Staff Writer – Latoya Wakefield
Humble Beginnings have started out some great companies. Just ask Mr. Vincent Chang who started the company of the tastiest patties you’ve ever tasted hhhhmmmm…today we won’t be talking about food but something that’s just as delicious to the eye-sight as Tastees patties are to the taste buds.
For our first Humble Beginnings/Home business Profile that speaks of our local people doing extra-ordinary from their cottages, we’ll be featuring a woman of great personality, innovativeness and creativity, Ms. Doneida Simpson of V’dezdra Creations.
1. What’s the connection between Doneida and V’dezdra Creations?
Well Doneida is “V’dezdra’s Creations” 🙂 V’dezdra comes from my middle name which is Valdezdra… when I was thinking of a name for my clothing line a friend helped me to come up with the name ‘V’dezdra’.
2. How did the idea come about?
Well, I studied Fashion Designing in College, however, it wasn’t until about 6 years later that I saw this beautiful wool being sold in a convenient store and out of nowhere the idea came to me to buy it and crochet something.
I bought the wool and made a bag; brought it to work with me the next day and a co-worker loved it so much that she begged to buy it! I sold her and created another and another and well . . . the rest is history.
3. I admire how aptly my grandmother could knit things but never thought of doing it myself. How difficult is it?
It honestly was very easy for me to learn, truth be told, I think it’s a skill that runs in my family; my aunts and my grandmother are very good! I think it’s an easy skill for one to learn… I would love to teach you 🙂
4. Ha-ha one day, if I ever have the patience to do it…What are some of the creations you’ve done so far?
To date, I’ve done bags, hats, belts, skirts, blouses, swimsuits, dresses, vests and jackets. I’ve done a few baby items as well like blankets and so on. The sky is the limit for me, I’ll crochet pretty much anything.
5. Wow impressive! I might have to order a couple of things from you for my friends’ baby showers… So what’s a typical day in the creative mind of the owner of V’dezdra Creations like?
Doneida Simpson
It all starts with some inspiration. I’m inspired by different things- it could be a nice color or textured wool or a nice outfit I see. It was just yesterday I got the inspiration from the Rebel Salute AD on TV to make a beautiful camouflage/brown skirt suit (mini-skirt and vest).
The idea came to me right away and I just started working and didn’t stop until I was finished – it took me approximately 8 hours to complete! I was driven by the idea and the look I wanted to create and the excitement of seeing the finished product kept me working.
6. So we know it’s all about the chi-chi ching, what’s your prices like? (give price range)
Well, you’ll be happy to know that my prices are very affordable; I try not to be too expensive as I want people to be able to have my stuff and wear them proudly. So for instance a hat starts at $800.00 a bag starts at $2000.
7. Any challenges so far and if so, how do you go on?
The only challenge I have had so far is getting certain color wool, I have that situation under control now though 😉
8. What’s your biggest project to date?
Biggest project… hmmm, that was probably designing a vest for Brian Brown (a local media personality), he was hosting an Oceanstyle event. The theme was 50/5/50 which highlighted 50 years of Independence for Jamaica, 5 years Oceanstyle Magazine and the other 50 years for Trinidad & Tobago’s Independence, with this theme I used the colors of both countries’ flags to inspire me and it came out great! On the night of the event the vest ended up being auctioned for $50,000.00! (Proceeds went to charity) It was a proud moment.
9. We see great potential in your line of business, any plans for the future?
Thank you, I definitely have plans to keep designing and producing my creations. My hope is to be recognized both nationally and internationally. I will start off by having my boutique and expand locally then travel across the seas.. eventually
