Dawn has been a huge supporter of all our charity events in the last year. I fell completely in LOVE with this fabulous Show Girl, Mother and Business Woman. We ask what makes Dawn tick and what tricks of the trade can she share…..
1) How important is your hair to you?
Well my hair seems to have a fan club all of it’s own! The origin of my look began when I was getting ready for the Goodwood Revival back in 2011. Bearing in mind I still had a ‘normal’ day job and dressing up was saved for special occasions, so I would spend ages perfecting my vintage look and it was usually luck if it looked ok. So on that day in 2011, I wanted BIG pin up look. Not 40’s especially, but just a ‘Gil Elvgren’ style to die for! Looking back, it was a strange combination of big rolls created by backcombing, hairspray and plenty of bobby pins and of course my signature giant flower accessories! It was much longer then so I used a curling iron to lift the length at the back – which of course dropped out during the torrential rain but I took my trusty gas curler with me in my handbag! Still carry it everywhere with me to this day! Winning the ‘Best Dressed’ title that day was incredible and of course launched my career into vintage entertainment.
I found that everywhere I went, I would be asked the same question ‘How long does it take to do your hair?’ so I decided to put a little blog on my website to show how I create my look and what I use. To date, it’s had nearly 9,000 views and it’s of course wonderful way to drive traffic to my website. I must add that having this retro/vintage updo everyday, comes at a cost and I’m not just talking financial cost – spray, dry shampoo, bobby pins etc – but the cost to the health of my hair! I need to give it ‘days off’ and treat it to hair masks and a plain old ponytail! Oh and i’ve since cut the back much shorter so it reduces the time it takes to curl before gigs.
2) You always have fabulous vintage hair for your shows, what are your top tips?
My top tips would be;
• Never wash your hair on the day of styling! Clean hair is my enemy as it makes it fly away and weightless! Useless for backcombing and doing as it’s told!
• Dry Shampoo is a must. It’s great for ‘gritting’ my hair prior to backcombing
• Good quality hairspray! A nice fine mist but with a strong hold! • Big hair accessories! Covers a multitude of styling sins.
3) What makes a perfect salon experience for you?
I will admit that I get easily bored and having my hair cut/coloured is not something I relish making time for, so it’s a combination of a really speedy worker and great conversation. Oh and if there’s a head massage involved then I’ll always make time for that!
4) We always cross paths at community and charity events, why is is this important to you?
The Creations team have become part of my social calendar! I am a firm believer in a balance between business (making money) and charity/social (giving what you can). So as part of my job is marketing myself as a product and brand, if that can help by being involved with worthy organisations then I will make the time. I do get approached by a lot of event organisers looking for ‘free’ acts/performers/hosts and I could spend my whole time doing this if I agreed to all the enquiries, however, I take a very careful look at my diary and will do what I can. At the end of the day, I am running a business and need to pay bills, but good organisers will appreciate this and there’s always a way we can work together.
5) you always look fabulous, where do you source your clothing from?
I have been collecting retro and vintage clothing for as long as I can remember having my own bank account so I have a large collection! Having lived in Brighton for 15 years, I always experimented with looks and modern/vintage combinations. However, now it’s my full time job to look this way, I can shop without guilt and offset the tax! Hurrah! I used to love digging through charity shop rails but of course nowadays, they are very savvy to the value (and quite right!) so I save my pennies for St Wilfrid’s annual ‘Retail Shopping Day’ where they save all the good stuff and hold it in Chichester just before Goodwood Revival! I also provide entertainment for the day so it’s a double win situation! I love going to vintage fairs to meet the clothing retailers and I very rarely buy from Ebay. I love checking out the vintage shops in Norwich when I visit my mum and a favourite is called Prim.
6) The independent businesses and shops in Chichester have a very unique relationship.
Why do you have such strong relationships with local business? I am the local ‘Woman in Business’ columnist and also run a Chichester networking group, so it’s very important that I keep my ear to the ground and know what’s going on in the independent sector. I am a huge supporter of small business and as networking is the key, I like to encourage a buzz in the city to get people talking, sharing and of course doing business with each other! Money does indeed make the world go around but there’s also a lot to be said for friendship and support.
7) what has been the highlights of the last 12 months in Dawns crazy world?
There have been SO many! Firstly, winning the ‘Business personality’ award at the Observer & Gazette 2013 Awards was incredible. An odd title to have but my mum was very proud and that’s what counts! Working with Emma Shepherd at Creations on a fundraising event for Coco’s Foundation was fantastic, not only because we raised so much money, but because it gave me the opportunity to launch my Burlesque Cabaret shows locally. I have since held another Chichester show and launched the shows in Worthing to great acclaim! Also, taking a group of my Burlesque students to showcase at Earls Court during one of my appearances was an incredible experience for all. Oh and meeting One Direction… can I say that?
8) finally, you’re stranded on a desert island and you can take 3 things with you…. What would you choose and what would you be happy to leave at home?
My Daughter Amy – she makes me laugh and is great conversation
Clarins Multi Active Day Cream!
Iphone with unlimited battery and perfect WiFi (I know that doesn’t exist but I’m choosing it anyway!)
Keep upto date with all of Dawns events here
Love her on facebook here
