Guest editor for a week: Moriam

The most underrated thing in life is the pursuit of happiness. Living each day in and out trying to find out what that actually is pretty tiring too and often we’re inundated with distractions of pessimism and negative thoughts brought to us as a kind ‘protection’ thing. In all honesty those who tell us to us to watch out, be careful, think again and not to take any risks are actually thinking more of themselves than of us. For if you were to chase and find your happiness where would they then be?

I myself was lucky to have always known which direction I wanted to go in my life. In fact from the age of 11 I knew it and pursued it. Happiness to me is in knowing who you are separate from who other think you are or expect of you. Happiness is going after your dreams, daring to take the step and just doing it.
Of course it’s scary at times, but that doesn’t mean you should do it. There are lessons to learn in every adventure you take, there are challenges but never problems. You can get over and achieve anything you really want to and yes, it is a question of mind of matter. I guarantee you this for 100%.
This is was exactly the reason why two good friends of mine, Denise Riedstra and Michelle van Stijn started the Fem Divine Foundation. Fem Divine is all about helping women achieve their dreams. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Why would you live any other life? Why not go after what your heart desires and make good money at the same time.

As an entrepreneur financial independence is important to me, I think big, aim high and intend to reach the destination I am heading for and because of this I am well on the way through my pursuit of happiness and wish this for other too. Our foundation provides mentoring and coaching as well as inspirational workshops and session.
We’re teaching and show examples of how women can follow their dream and start their own business, but also how to cope in tough times, what this does to you and how you can still overcome no matter what the odds are. More information can be found at www.femdivine.org or www.femdivine.nl (Dutch).

Guest editor for a week: Moriam

… and don’t ask me what it is I have with timepieces but I just love them. Leaving home without one is like leaving the house without wearing…. – you know what I mean, it’s just not done.
Watches, watches, watches galore – it must be something which I have from my oldest sister as she had several with different colours, sizes and shapes as I remember.
Back then there were watches where you could changes the outside ring to match your outfit – in fact there seems to be revival of this.

These days watches have become bold and daring whilst still incorporating an elegant touch. In all honesty, I know nothing about watches – all the fancy features are literally wasted on me. My watch just needs to tell the time, it needs to be heavy on my wrist and it needs to look good and the brand Breil just does this for me. Yes, I can say I am in love with this brand . Put me in a Breil shop would be like placing a 4 year old in a sweetie shop gazing in wonder and amazement.

My personal collection (which is in dire need of expansion) only has unisex models. I would probably even dare to wear the male collections. In every meeting it’s an opener, business or personal, in fact it’s amazing how many people share a similar kind of watch fetish as I do. Pricewise, it’s very reasonable, not the cheapest but certainly not the most expensive.
You can dress up or dress down with them and they are tough, sophisticated and perfect for the modern lady. I’m currently on the lookout for another Breil this time with a bit of colour. All suggestions welcome!

Guest editor for a week: Moriam

At home I probably have about 20 different handbags. Different colours, sizes, shapes, etc. A family thing, my mother has around 50 and I now realize this addiction has crossed generations right through to my own daughter who at the time of writing this has just turned 12.

It’s actually something to look at with fascination and pride. The only thing is that a bag needs to fit with who you are as a person, the occasion you’re at and also who you want to be. These days we are more and more focused on where we want to be in the future – and thank goodness for this, without direction in life you simply don’t go anywhere, not forward not even backward whilst the rest are racing past you.

Whilst we all know that living in the moment is of the essence, we cannot escape thinking about our lives in the future and as long as we maintain the balance of doing both, living in the present whilst keeping our eyes on the future, all should be in good harmony.
This is an interesting take on things.

It’s a little exercise whereby I am using a personality trait such as ‘ambition’ and matching it to the handbag.
Why? Well it’s fun and secondly it’s good for a bit of self reflection and projection. The character trait you choose should be one you have now but also choose a trait you’d like to develop later and then choose a bag that fits with it. The bag represents your dreams and fears as well by the way!

For example:

So this would be my trait and bags now and in the future.

It’s a fun exercise which everyone can do and great to help you recognize where you are now and where you’d like. Have fun!

Guest editor for a week: Moriam

It really is a pleasure to be asked to write as guest editor for fesjon.com for the month of  November. Excited as I am to tell share with you inspiring words and thoughts, it might be a good idea to introduce myself.  Just call me Moriam.  I was born Moriam Hassan (Balogun) – I use my both grandmothers and grandfathers surname which I am very proud of. I’m the Managing Director of Fem Nederland BV, which runs planetfem.com the largest women’s platform in the Netherlands, co-founder of Deep Skincare and co-founder of Swordfish Media, pretty busy but I just love my work and I’m not afraid to admit it – that simple! I work with passion, dedication and commitment together with a great team who share the same work ethics. On the personal front I’m a mother of 3 fantastic children Jasmin, Otis and Harvey who are a source of daily entertainment, fun and love. I simply can’t complain because life with its challenges still hands me a lot of wonders, true friendship which I have especially been blessed with for many years, excellent health, a loving family and always a feeling of hope and faith. I have a lot to be grateful for so I cherish much in my life.

I’m a woman of vices – yes, I have a weakness for beautiful things. Fashion, gadgets (I’m slightly nerdy too), accessories, gadgets whereby watches and rings are high on my list; jewellery and bags. You may even call me a magpie but being born a woman has just too many advantages, so much is thrown at us, we are tempted and we are lucky to have to have the opportunity to make choices, so again I have nothing to complain about in my life.

As this month progresses I’d like to share with you a couple of my favourite things, the things that inspire me and the things I’d like to give to you for inspiration.

Guest editor for a week: Amanda Fox

I thought I would share with you my favourite part of the Dames & Divas process – Kimono Selection!

Kimono selection is based on condition, colour, size, supply & demand, interest and mystery!

Dames & Divas products’ are handcrafted from vintage silk kimonos; all of which are at least 20 years old. The older the kimono the more likely that some areas may have been damaged over time. Slight markings add to the character and personality of the piece; however severe damage will not translate well to final pieces.

Childrens’ kimonos (in particular girls) are often the most colourful. Gorgeous hues, busy patterns and interesting subjects are the Dames & Divas trademark which are at their best in these fabulous kimonos. However, childrens’ kimonos are also the smallest, which means only 2+ metres of 17-30cm width silk can be obtained per kimono. Every pair of Dames & Divas Wedges uses 1 metre of fabric, so the smaller the kimono the more limited the range.

Adult kimonos tend to be more subdued however Furisodes (traditionally worn by unmarried women) are often bright and beautiful. Adult kimonos produce anywhere from 4-8 metres of silk depending on their size.

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Guest editor for a week: Amanda Fox

There have been many challenges to date in the life of Dames & Divas  – finding reliable manufacturers, maximising production, quality control and the economy (to name a few) but the biggest has been remaining strong and standing by what I believe in.  I once received an order for 100 pairs of vintage silk kimono wedges from America.  Some people ‘get’ what we do and others don’t.  We unstitch vintage silk kimonos and handcraft them into shoes.  If you can imagine a kimono, when it is unstitched a small kimono may give you 2+ metres of fabric which is 30cm in width and a larger kimono may give you up to 8 metres.  To make one pair of vintage silk kimono wedges takes 1m by 30cm of fabric so a small kimono will give you 2 pairs and a large kimono 8 pairs.  Each pair is made by hand and can days to make.  As well as this, no two pairs of shoes are the same and once we use the fabric from one kimono we move on to the next, which means colours, patterns etc will be different.

So an order for 100 pairs should have been an amazing feat, however staying true to our label, we had to explain to the customer the above and that we simply cannot make 100 pairs in one kimono pattern.  I would rather 3 pairs of our shoes be sold into a gorgeous gallery style boutique then 100 pairs into a chain store.  Staying true to the label has been very challenging.

Guest editor for a week: Amanda Fox

It has been the hardest few years of my professional life.

Running a business is difficult and being responsible for designing and developing products as well as selling, book keeping, trademarking and managing cash flow, it sometimes seems easier to give up!
But giving up has never been an option.  I believe in my business and my products.
There are so many mass produced items in the marketplace with no soul and personality, someone needs to create individual, one of a kind handcrafted items and I suppose I have taken that into my own hands.

Guest editor for a week: Amanda Fox

Our first piece of media coverage was in Vogue Australia.  I awoke one morning with a phone call from someone called Damian who I thought said he was from ‘Globe Magazine’.  Thank goodness I mis-heard him because if I had of known it was Vogue I would have stuttered and stammered my way through the interview.

From then, we received lots of exposure and our Wedges sold out.  It was time to grow the brand and to add new products.  I started making jewellery from the kimono remnants.  It was important to maximise the number of shoes we could make per kimono, so once these were made I took the remnants and made them into rings, pendants and hair accessories, making sure every little scrap was used.

I was living in a brand new city (Melbourne) with no connections and had to ‘start from scratch’ in a place filled with talented people and beautiful products.  For the first time in 10 years, I didn’t have a full time job.  It was make or break time.

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Guest editor for a week: Amanda Fox

I always knew I wanted to do something different.  I grew up in Perth, Western Australia where shops were never open on a Sunday, being barefoot was the norm and the outdoors was everything.

Moving through school, I loved English literature, media and art.  That was about it.  I struggled concentrating on anything that required the left side of my brain.  In year 12 I studied TEE art and majored in textiles.  I screen printed, embroided, sewed and embellished my way through the year to escape the realities of final year exams.

Applying for university was a hard choice – to be grown up and study something that would get me a job in the ‘mining state’ or study something I actually enjoyed?

I decided on a Bachelor of Marketing and the Media, a combination of Commerce and Humanities.  I did everything from statistics and accounting through to image literacy, advertising and psychology.

I completed my degree in 3 years and started looking for a job.  I began in mining, went to ESL, FMCG, telco and ended up in textiles.

It took me 10 years to find the courage to start my own label.

Dames & Divas was born from the allure and mystery of Japan combined with an innate love of vintage accessories. Running my own boutique vintage jewellery business for a year while working as a Product Manger in textiles I thought it was time to put my skills and knowledge into something beautiful and different. Vintage kimonos are so inspiring.  Each one tells a story and they are so lovely to work with.

Dames & Divas was born in April 2009.  It came from the need for one of a kind, handcrafted accessories that were colourful, unique and had a story.  The label started with two items – A Wedge and A Bangle Bag.

In 2009 we re-located to Melbourne, the fashion capital of Australia and that’s when it all started.

Amanda Fox is the designer & owner of Dames & Divas and lives in Melbourne with her husband Joshua and dog Archie.

Dames & Divas is a boutique Australian accessory label specialising in creating beautiful limited edition silk accessories.

Veisha by Dames & Divas is a gorgeous collection of womens’ shoes, bags, jewellery & hair accessories handcrafted from vintage silk kimonos from Japan. Kimonos are unstitched & transformed into beautiful pieces of wearable art. No two items are the same & limited numbers can be made per kimono making every piece truly unique & special.

My Boudoir by Dames & Divas is a stunning collection of ladies & gents coordinating accessories handcrafted from Dames & Divas limited edition silk. Designed by Dames & Divas the signature silk takes inspiration from yesteryear & is transformed into a beautiful range of ladies’ shoes, bags, jewellery, scarves & accessories together with gents’ ties, cravats, bow ties & cufflinks.