designer outlet
it’s true blu Keen to unleash your inner rock star? Young local designers Matthew Stagg and Nathan Meade have the kit to make you Vincent Chase cool. Dakota Blu is the brainchild and creation of young budding designers Matthew Stagg and Nathan Meade. The boys have always shared a passion for fashion, fuelling them to develop and launch their own label. Dakota Blu hit the scene in late 2010. It was Matt and Nathan’s goal to produce a high-end product at an affordable price that would appeal to a broad cross section of increasingly fashion savvy young people.
Photographer: Anthony Webster
The name Dakota Blu was inspired by one of the boys’ favourite local stores in Chapel Street, Melbourne called Dakota 501. The Blu was something borrowed from a very cool restaurant and bar found on the northern beaches of Sydney called Stella Blu. The Dakota Blu aesthetic is cutting-edge, contemporary. “It’s a label designed for people who love music, design, pop culture and above all love having a radical time,“ Matt says. “With this in mind our designs are based around the use of simplified and bold imagery and various uses of typography.” “Our fashion styles are influenced and revolved around music (rock stars) and different forms of design elements,” Nathan explains. “Our fashion style heroes include the character Vincent Chase played by Adrian Grenier in Entourage. You could say we are trying to bring out the rock star in everyone, while keeping in mind the laid back Australian lifestyle.” The look may may be edgy and thrown effortlessly together, but it’s achieved with great care. “We pride ourselves on the feel and look of
our clothing, dealing one on one with our manufacturers to ensure everything is made specifically the way we want.,” Matt says. “We oversee everything from the pattern making, right down to the various types of wash techniques we use to display an edgy, pre-loved style garment.” Being such a young label, Nathan and Matt get a buzz when they see anyone in one of their tees. “We get great pleasure out of seeing any one from well known public faces right down to your average Joe wearing our range of clothing,” Nathan adds. “Basically Dakota Blu sets out to make people feel comfortable in kit that’s cool to wear, be it with a pair of jeans and thongs or a tee your girlfriend can wear to bed. We love to see people in our clothing, proudly supporting our label, and joining with us to watch the brand evolve,” Matt adds. The boys are presently in talks with a number of clothing retailers to expand their stockists list while producing their second collection to follow their well-received debut with Say I Do. Their motto “dreaming is believing” is more than just wishful thinking when it comes to the future of Dakota Blu. They really do believe in the dream. “We’d hope to see Dakota Blu develop as an established fashion label stocked in stores Australia wide and also make a mark on the international circuit,” Nathan says. For more information visit www.dakotablu.com.au Q 157