Meet Dalia MacPhee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalia MacPhee.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have always been a creative problem solver. As a little girl, I remember watching tv ads for the Monopoly game, and since we didn’t have one, I created one from scratch right down to the stylish dice. When I was 11, I was concerned about global warming, so I created a mini cherry red car protype that converted C02 to oxygen. Creation and innovation have always been in my blood.

Flash forward to university, and as I was studying pre law, I had this defining moment where I realized if I continued in the direction I was going professionally, I would be killing a part of my soul. So, I took a leap of faith. I’ve always had a great love affair with fashion. I created a small collection of evening dresses, used some airline miles and exhibited at a tradeshow in the Southeast. One year later my brand could be found in a few thousand stores and most major department stores. Not bad for someone who was advised by her high school home economics teacher to NEVER pursue a career in fashion.

I’ve been blessed to have dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and now with technology moving so quickly, to also implement some of my dreams merging fashion and tech. This includes manufacturing the world’s first light up premium denim jeans, creating a smartphone controlled dress for Google, and my newest creation, the Equisafe Blanket, a fully fire retardant horse blanket with built-in GPS.

Please tell us about your art.
My Brand (DALIA MACPHEE) consists of evening gowns, cocktail dresses, day dresses, blouses, and bags. 99% of the line is Vegan, and available in plus sizes, (many up to sz 24W.) As I am an equestrian, I’m also releasing an innovative collection this year for both riders and horses, integrating design, technology, and performance. My favorite medium is still the gown. There is something quite magical that happens when a woman puts on a beautiful evening dress that she loves. A transformation occurs.

This to me is the purpose of fashion: to bring the light out. The message is: we are all beautiful. The motto is: changing the world one garment at a time. My dream is and always has been that anytime a woman purchases one of my pieces, someone or something less fortunate somewhere else in the world is being helped. I’ve facilitated this through various projects, from a tree planting campaign related to the sale of garments to a runway show for world peace and an underwater fashion campaign with trafficking and domestic abuse survivors.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
With big box retailers and mass market competitive pricing dominating the market, independent artists are battling for their lives right now. They are fighting to be seen, appreciated, and heard, and if we are not careful, there will be little to no unique art in the next 20 years. We’re already seeing this in the death of independent clothing boutiques and indie collections being pushed out by massive corporations.

We have to all remember that one of the things humans have craved since the beginning of time is inspiration. This has always been the gift of the independent artist. Any artists reading this right now: know how valuable you are! Keep fighting. Keep pushing. Create what you love, so when you are exhausted, the drive will still be present. Use your resources. We need you. The planet needs you. Now more than ever.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daliamacphee.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/daliamacphee
• Facebook: facebook.com/officialdaliamacphee
• Twitter: twitter.com/daliamacphee

Image Credit:
Dalia MacPhee

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