Docklands designer

For fashion designer Dhar Ekanayke, Docklands will always be the place where she designed her very first line of clothing.

The young designer last month released her first line of swimwear under her own label “Dhar Exclusive”.

The line is the culmination of three years of hard work for Dhar.

Describing herself as a “workaholic”, she balanced her day-job as a graphic designer for an apparel company, with evenings spent in her apartment designing, producing and marketing her label.

“I know every business is going to be hard work, especially to begin with,” she said.

Dhar said she was inspired to start her own label after completing an internship with Victoria’s Secret in New York.

“I’m originally from Sri Lanka and, after studying in Australia, I worked in Sri Lanka for four years and then went to Victoria’s Secret in New York for an internship.  That exposed me to so much.”

Dhar said the swimwear line itself was inspired by nature.

“All the prints and designs are my own,” Dhar said. “I am so into nature and the environment, so all the prints and colours are nature-inspired.”

In particular, Dhar said she loved the colours of the ocean and said her favourite part of Docklands was the waterfront.

Dhar has lived in Docklands for the past four years and said she loved the convenience, peacefulness and safeness of the suburb.

“I can walk to work, or catch the tram. It’s so safe, I love it,” Dhar said.

And living in such a friendly suburb doesn’t hurt either. “Our neighbours are amazing,” Dhar said.

“I absolutely love living in Docklands. It’s been four years now and this is home for me. I can’t imagine moving.”

As for the future of her label, Dhar has plenty of grand plans.

“It’s a crazy journey, but I have a lot of passion.”

Visit http://www.dharexclusive.com.au for more information about Dhar’s swimwear line.