Folklore Fashion

I adore pretty dresses, especially pretty dresses that are made by local gals. So, when I stumbled upon pictures of the Folklore range (made by Thaya and Laura in Cape Town) I was instantly smitten. Not only are these dresses 100% cotton and very cute, but they are also very versatile. I can totally see myself  wearing the red dress (pictured below) from the beach to smart cocktails, by just adding heels and some sparkles.

Anyway, because I liked the range  so much (and im rather nosey) I decided to pose a few questions to Thaya about her dresses…..

Why and When did you decide to start your own clothing label?

Why? My shop found its way into a bigger store that is renowned for great fashion and upon suggestion of the owners of Mythology, I decided to take the plunge! When? I suggested starting a range to my friend when she said she had 3 months of varsity vac over December, Jan & Feb. She thought the idea was fab and we embarked on a journey that turned out to be far harder work than we had first anticipated! But we’ve learnt so much and I amloving being a designer now.

Why did you name your range ‘Folklore?’

I didn’t have to think very long about a name that would represent the style of our range accurately, as Folklore came to mind almost immediately. The name Folklore, which means ‘tales and myths that are passed down from generation to generation,’ lends a certain story-book charm to our range. The word conjured up images of townsfolk sitting around campfires in the forest, sharing exciting tales, entranced by the art of story-telling. My friend Laura Haworth, who I collaborate with on the range, loved it immediately too and seeing as our range has folk and vintage undertones, we felt it was the perfect choice.

Where will you be getting your inspiration for the winter 2010 range and when will it be in stores?

I can’t speak for Laura, but I gather most of my inspiration from the forests, rivers and mountains where I live, from the fabric I find, from images I carry around with me in my head, from mood boards I create and from stories I see unfolding in my imagination. My friend Laura is a full-time student at university, so we design new garments together during her vacation only! It’s pretty stressful but its worked for us so far. We’ll be doing some all-nighters soon when she is available again and we’ll hopefully have our Autumn/Winter range ready by May. In the mean time, there will be three new frock designs in store by next week, which can easily be worn with a sweet cardigan or vintage shawl on cooler days :)

If you want to order a dress online or contact Thaya, you can visit  www.beatnikbazaar.co.za for details. You can also find the Folklore dresses at: Mythology & company stores ( located at 100 Main Road, Kalk Bay OR 111 Waterkant Street, De Waterkant )