Guest blogger*: Dina Ochwada | Shop on Sense of Fashion OneLuv
Dina is the designer behind the label One Luv. Born and raised in Sydney, Dina was known for her creative edge and her thirst for travel. She grew up travelling the world and continued to visit places that fascinated her during her studies (Dina studied Commerce, majoring in Finance and Law before completing her Masters). On her journey she realized that there was an underlying feeling that connected all the people of the world, no matter what their language, race or culture. That feeling was love, and that realization was the inspiration for the name and label: One Luv in 2004.
Dina has been featured in a number of publications, see a selection of One Luv’s coverage here.
1. How did you get started?
Very modestly! I started out making jewelry to earn extra cash while I was studying. I didn’t put a lot of money into it, just $100 to get started with some materials and equipment and away I went. I was not that internet savvy so I actually pounded the pavement going from store to store selling my jewelry to the shop assistants through out Sydney. All the girls new me after a while, they would always ask when I would be making new styles and would complain about how none of the stores had really unique jewelry. That’s when I realized my little hobby could be a lot more…I decided to approach boutique owners to see if they would stock my jewelry. I was so nervous the first time I entered a store, I figured it would take a while before I found one that take me on. To my joy and somewhat disbelief, I picked up the first store I approached and as they say…the rest is history.
2. Describe your line
One Luv is definitely a label for the fashion fierce. It doesn’t shy away from being different and avoids following passing trends. The pieces are unique yet versatile, quirky yet timeless and most of all, they’re really fun!
3. Where do you get your inspiration from?
From LIFE really. I think inspiration and creativity is drawn from one’s experience. So the more rich a life you lead, the more places you travel to and things you experience, the more you have to draw from for inspiration. Each one of my collections reflects a particular time in my life, whether it be a place, a person or experience I had. A lot of the pieces are actually named after places and people that have inspired me.
4. Memorable fashion moment?
It would have to be when I was about 10 years old and I went to my best friend’s Birthday Party dressed as a punk rocker. We went to different schools so I hadn’t met her friends before. We had talked beforehand and decided that “Fancy Dress starting with the letter P” would be an awesome theme for the party. I was so excited to rock out my Punk attire I didn’t bother checking the actual invitation to see if the party was still fancy dress! So I wore far too much make up (even for a grown woman let alone a child), sprayed my hair upright, rocked out a black leather jacket, fishnet stockings… the works….only to show up as the only girl NOT in a pretty floral party dress. The worst part was that the other girls just assumed I was in my usual attire and shunned me for the entire day…ah the fashion faux pas we endure in the name of fancy dress!
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