In Conversation with Fashion Designer Daniel Jacob

“For as long as I can remember, fashion has influenced my life and the choices I have made,” Daniel Jacob, a Polish fashion designer, once said. Born in 1983, Daniel discovered his love for fashion when he was a child. When he grew up, he initially used his creativity when he took on a course in leather design; after a while, he decided to pursue his passion outside of Poland and left for the most fashionable city in the world: Paris, where he slowly but surely learnt how to design with fabrics in mind rather than just a pattern. He later left for Madrid and the UK. In 2009 he – overnight – decided to move to Ibiza, where he currently lives and where his personal fashion brand was born: Daniel Jacob Dali. Thanks to his selected colour palette, prints, impeccable sewing abilities and creativity, Daniel managed to interest Paris Hilton in his designs. He also spent some time in New York City, where he was asked to design a jacket for the late Joan Rivers, well known for her Fashion Police program; she later invited the fashion designer to Los Angeles to participate in the show. His fashion was twice advertised in Vogue and, at present, he writes for a few Polish magazines where he ‘chats’ about celebrity fashion and lifestyle in general.

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Let’s start from the beginning, what or who inspired you to become a fashion designer?

I don’t think there was any factor such as inspiration or anything else that made me become a fashion designer. I think I was born this way; I was always into fashion. Since an early age, I was showing interest in drawing dresses or making them for my dolls and other toys.

Your style is simple yet a la mode, where do you get you design ideas from? Are you in favour of simplicity?

I love simple designs, but the very elegant and sexy kind. I always think less is more. You can put on a simple black dress and look absolutely fabulous.

What sort of fabrics/ materials do you normally use for your designs?

I travel all around the world to get my fabrics. I always go to unusual places to look for the best materials; I like to work on cotton or cotton with stretch.

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What skills are important for a successful career in fashion design?

Just to be yourself and follow your own instinct.

In the world of fashion, there are three general areas which are divided into three groups: street fashion (mass-manufactured high fashion); ready-to-wear (small collections); and haute couture, where unique catwalk garments are created mostly without practical considerations. In which of the general areas of design do you belong to?

I would say in between street fashion and ready-to-wear.

How do you balance creativity with commerce?

Because I travel a lot, it’s relatively easy for me to be creative and, sometimes, inspired by various people in different places, and commerce is just in me; I guess I am good at that too. When I was very young, I was painting and selling my art to family and friends, I know exactly what good commerce should be about.

Do you have a specific research process when you start a new collection?

I love to listen to good music and think about all the places I have recently visited; I can picture the best moments and put them together in one piece as my new collection.

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What do you think about work ethics and what kind of ethics you believe in following while working in fashion?

You have to be very focused in what you do and always follow step by step what you said you are going to do.

Now, spill the beans about your connections with Paris Hilton. She has been enjoying wearing some of your designs. How did that happen?

I have loved Paris Hilton for so many years; I was lucky enough to meet her for the first time in Ibiza, I think it was 5 years ago. Since then we have been meeting occasionally all around the world. She is the most positive and energetic person I have ever met in my life.
I feel so proud that Paris has, in her closet, a few of my designs and recently we could see her wearing one of my dresses during her holidays in Maldives.

Why have you decided to leave your native Poland and move to Ibiza; what prompted you to make such a decision?

Before Ibiza, I was living in Madrid, Paris and England. I always wanted to travel just to be among people, people who represent different cultures and customs. So when I was old enough, I moved away from my native Poland. Ibiza came to my head one night, and next morning I had a plane ticket in my hand. I just love being unpredictable and spontaneous.

Do you think you ought to have a formal education, e.g. a diploma from a fashion school, to design clothes?

No, if you have it in your blood you just have it. No school will help you to be creative.

Any new projects in the pipeline?

Yes, I want to present my collection in NYC and have Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky Hilton in the front row as special guests.

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