THE JOURNAL
Meet the designer, Dominique Healy
Some designers start with a business plan (possibly the smarter move, but never mind, haha)—my journey began with fabric.
"I’ve always been obsessed with fabric—how it falls, feels on the body, and fits into everyday life. That’s where every piece in my collection begins."
From a young age, I was drawn to the art of making, spending hours sewing with my aunt, a skilled seamstress who nurtured my love of craftsmanship, I am forever grateful for the time she gave me. After studying Fashion Design at AUT, I spent a decade working in textiles between Aotearoa and Australia, deepening my understanding of fabrics and what makes a garment truly wearable.
In 2017, I launched my label in Melbourne—a city that truly nurtures small creative businesses. That same year, I opened a retail space, Before March, with my friends Melissa and Sarah. Having that support gave us the courage to take the leap, and it allowed me to connect directly with customers—something I’ve valued ever since. Before March is now beautifully reimagined by Melissa, and I’m grateful to still have my pieces there. Melbourne played a huge role in shaping my journey, and I hope to have a little more of a presence in the city again someday.
From the very beginning, I knew I wanted to create timeless, trans-seasonal pieces that you could reach for again and again. I don’t believe in chasing trends or reinventing things for the sake of it—my most-loved pieces are often refinements of earlier designs, subtle evolutions that make them even better over time.
Now based back in Aotearoa, New Zealand, I design from my studio above our retail space in Grey Lynn, where we make some pieces in-house and work closely with a local factory to bring each collection to life. We also still have a maker in Melbourne—Zoe—who has been part of the brand since my studio days there.
As the business continues to evolve, my focus remains the same: quality, longevity, and connection. More than anything, I want to create pieces that feel good to wear—pieces that fit seamlessly into your life and only get better with time.
