How Adaku Parker Created Dovetailed
This founder is on a mission to help us all add more colour and print to our homes and wardrobes with her African wax print fashion and sewing shop
Read more
How Adaku Parker Created Dovetailed
This founder is on a mission to help us all add more colour and print to our homes and wardrobes with her African wax print fashion and sewing shop
By: Maddi John
Adaku Parker’s original career trajectory wasn’t supposed to see her creating beautiful textiles with a small team of skilled seamstresses in the UK. The barrister-turned-designer made the leap into the textiles industry after taking several sewing and tailoring classes whilst on maternity leave. Now running her own business, Dovetailed, Adaku creates sustainable and ethical fabrics, specialising in high-quality, vibrant prints, that fuse African fashion with British design – available to shop in-store on Liberty's third floor. Here she opens up the doors to her studio to show us what goes on behind the scenes...
Read More: Meet the Makers: Dizziak's Brand Founder Loretta De Feo
THE MAKING OF DOVETAILED
How Did you First Get Into African fashion and Sewing?
A chance viewing of the Sewing Bee in 2016 sparked an interest in sewing. Whilst on maternity leave with my second child, I took several evening classes in clothes making, tailoring, African fashion and pattern cutting. At first, I made accessories for myself, friends and family. Then several ten-week sewing workshops later and Dovetailed London was born.
"In my previous life as a barrister, I didn't think that I had a creative bone in my body. However, it turns out that I do.”
You Have One Minute – Describe Your Brand in an Elevator Pitch
We are an African fashion and sewing Brand on a mission to encourage and inspire women to add colour and print to their wardrobes. We believe that fashion should not cost the earth and have adopted an ethical and sustainable model of garment manufacture that means we know exactly who made your clothes and that they are paid fairly for their labour.
On Adaku's Wishlist
Liberty
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2023
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar and Men's Advent Calendar will be delivered within 3 working days
Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar and Men's Advent Calendar will be delivered within 3 working days
Lisa Eldridge Beauty
Luxuriously Lucent Lip Colour 3.5g
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Sunday Riley
Wake Up With Me Set
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Bordallo Pinheiro
Artichoke Fruit Plate
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Liberty
Alphabet Madriana A 45X45 Silk Scarf
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
La Mer
The Concentrate 15ml
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Diptyque
Nymphées et Merveilles Scented Candle Refill 270g
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
Free UK Standard delivery within 5 working days on all orders over £100
When are you at your most creative?
In the mornings or wherever there is water nearby.
What advice would you give someone looking to start their own brand?
Just go for it! It is probably one of the hardest things you will ever do but the rewards are worth the effort.
What does success look like to you?
The perfect balance between home life and work.
What are your three best tips for creativity?
1. Find your passion.
2. Always keep a notebook with you.
3. Creativity is developed by doing.