We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Royal Dissension . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Royal below.
Royal , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
Royal Dissension was an idea that came out of love for art and necessity. I was having trouble finding a suitable career for myself, so I made one.
When it came to careers I faced a few extra challenges. Myself, I am a disabled Afro-Indigenous woman living in Canada. That existence comes with a great deal of social challenges.
Essentially Royal Dissension is the artistic representation of my own unique conflict.
As a woman living with a disability, I experience profound gratitude to be living freely in a country that offers incredible health care and aid for people who face the challenges I do. At times it is very humbling and heartwarming to be living in Canada.
Yet on the other side of things, my family and I have also suffered immensely from the colonial violence carried out against Indigenous people. I myself am a survivor of Canada’s foster care system.
For my entire life I have balanced living on extreme ends of differing social and political spectrums. In short, Royal Dissension is a presentation of that conflict. The art is about telling the nuianced story that lies between social extremes.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Royal Dissension is a fashion brand that specializes in creating bespoke armor fashions and headpieces. Everything Royal Dissension offers is truly unique and handmade with the utmost intention.
The brand offers a ready to wear line as well as exquisite custom orders. Royal Dissension is an inclusive brand, designing for male and female forms in a wide range of sizes.
Royal Dissension aspires to be an experience rather than another transaction. “Fashioning The Mind” is the brand’s slogan.
In order to fashion the mind, each piece is akin to wearable art and is handmade with intensity and story. The intention of each piece is to capture the delicate balance between aggression and beauty. Royal Dissension captures this by using silhouettes of war and restraint dripping in fantastical royal opulence.
What sets Royal Dissension apart from others, besides the truly unique designs, is the partially anonymous designer behind the brand.
Unlike a lot of other fashion brands the designer does not centre the brand around her personal identity or name. Instead, the designer attempts to share life experiences therefore broadening the spectrum of connection with others.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I was denied acceptance by the best fashion school in my city.
When I decided to pursue fashion design in a serious way, I immediately sought after formal education. By then I had already established a robust portfolio. Based off of my portfolio I was given a grant to attend any fashion school I wanted.
Naturally, my first application went to the best school in my city. Because I had funds available my first appointment with them happened very quickly.
Right away we found a suitable program for me and everything was unfolding very well. But then I disclosed to them that I had a disability and that it may occasionally impact my attendance.
The school immediately withdrew my application rather than work with the challenges my disability presented.
I laugh at that moment now, wholeheartedly and with joy. It’s incredible how much it doesn’t matter now. But I can remember how much that impacted me at the time.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I would like to see Royal Dissension grow into a design house. An official Atelier.
My goal is to have Royal Dissension know for the exquisite bespoke items it creates but ultimatly the house would be reputable for the ethics of how it created such items. Being mindful of everything from sustainable sourcing, equality in equity as well inclusive representation.
This is definitely a concept that I could discuss for hours! To keep things precise it’s important people understand that Royal Dissension isn’t about me. I do not place my name or self at the center of the brand. Although right now I am the principal designer of Royal Dissension I hope this won’t always be the case.
If all goes according to plan, Royal Dissension will serve as a house where incredible artists come together to create meaningful art. I believe that through humble and anonymous tream work, amazing art has it’s best chance to shine.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.royaldissension.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royaldissension/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/RoyalDissension
Image Credits
Maryna Yazbeckistan Nash Nausher Banaji Sam Kaczur Lillian Liu