Double Scotch Fridays Five Fun Facts (Ffffs)
Double Scotch is our in-store design studio, born from Donna’s passion for slow fashion & design. A love for creating pieces that have a story, creating memories for people to enjoy and celebrate and feel-good owning. The designs are organic, depends on the find, the colours/fabric and textures. Trying not to be influenced by short lived current trends but to create pieces that can be worn over and over again.
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Have you ever had that feeling of total euphoria? Like when Mr Big gives Carrie Bradshaw the ultimate closet? That was my first ever memory, seriously, Father Christmas gave me a Sindy Doll (‘the girl next door’ version of today’s glamorous Barbie) along with a little case that opened into a carry wardrobe. The most heavenly clothes, shoes, handbags with little coat hangers, I don’t think any other present has been able to top it! At the age of 3 my passion for fashion had begun.
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In school I was torn between Art and Fashion and spent all my time between the two departments, finally when I reached my early 40s, I completed my Bachelor of Design. I hadn’t found my niche; I was unsure of the fashion industry (my insight to sweat shops, mass produced fast fashion was horrific) so I just continued to make my own clothes and follow the slow fashion revolution. Back in 2019, I was asked to join the design team for Tarnished Frocks and Divas and my passion was relit, upcycling, re-using, re-designing, creating something new from old made me so happy.
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So now at the age of 50, finally, I know what I want to be when I grow up!
This time last year, I had a wee stall at the Ohope Markets, selling my recycled, upcycled jewellery and then Colin and I created The Good Tonic, a Design Studio & Lifestyle Store. We are conscious retailers with a great sense of responsibility and pride to change what it means to be in business. Our goal is to create, collaborate and curate quality, sustainable and ethically sourced unique products and artisan produce. We wish to work with like-minded companies that have the same values, companies that inspire and will have a positive impact in the community. An outlet for me to be creative and do more of what makes me happy.
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Recently I entered the Envirohub Sustainable Wearable Art Challenge in Tauranga. This was a National competition to ‘make art not waste’. Everyone is given a bag of bits (that would have found its way into the landfill if not recreated into something else) that had to be used to create a unique garment. This was an exciting challenge, and you could add anything you already owned or recycled. Nothing new could be purchased. I loved creating the winning garment ‘Hunter Gatherer’ and it was so inspiring working with other creatives, it keeps your imagination alive!
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Latest work! Currently I have been working on organic cotton tee-shirt/dress designs that have an ancient Viking influence that represents love, health and courage. The jewellery is bold and courageous, statement jewellery with contemporary designs inspired by nature, culture and heritage.
My next little project is just about to get underway… watch this space for updates!
Better to live a life of ‘oh well’s than ‘what if’s, do more of what makes you happy 😊