THE TAPESTRIES OF LIFE AND STYLE

The past, present and exciting future of dog&boy

Things are buzzing at dog&boy. Between the RMIT design project, speaking at Business Chicks “9 to Thrive” in Sydney and Melbourne, and releasing our latest scarves, there hasn’t been a dull moment. I love new experiences and connections, as every one of them shapes the dog&boy journey. The brand is evolving all the time, and so are our designs and the stories behind them. So I thought I'd tell you a little bit more about our design evolution, plus give you a clue about what’s to come. The future looks bright for fashion lovers!

From simple moments to intricate stories

When I launched dog&boy in 2016, my mission was to capture the simple beauty of everyday life, tell stories through thoughtful design, and make women everywhere feel special. That mission hasn’t changed, but the design process has – and so has the finished product.

In the early days, I drew inspiration from personal experiences, like the passing of my Mum, the desire do something different, and my undying obsession for scarves. The first dog&boy designs were based on tiny moments in time. The stories behind them were literal and beautiful, but quite simple compared to today. As my pool of experience has become deeper, dog&boy designs have become richer. The latest scarves are more intricate, both visually and figuratively. The prints speak to more complex themes that can be interpreted in different ways – they are experiences we all have.

One of my greatest joys is receiving feedback from dog&boy devotees who tell me what their favourite design means to them, or how one of our inspirational design quotes has made their day. In some ways, I feel like dog&boy has evolved from ‘my’ brand into ‘our’ brand. Through fashion, we’re sharing stories, building a community, and starting conversations. That is so incredible cool.

The proof is in the pattern

If you compare earlier dog&boy designs to our latest scarves, you can see the evolution. Take Plume, for example. This early design was inspired by my, now not so!, little boy, Nicky, and the treasures he used to bring home from school. Then there’s Imagination, which is based on Nicky’s creative, childlike suggestions to create a design. While these designs are still some of my favourites, the stories behind them are specific and personal.

Now, consider some of the latest scarves, like Perception, Contradiction and Whisper. Perception is about noticing the small miracles all around you, while Contradiction is about subtle shifts and paradoxes. Whisper is my newest obsession, which offers a gentle reminder to listen to your heart and not be ruled by rational thinking. These designs cover broader concepts. They make you consider new ways of thinking. By making the themes more universal, dog&boy designs have become more personal. They give you a creative license to make each story your own – and I love hearing your stories!

In addition to the design concepts, the visual elements have also evolved as dog&boy has grown. The colour palettes are more elaborate, the drawings are more thought provoking, and the materials are more diverse than our original offerings, with the introduction of an Australian merino wool. It’s so rewarding to see the progression – and it excites me for the future!

More magic is brewing

Maya Angelou once said, “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty”. When I look at the evolution of dog&boy, it truly makes my heart sing. From a small cocoon of an idea, we’ve grown into a thriving brand – but we’re not done spreading our wings.

In fact, right now, I’m in the throes of product development and thinking about what to do next. Scarves will always be core for dog&boy, but I’m thinking what next to expand our range. Because who doesn’t want more beauty and style in the lives? Plus, I love exploring the possibilities. I never want to stop evolving!

There are so many twists and turns we could take, but the direction we choose depends on you. Entrepreneur Seth Godin said, “Don’t find customers for your products, find products for your customers”. That’s my plan for dog&boy. I want to deliver what you want – to design fashion you adore. That’s why I’d love to hear your thoughts. Tell me more about what you think and share below.

If dog&boy and could do one more thing…

If you’re dreaming of more dog&boy in your life, I’d love to know what that looks like. What would you most like to see? How else could dog&boy bring joy to your day? I’d be thrilled to hear how you interpret the brand and what you’d like to see us do next. Your feedback is so important. Don’t be shy!

 Sonya xx

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