Dacy Luneburg knows fashion. The model/designer/artist creates face coverings, clothing and art and is the founder of Dacy Darlette and co-founder of Gyidah.
Dacy spent her early years in both Burundi in east Africa and Niger in west Africa. She landed in Colorado during her teen years and studied at Boulder High. While earning a degree in fashion design at the Art Institute of Colorado, she showcased her collection inspired by the goddess Oshun, which landed on Mile High Living TV. Dacy’s eclectic background has profoundly influenced her creativity and ensured the production of unique and exciting pieces with the flavor of Africa.
What brought you into fashion?
Fashion has always been a passion of mine. Growing up, being a fashion designer was not considered a career worth pursuing—no parent wanted to invest in their child's education in anything art-related. It took time and the right opportunity for me to realize it. Art led me into fashion: I took a few art classes in high school and it was my teacher that noticed the attention to clothing details, so she connected me to a fashion club. The more I learned, the more I was hooked. It was also the fashion club that led me to participate in a recycled runway, which gave me a scholarship to the Art Institute of Colorado where I then got a BA in fashion design. During my years in college, I started modeling and it opened so many doors for me. Not only was I introduced to the modeling industry, but I was connected to designers, photographers, makeup artists and so many others.
What would you say influenced you?
A few things influenced me; it's really hard to pick one.
- The women in my family had a huge influence on me, like my aunt and my grandmother. My aunt introduced me to modeling at a young age because she was traveling as one of the top Burundian models and competing with other African models. I remember watching her on TV and thinking I wanted to be part of whatever that job was.
- My grandma loved to look good. You couldn't go shopping and come back without bringing her something. She also loved jewelry and pearls.
- I was also very specific with the way my clothes fit, especially in my early teenage years. I would cut them and adjust them anyhow to get them to look how I wanted them to be.
- Traveling and seeing different cultures and how that translates into their clothing influenced me immensely. Traveling to west Africa widened my style. I will never have enough of drapes of the bazin, headwraps and colorful prints.
Can you tell us about your curated, repurposed, sustainable clothing brand Gyidah that you co-own with Reanne Alise?
Gyidah came about when I started working with an old school friend of mine, Reanne. I saw her work as a stylist and immediately knew I wanted to work with her. I had a suit photoshoot that I wanted her to style and it came out beautifully. We both come from a fashion design background, but our styles are different yet blend very well. We decided to create a line that showcases both our work, a line that is exclusive and sustainable.
How is this line different from your Dacy Darlette line?
Dacy Darlette stems from an African background. It is a line that combines art and fashion with a taste of African royalty.
Instagram @dacydarlette
DacyDarlette.com
Instagram @gyidahofficial
Gyidah.MyShopify.com
