The Origins of La Dolce Vita

Today, I will take you on the journey of my life as a designer.

Somewhere in the early 90s, right after I had finished my A levels, I went on a trip to London (Travel seems to define the pivotal moments in my life). In Ghana, at the time, it was difficult to find current issues of Vogue. I spent all my pocket money on old issues, they were my TREASURES! I read them cover to cover, taking in every story, every feature, every ad!

My very first purchase when I arrived at Heathrow was the current issue. I honestly don’t remember the exact year and month.

Two things jumped out at me and became the building blocks for my future.

1. An article about Gianni Versace’s latest collection....ONE dress in particular, worn by Christy Turlington.

It was a long black dress with long sleeves and a turtle neck. Covered from head to toe, almost with the modesty of a nun, apart from the fact that it skimmed over her body ever so slightly, revealing every curve.

Then.

She turns around!

The ENTIRE back is open!!! Held together inches below her waist, on the slide, by a sliver of a thread.

Even as I write these words, I still remember how I felt!!!

Bold sophistication and sexiness in a way that only Gianni could.

I was entranced.

I knew this had to be my future!

2. The beginning of the launch for Christian Dior’s “Dolce Vita”. It was my first time coming across the Italian term for “The Sweet Life...The Good Life”. I hadn’t even come across Federico Fellini’s production with Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni yet! But right there, in that very moment, I knew I had to have this Sweet Life!!!! And so 4-5 years before my business was born (because I still had to go to university), I knew I was going to name it “La Dolce Vita”, and I was going to do everything in my power to make the lives of my clients and customers SWEET!

Which I did.

To the very best of my ability.