people, but the food, culture, and art.
After Graduation, I interned at a few fashion companies, and gain experience with manufacturing and apparel design. I learned a lot from an independent designer that I interned for, that showed me that I could go independent with my designs and how to get my designs into boutiques. I did a few freelance positions and then got hired on as an assistant designer with a kid and junior brand. I learned a lot during that time about how the fashion industry operates behind the scenes, but I also realized that I didn’t want to spend my career creating someone else’s vision. I wanted to tell my own story through fashion.
I left southern California and moved to the San Francisco Bay area, and it was there that I officially launched my brand and started my line under my name, Dominique Ansari. I started doing lots of photoshoots, and fashion shows to network and grow.
I was a featured designer headliner at Los Angeles Fashion Week for Project Ethos. I debuted my collection alongside several amazing designers, including project runway winner Seth Aaron. This gave me the confidence to keep pursing this as a career.
Over the years, I’ve showcased my collections at trade shows, fashion events, and had my designs in boutiques in different parts of the country. My first international show case was in 2016, where I showcased in Vancouver Canada during fashion week, debuting my first couture collection. My collection was covered by press such as Vogue UK and Glamour UK at this event. It was an incredible milestone that younger me would have only dreamed of.
Today, I design from my home studio in Houston, where I create pieces for clients from all different backgrounds. I make everything from swimwear to children’s wear, and I even designs prints for fabric.
My journey over the years has shaped me into the designer I am today. Fashion is very personal to me, and it has the power to change your whole outlook on life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I believe learning from the challenges that I have faced has made me a better designer. I never stop learning. I’m always learning new techniques or new equipment that I need to use to improve my skills and become better at my craft.
One of the biggest struggles is juggling the business side, alongside the creative side. Designing comes naturally to me, but trying to build a brand from the ground up required me to get out of my comfort zone, and learn marketing, manufacturing, customer service, production, and how to adapt to the industry changing constantly.
Being an independent designer, without major investment or a large team means that I have to wear multiple hats; designer, seamstress, photographer, and business manager, and it could be overwhelming at times, especially while trying to establish myself in such a competitive field.
There were also times where there were financial pressures, collection not doing as well as hoped, or learning by making mistakes along the way. There was a lot of sacrifice, and hard work, and persistence. I still remember doing cold calls when I first started to get my brand in stores.
Balancing a work life balance was also a challenge, as a mom of two, there was times when I brought my kids when they were babies to fashion shows, and photoshoots, or held them while I sewed a garment. It was tough but rewarding.
I still sometimes struggle with this, even though my kids are a little older, there are always decisions where I have to see if I can do a shoot, or show, or go to my kid’s sports or school function. Obviously, the latter wins most of the time.
Every challenge pushed me to continue to share my designs with the world.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a full time Fashion Designer, and I specializes in mostly women’s wear, but have branched out into children’s, and pattern textile design. I make couture gowns as a passion and to show my creativity, but I sell my ready to wear line on my website and other handmade marketplaces. I’ve made custom pieces for clients and love making costumes when given the opportunity.
I’m most known for my versatility and my ability to merge high fashion pieces into everyday wearable clothing. I love draping fabric and making garments that move with bold silhouettes with fabrics that create flattering looks. I combine glamour and comfort in my ready to wear looks, and feminine and expressiveness in my couture garments.
One thing that sets me apart, is that I built my brand from nothing, just selling a line from a few scrape fabrics. I paid for my first fashion event this way, saving up anything I earned and putting it into the business. I opened up my own studio from what I made the first year from my sales. I am heavily involved in every aspect of my designs and create every piece with love and care.
I’m especially proud of the opportunities I’ve had showcasing my work at different fashion weeks, especially the Vancouver Fashion week, as it was the highlight of my career. I’ve even had my design on a tv series, called The Fosters that was airing on Freeform at the time; the actress wore my dress in a party scene, and the episode aired on my birthday back in 2016. It was such a surreal experience.
What I’m most proud of all is that I stayed true to my vision and continued to grow, while building a brand that reflects who I am as a designer.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I definitely would not have been able to build my career without the support of my family, friends, educators, clients, fellow creatives, and industry professionals who believed in me and encouraged me to keep going, especially during difficult moments.
My husband has been one of my biggest supporters from the beginning. When we moved to California, so I could pursue fashion design, he supported me financially and was there assisting at every show. Having someone who believed in my dreams, and support my vison made a huge difference.
My parents also gave so much during the time I was preparing my event at Vancouver fashion week. My father made an incredible personal sacrifice along with my mother for me and my family. At the time my oldest son was a toddler, and my parents watched my son while I was away so that I could pursue an opportunity at Vancouver Fashion Week.
I learned after the show that my father had been dealing with a cancer diagnosis and chose not to tell me until after the show because he did not want me to lose focus or give up the opportunity. My mother also held onto the secret until after I returned, knowing that I would not have pursued showcasing. I am forever grateful and it is a sacrifice that I would never forget. My father is with me in spirit for every event I have done since, and I often think about him when I’m designing. He used to sew clothing as well, and so did his mom, so maybe I got it from them.
My sister has supported me financially by donating when she could, whether it would be her time, or to aid me in purchasing something I needed for my business. She was always there promoting and sharing any and everything about my brand. She has even helped me backstage, something she still talks about this day.
I’ve had lots of people support me along the way, from clients to former models, that cheered me on and wanted me to succeed, and I appreciate each and every one of them. I am incredibly grateful for every ounce of support that I have received from my former teachers to the love my family and friends have given me,
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dominiqueansari.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiqueansari/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueAnsariDesigner/
