Meet Didi F. | Luxury Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Didi F. and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Didi, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
My business is currently working deeply on our social impact. As I am self taught, getting my start sewing in a 6th grade home-ec class, I realize that that’s just not as easily available to youth today. Being that the arts programs are the collateral when budget cuts happen, my business is taking steps to fill that need. Currently I hold a free sewing class for all youths on the first Saturdays of the month. We do everything! They learn basic sewing and safety skills, critical thinking, pattern making, draping, etc. I want kids to have structure, but also the freedom to do it their own way like I did. Because, I don’t have a strict fashion education, I was able to stumble across all of the non-standard, unconventional, out of the box ways to do things. It gave me more creative ways to learn and express myself. It also make me feel empowered to turn my mistakes into design elements that I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. And, I want to offer THAT to people. That feeling is confidence. That feeling is empowerment. That feeling helps breed talent. And, as I develop this part of my business, I plan to evolve it into a greater mission of creating a building that offers a self sustainable place with built in networking, education, retail, and a full service model that partners with school agencies to give building assistants credit for the work they do there. And, on top of that. Each vendor will be offering classes to the community, so that these talents are never lost. It sounds like a lot, I know. But, I have a plan to lean into my community to lift them up. And, I can’t wait to pull this off.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My business works on reminding people of the power they already hold. I make custom pieces. Basically, the more out of the box the better. If you think it, I can make it. And, I use my time while getting measurements, and fitting to breathe confidence into my clients. Reminding clients of the super hero they are. I want my clients to feel comfortable, daring, and empowered when they wear garment made by me. I give them an experience that makes them the center of it all which lifts them. It makes them feel special, because they deserve it. People deserve to be pampered and celebrated. I want people to leave my experience able to celebrate themselves on a regular basis.

My art is based on rare beauties. The effortless extravagance. The one of a kind, the “with a twist” things that make people feel like they are human art. I ask client to give me a words on how they want to feel, and I use those to guide my design process. I love to take the weird and turn it into something practical and wearable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a total water baby. So, if I host someone in San Diego, we gotta hit the beach. Not one single person would come to San Diego and not see any of the vast beaches. My favorite spot to eat is Tahini, Burros Fries, and one of the many crab boil spots. And, skydiving! Skydiving on the coast is beyond beautiful and so worth it.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could write a book with the amount of people who have contributed building blocks to supporting me. First, I have to credit Tchanavia. She gave me my first start in fashion photography when I first relocated out here. She didn’t micro manage me, she just let me create! And, we made magic together that still gets me paid to this day. Malani is another amazing support. She’s beyond talented, and makes an epic experience every time. The models that believe in me to do projects with them multiple times over. Tanzania, and Selina. They are forever assets to me and have unmatched talent. Fashion design peers and friend Latara, and Elle Dove. These two are Always amazing to rub elbows with. Elle always reminds me to edit, and Latara pushes me when we design together. Jayda, who taught me thorough couture draping class. Her classes are legendary! And, of course my family. My mom and my spouse both be sick of me. lol. Every little detail I agonize over, all the late nights because I professionally procrastinate. They have to be my sounding board, always. And, my best friend Amanda. When my mind gets running with ideas, I always unload on her. She always lifts me. No matter what craziness I’m thinking of making. She’s a huge support. And, I’m so gratefull for all of my people who uplift me and support my shenanigans.

Website: dominiquecreativeinnovations.com

Instagram: instagram.com/dialiciousdesigns

Facebook: facebook.com/dialiciousdesigns

Image Credits
Selina Hall Tanzania Mack Tchanavia Bryant Malani Lovings Latara Hamilton MorganDove photography KC Reid Flossyg AngelfaceMUA Freshstudioweddings willowroseinc Sinziaa Hendo Studios Slimfaces Rachelmariemakeupartistry