Dara Senders, the designer behind the eponymously titled, all size inclusive brand that launched in 2018, has always been obsessed with fashion. Diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease when she was ten years old, Senders spent hours burning through sketchbooks and watching the Style Network while the other neighborhood kids were out playing. 

This fashion obsession and her close proximity to NYC drove Senders to apply for internships and volunteering at the 7th on Sixth New York Fashion Week Shows, where the precoscious talent had the chance (and grit) to approach the fashion personalities she watched on tv, notably Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Tally who advised her to ..”never stop being nice! Especially in this industry of miserable souls! You are young enough to soak up these words of advice! I hope to see you around one day soon!” 

Taking his advice to heart, Senders continued in her pursuit to break into the industry and eventually graduated from FIT with a Bachelors of Science in Fashion Merchandising Management with a concentration in Product Development. She interned all over town, volunteering for free gigs to keep her in touch within the industry until she decided she was ready to start her own brand.

 ------DARA SENDERS INTERVIEW------

1.Your brand looks comfortable but yet very stylish. Do you aim for comfort when putting your line together?

I believe that looking polished and sharply dressed while being comfortable in the clothes you wear daily is key. I want women to know that they can feel comfortable while still looking feminine, chic and fabulous from their six o’clock in the morning start until their four o’clock in the morning arrival home from the cocktail party they went to that very night, all dressed in the Dara Senders Label.

2.What do you find most comfortable to wear from your line?

For a cocktail or black-tie party dress, The Marci Dress is the most comfortable item in my collection. It exudes drama and sparkle and it gives your body a very flattering shape without being form fitting. My customers have all told me that they were amazed at how they could wear it all day and evening while feeling as light as a feather and very glamorous. 

3.Paris versus New York City. Which city do you like better? Why?

I truly believe both cities are great! New York is very fast-paced, and everyone is always on the go. You cannot find this energy anywhere else. There is a mixture of old and new with its architecture and nightlife that surpasses no other city. Paris is just a bit slower paced where most people work to live, not live to work and truly enjoy what it means to live their lives fully. It is definitely a romantic city where one can walk around for hours, just getting lost and always discovering something new to make them feel happy and inspired. I am very grateful I get to call both New York and Paris my home! 

4.Your sizes range to fit any shape. Was that something you wanted to strive for when creating your brand?

ABSOLUTELY! 100%, yes! I would never imagine creating a clothing brand that did not have a wide array of sizing. To me, it just does not make sense as to why any clothing company would limit themselves to a small group of sizes. Many brands will say it has to do with fabric consumption, but I will leave it to them to justify that reasoning. They are eliminating an entire group of people by doing so. People who have the potential to be valued and lifelong customers. In addition, it personally makes me feel empowered to see all shapes and sizes being able to wear the same items of clothing and look and feel incredible by doing so. Why should a US size 20 not have the same opportunities of shopping and dressing in well-made, high quality, beautiful clothing as her size 2 counterpart? 

5.What is the last app you downloaded?

The last app I downloaded on my phone is Mapster. Because I travel so often for work, it really helps with locating all of the restaurants, cafes, stores, hotels and markets I’ve been to. 

6.What is your favorite accessory that came out this past year?

I really love the statement shoes, headband and hats that are super embellished with lavish crystal pendants and pearls. For instance, the Begum Rainbow Slingback Pumps from Amina Muaddi and the Dara Senders Bowie Beret.

7.Will you be featured in NYFW 2020? 

Currently, at Dara Senders we are focusing on really working on the internal structure of the label. So, we do not have plans of having a fashion show during NYFW or PFW, but we may however be working on something exciting during this time! Stay tuned my loves! 

DARA SENDERS`S WEBSITE

DARA SENDERS`S INSTAGRAM

INTERVIEW BY ROBERT FREZZA

EDIT BY SHO ISHIKURA