Dona Daneshi: Luxury Looks Mixed With Mysticism

Dona Daneshi fused mysticism and travels through time to create her debut eponymous collection. Titled “I Am Mystic,” the collection is inspired by romantics, mystics and poetesses of long-forgotten cities. The designer channels her background in art to express her own timeless vision. Born in Iran and raised in Los Angeles, Daneshi attended art school in San Francisco and graduated from design school in Los Angeles. Following academia, she spent time traveling prior to launching the collection.

Designing for Daneshi is more about creating an essence or identity through clothing rather than following the typical trend-based design notions. She fuses mysticism into her clothing to create a Goth-tinged look that has modern appeal. “It’s the mood of the time that really moves me from the 13th century to ’In Mourning’ Victorian [period],” explained Daneshi. “It’s very decadent, but it’s very grounded at the same time,” she added. The collection captures the romantic allure of the era almost as if they were pulled from a treasure chest of an other-worldly time. Luxurious fabrics such as beaded silk brocade, English net, panne velvets and silk/wool pique are chosen for their exquisite textures and color. And brass chains, glass buttons, Carnelian stone and jade evoke a mystical quality. Daneshi said she sees her customer as someone who understands the clothing versus being a particular age.

“I really do create from my heart and from my soul,” Daneshi said. “The collection is called ’I Am Mystic,’ and I think that mysticism applies to everybody—all cultures, all religions, all people. I truly created from my core with this collection,” she explained. The mood of the collection is reflected with style names such as the “Abracadabra Dress,” the “Poetess Coat” and the “Lyric Pant.” The “Abracadabra Dress” is a short dress with a hand-pleated detail on the shoulder and blood-drop crystals embellishments on the sleeves. The red carpet–worthy “Illusion Gown” is made from beaded embroidered English net and lined with a full-length nude slip. The “Time Traveler Dress” doubles as an opera coat in a rich patterned velvet panne with brass buttons, and the enchanting “Ziba” bias-cut gown has draped brass chains finished with blood-drop crystals. Daneshi focused on executing the collection with not only the finest fabrics but couture fits and finishes from the inside out. Silk bias tape is applied to every seam, and garments are lined in silk.

An elaborate piece, the “Enigma Dress,” has an intricately embroidered midriff with a repetitive pattern that creates a corset effect. Bottoms such as the flared “Lyric Pant” are made in glass-beaded silk brocade, and the silk/wool pique “Poetess Coat” features a decorative peplum, brass buttons, chain detail and two diamond-shaped jade stones.

Daneshi declined to state wholesale or retail prices. The collection was recently picked up by Maxfield in Los Angeles.

For more information, contact Daneshi at (310) 455-2475 or sales@donadaneshi.com. —N. Jayne Seward