DAVID DIXON

Spencer Feature Interview DAVID DIXON

Catching up with the Canadian Fashion Designer in his studio!

By Joseph Edward Schur

David Dixon probably won't admit to being one of Canada's most important fashion designers, but he certainly is.

Dixon has made a mark on the international fashion scene with his feminine, romantic style, using the finest fabrics in the world. No wonder he has earned a following with celebrities, including Jeanne Beker, Suzanne Rogers, Nelly Furtado, Meagan Follows, Catherine O'Hara, Jann Arden, Sarah Polley, Meg Ryan, Nicole Kidman, Katie Holmes, Alanis Morissette, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kristin Booth, Coco Rocha, just to name a few!

It was a pleasure to meet with David in his studio for the photo shoot, and later with his brother Glenn at Gotstyle in Toronto's Distillery District.

Joseph Edward Schur: David, how would you describe your introduction to fashion?

David Dixon: My introduction to fashion was through televison, specifically "Loveboat." On this episode they had designers acting as themselves for a fashion show on the high seas. Gloria Vanderbilt, Geoffrey Beene, Halston, and Bob Mackie were the designers and they put a name to a career I didn't knew existed. Finally my drawings made sense. Yes, my first attempt at sewing was a bean frog and a pair of track pants. My first actual design was a mermaid style black strapless lace dress for our school fashion show.

And in your last year of high school, you apprenticed with the iconic Canadian designer, Alfred Sung. What an incredible opportunity for you! What did you learn from this valuable experience?

I understand that your first fashion show was when you were still in high school... something about introducing

My time at Alfred Sung was amazing. It really secured that this is what I wanted to do. I learned so many skills from cutting, pattern making, fitting, quality control and collection development.

Shortly after, you attended Ryerson University and upon graduation, you joined the Toronto Fashion Incubator.

After graduation, I had worked for another Canadian Designer and what was to be a paying job, did not turn out to be as all the cheques bounced! So I decided if I was going to work for free, I would do it for myself. I applied the TFI in 1995-2000, where I began wholesaling my collection.

And then you established your own signature label, out of TFI. At the best of times, it's challenging to start a new business, so what was the catalyst for you taking the risk?

For me the catalyst was the lack of jobs within the industry at the time. My parents and family were very supportive of me developing a business and branding.

That same year, in 1995 you were named City of Toronto's "New Designer of the Year." This amazing achievement must have been a great encouragement for you as a fashion designer.

Yes, being recognized so early on gave me the encouragement to keep going.

Your signature style can be found around the world, from the United States to Tokyo, from Switzerland to Kuwait. International acclaim from a kid born in Toronto. Other than your creative vision, what do you attribute your success to?

My achievements are not just my own, they are shared with the people I share my life with, work with and a little bit of luck!

You're currently teaching in college, sharing your knowledge with aspiring designers. That suggests an undeniable spirit of generosity. But you're known to be rather shy, reserved even, and yet, you're now a teacher?! What changed?

I started teaching very early on as a way of getting out of my comfort zone, to speak with confidence and share my journey.

I've visited you at your fabulous studio. It's exciting to see how your eyes light up when you are looking at a sheet of fabric stretched out on your work table. Scissors in hand. What are you thinking in that moment, before making the cut? Creating something that's voluminous? Streamlined? Something glamorous?

Fabric for me is like pages in a book, the fabric has a voice and I am listening to it, observing it and working with it to create a piece that will relate to others.

What's next for you, David? I mean, it's 2022 and following so many successful runway shows, introducing your collections to the world... you must have something up your sleeve!

2022 is shaping up to be an exciting year, especially after 2 years of pivoting and restructure due to COVID. As a designer we always have something up our sleeves, as we design them as well.

Photo Credits: Jonathan Levy