Yoni ontmoet: Danya Weevers
We can’t wait to share a dress – made of tampons – & the woman behind with you. Laura and Zaza went to the opening show of the Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week a while back . This edition was all about ‘Talking Trash’. Here we saw a dress made of tampons, among other things. YAY! So we spoke with the designer of this gem, Danya Weevers, about transparency, life in the East of the country and her background as a model. And of course the Yoni dilemmas couldn’t be left behind.
Photos: Agne Kuceviciute and Baldwin Henderson
The girl behind
At twenty-three years young, Danya Weevers is already working hard as a fashion designer. The Hengelo native was, by her own admission, not the easiest at school.
”I was stubborn, caused trouble and often went beyond the rules. Qualities that later benefited me, because I quickly developed my own style.”
‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way,’ is Danya’s motto. From that perspective, she decided to develop herself by taking courses: among other things in vegetable dyeing, accounting and entrepreneurship. This paid off, because in this way she was able to write her own business plan.
Her own company is now solid as a house, and she is located in Hengelo. A very conscious choice, in the East of the Netherlands she finds sobriety and peace. Besides the fact that it is a kind of statement against the fashion world, this choice also has a practical reason. By establishing her company in Hengelo, she can keep the production of her designs local.
Designs
Danya would describe her designs as graphic and timeless. She also finds it very important to convey a message with her work. In her various collections she has already addressed the necessary subjects such as the vulnerability of man and the strength of women. We like.
”My FW 16/17 collection was about the power of women. We women are more sensitive than men, which is why we are quickly characterized as unstable. But being sensitive does not mean we are unstable, it actually makes us stronger.”
Sustainability and transparency are central to Danya Weevers. The beautiful pieces she makes are designed by herself and are produced in Enschede. She uses sustainable fabrics, looks for sustainable wholesalers and also looks at the way the fabrics are dyed and whether they have a color mark.
According to Danya, the demand for sustainability is increasing, but trust is decreasing. That is why every piece of clothing in her latest collection contains a QR code. When scanned, you can see from A to Z how the product is made.
The tampon dress
Commissioned by the Dutch Sustainable Fashion Week, Danya Weevers, in collaboration with Annemieke Koster, designed a dress with fabric made from rejected tampons.
The dress – photo: Danya Weevers
Tampons are interesting for Weevers to work with. Not only because they are a beautiful product – we agree – but also because tampons are a unique waste material. The strings and the material of tampons undergo a strict inspection, something that many people are not aware of. In addition to the use of tampons, the design also consists of dried flowers and an old wedding dress.
This choice of material highlights a lot of clichés surrounding women. With this she wants to address the topic of prejudices in particular: ‘we must first look at who you are dealing with before we pass judgement.’
Model life
This power woman is a jack of all trades. In addition to being a designer, she is also a model herself, although that is currently on a lower burner. Her experience as a model is now coming in handy.
”Being a model is sometimes shit. You don’t get much thought and you hardly have any breaks. From my own experience I can empathize better and that’s why I make sure my models have good conditions.”
Danya’s key to success
- Listen to others. Sometimes you just need a kick in the ass.
- Stick to your own principles.
- Life is a matter of give and take.
- Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Go for it
Last but not least: Yoni dilemmas
Pubic hair or armpit hair? Pubic hair
18 children or no children? 18 children
Feminism or veganism? Feminism
Man or Woman? Man
Fashion or timeless? Timeless
Mobile or letter? Letter
Organic or cheap? Organic
Never wear make-up again, or wear make-up every day? Never wear make-up again
Amy Winehouse or Michael Jackson? Amy Winehouse
Vintage or modern? Modern
Make or buy? Make
Book or documentary? Documentary
Ambition or Wisdom? Ambition
Naked in the snow or wrapped up in the sun? Naked in the snow
Buttocks or breasts? Buttocks
Cake or Taboos? Taboos
Bend or break? Bend
Give or Take? Give
Sanitary towels or tampons? Tampons
Burning question or idea?
Do you have a cool tampon or other kind of idea? Or do you have many more pressing questions for Danya? Send me, Laura, an email: laura@yoni.care <3
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