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Sydney based designer Dana Mawlai at 28 heads the designs for men’s and women’s fashion label Leon Henry.

Mawlai began her career in the fashion industry working at Morrissey in retail sales; she then progressed onto head office to assist with fashion week and celebrity dressing for the label.

Now as the head designer for Leon Henry, Dana produces fashion focused premium quality clothing for both men and women. We asked Dana Mawlai all about life as a fashion designer:

(images from the Leon Henry 2009 collection)

B&L: What is it like being the head designer for Leon Henry?

Dana: Extremely busy! I do both design and production, so there is no down time – but I enjoy working under pressure so it works for me.

B&L: How would you describe the Leon Henry range of fashion?

Dana: Leon Henry combines wearability, great detailing with fashion content to give the wearer an un-contrived but edgy look.

B&L: Where do you get your inspiration?

Dana: Everywhere! When travelling, I like to people watch – each place has its own look/ translation of trends/ anti fashion sentiment. I like the idea of fusing different cultural aesthetics to create something that is modern and fresh.

B&L: How did you get started in the fashion industry?

Dana: Somewhat by accident….from a very young age, I have always loved fashion but I never thought of making it a career. I worked in retail whilst I was doing a law degree, in the end my love for fashion took over and I deferred my degree to study visual merchandising and then eventually fashion at RMIT.

B&L: What are the must have summer pieces for 2008/09

Dana: Easy, floaty dresses that can take you from the beach to a café/ bar when the heat gets too intense.

B&L: How important is quality for your designs?

Dana: Quality is everything to me; there is nothing more frustrating than buying a piece you love and for it to fall apart shortly thereafter. But quality isn’t just about good workmanship, it is also about beautiful fabrics and styling that withstands the test of trend fickle time.

B&L: What item of clothing should every woman have in her wardrobe?

Dana: A great black dress….I don’t know any woman that doesn’t own at least one! Other than that, killer heels to punctuate an outfit!

B&L: What's next for Leon Henry?

Dana: The men’s line is expanding, we will be offering pants and shorts that are in the same vein as our shirts – great fitting, interesting detailing in supple European fabrics.

B&L: What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Dana: Carson Kresley (from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy) talking about my range on prime time television when he was in Australia earlier this year.

B&L: Any advice for young women who dream of being a fashion designer?

Dana: The glamour of fashion lasts fifteen minutes on a catwalk. The rest is a hard slog but if you love it, it is incredibly satisfying. Persevere.

B&L: Where can we buy the Leon Henry range?

Dana: From premium fashion boutiques around Australia – Capital L (Sydney), Husk (Melbourne) and Toy (Gold Coast).

B&L: What does being a woman mean to you?

Dana: It means being strong and delicate, simple and complicated, being confused and knowing exactly what I want…It also means that when all else fails, a bit of charm and the batting of eyelashes might get you across the line.