SAN FRANCISCO, CA
December 4, 2012 - Local fashion designer Dierdre Wallace has much to be happy
about this holiday season. Not only has her young shoe label, deeFind Shoes,
performed strongly in its debut freshman season, but Wallace’s bold designs
have received attention from national designers like Stevie Boi, who having
learned of Wallace through celebrity stylist Joe Exclusive out of Los Angeles,
invited Wallace to New York Fashion Week where his models adorned the
statement-making heels in his show “54.”
Most recently,
deeFind won the San Francisco RAW Awards for Best Accessories Fashion Designer
of The Year. She was in the company of other notable artists and designers,
including Antonette Streeter for Photography, Eleonore Santos for Fashion
Design, and Ashley Bell for Visual Arts. Wallace states she was humbled to win
it, acknowledging the wealth of accessories design talent in the San Francisco
Bay Area. She attributes the win to dedication and hard work. “When you put your heart, sweat and tears into your
passion, receiving an award like this is extremely inspiring,” says Wallace. “It
keeps you focused on what you’re trying to achieve and fuels your desire,
continuing your hunger to work even harder to make your dreams your reality.”
And
Wallace’s dreams have made it all the way to the Reality Television airwaves.
deeFind has been featured on VH-1’s Basketball Wives of Los Angeles, worn by
Gloria Govan and Brooke Bailey. Wallace was thrilled to see her shoes adorned
by the opinionated and fashion forward ladies. As to how she felt when friends
called her to congratulate, she merely states “I was in total disbelief.” Yet despite
her recent success, the young designer remains humble. “I felt such an extreme
gratitude to have been gifted with these opportunities,” says Wallace regarding
these accomplishments.
Wallace shows no
signs of slowing down. Despite the positive attention, she strives to hold true
to her brand’s meaning: “empowering and encouraging
women to define themselves by stepping into their identity.” Wallace feels that
it is important that “women be empowered by a ferocious thirst, and never hold
back.” This ethos is embodied in the sophomore season of the brand debuting in
2013. Forward samples freshly unboxed from the small Portugal manufacturer evidence
new takes on her already successful designs. “It shows my growth and
potential,” says Wallace as she holds one of the new designs for our inspection
( though we had to promise to be tight lipped until the debut ). “As an artist
you are always growing and refining your skills, reflecting on what works, and
what doesn't.”
