Agata Duda at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. What made her stand out?
i.pl: The First Lady appeared at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in a chic, of course black, outfit. However, few people realize that styling for such an occasion requires adapting to certain rules and protocol. Can you explain what this looks like?
Dorota Goldpoint: What is striking to people observing this event from the outside is, first of all, that all the ladies were wearing black dresses. However, it happened in several situations that, unfortunately, this diplomatic protocol was not followed to the extent it should have been.
Very strict rules apply to these types of international, state ceremonies. It seems obvious that you should choose black, but you cannot assume a black, shiny color, because it produces different shades depending on the light. One of the heads of state’s spouses wore just such a dress, which looked navy blue in the light.
Our Lady President is very precise when it comes to following the rules of diplomatic protocol.
Therefore, you must avoid flash, it must be a completely matte thread, deep black, also black matched to the shoes or tights. The dress should also be of the appropriate length – 7/8, i.e. just above the ankle. They cannot be tight dresses, fitted dresses that emphasize the silhouette, and if there is a fitted dress, it must be either a coat, jacket, or with a peplum that slightly hides our shapes, or it can simply be a dress. , which is widened from the waist. Another important thing is headgear. It should be no smaller than 10 cm in diameter, but not too large, it is important that it is not a large hat with a brim. A hairband is also not sufficient. Our First Lady had the correct headgear and her hairstyle was also slightly changed to match it, which was quickly noticed by the media.
Three styles had to be prepared for this occasion. In the first one, the First Lady paid tribute at the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II – it was a double-breasted, sheath dress with a slightly asymmetrical front, but the whole dress followed classic principles. During the evening reception that King Charles III organized in connection with the funeral, the First Lady wore a simple dress with a jacket. For the main ceremony, i.e. the funeral itself, we proposed a dress resembling a suit with a jacket, which was sewn taking into account all applicable protocol rules.
Diplomatic protocol. Agata Duda cares about this very much
i.pl: Why is it important to follow the dress code in such situations?
This is a very high-ranking ceremony. I believe that the higher the rank of the ceremony, the more closely these rules should be followed. In this way, we express our respect for a person, in this case the late Queen Elizabeth II and her successor, but also for the country to which we have come. Clothing is supposed to express our attitude to the circumstances, to the situation, to the people involved in this situation.
We are people who stick to rules and these rules are important to us, both in relation to such large celebrations, but also in relation to smaller events. Our Lady President is always properly dressed, in accordance with diplomatic protocol.
The beginning of cooperation with the President
i.pl: What were the circumstances of starting your cooperation with Agata Kornhauser-Duda?
This cooperation began in 2017. The President saw Alicja Węgorzewska singing at a concert in Jurata. At that time, Alicja Węgorzewska still had very feminine shapes, but in the dress she was wearing, she looked very slim and graceful. I created this outfit literally from a piece of fabric in two days, and it looked good enough that the First Lady noticed it. Father Marcin, a friend of Jurata’s, was also involved in this situation and recommended me to the President, saying that I had my own boutique in this town.
Later, the Chancellery of the President asked me to provide a few selected styles – suits, dresses. The First Lady liked these things, we agreed on a meeting and the principles of cooperation, and this cooperation continues to this day.
In the studio, we are very proud and feel honored that we can dress the President.
What is it like to cooperate with the president’s wife? Where do fittings take place?
i.pl: You mentioned that the President pays great attention to detail when it comes to her outfit, is that why she is a particularly demanding customer?
We are lucky that we work with very demanding clients, the President is one of them. We treat each client in the same way, we make sure that everything is perfectly matched and sewn. This is what tailored sewing is all about – a specific design, concept is created and there are at least two fittings that allow us to adjust a given item.
Therefore, there are no major discrepancies between normal dealings with clients and cooperation with the First Lady. The only difference is that the fittings do not always take place at my Atelier, but often at the Presidential Palace. We cannot meet the President at any time to discuss various issues, but we have developed a different method of communication – we meet regularly, but not like with a standard client.
This cooperation is very good for me because the President has a very specific style. We know what direction we should go in when creating a collection of outfits for various occasions. There are no experiments here, no surprises, we just act according to plan. We implement monthly plans, we know what celebrations and occasions are planned, we prepare for each trip and official visit, during which the President represents our country and all women and she makes sure that the clothes are appropriate.
These outfits are minimalist and conservative, because this is diplomacy, but we are constantly looking for solutions that will introduce an element of modernity into this wardrobe.
Dorota Goldpoint’s client. “My brand can create an outfit for every woman”
i.pl: You also style other famous people, but these are not always women with ideal proportions, resembling slim models on catwalks. What kind of clients do you work with and why do these women so eagerly choose your creations?
I deliberately invited various women, of different ages and shapes, to cooperate as project ambassadors. It is not an art to sew something for a shapely, slim, tall girl, but it is an art to create an interesting outfit for a figure that does not have perfect proportions.
My ambassadors are Grażyna Szapołowska, who happens to have a perfect figure, but is a mature woman, Anna Korcz, Joanna Kurowska, Irena Santor, and the previously mentioned Alicja Węgorzewska.
In this way, I wanted to show that my brand can create an outfit for every woman, we do not stigmatize anyone and we do not single out anyone. We are a brand created out of love for beauty and passion for creation, for every woman.
Big event in Washington. 40 embassies involved in the organization
i.pl: On October 12, a large-scale designer gala of first ladies and heads of state will take place in Washington. The Polish Embassy in the USA is also involved in the event. What is the purpose of organizing such an event and what can you expect from it?
This is the first such gala in the history of diplomacy. 40 embassies of various countries in Washington are organizing an event to recognize designers who sew for first ladies and heads of state. During the gala, each designer will present replicas of two styles. The setting of the entire show, i.e. the choreography of the musician and the model, is organized at such a professional level as at a real fashion show. The ambassadors and their wives will be present there. The gala is also a charity event. Big names from all over the world will appear there.
Our dresses are already in Washington. The invitation to an event attended by world-famous designers and great brands is a great honor for us.
Dorota Goldpoint conquers Dubai. What does this market look like?
i.pl: Before your visit to the USA, you also take part in a show in Dubai, this is your seventh show in this city. Since this year, you have also been associated with Dubai professionally (office and showroom). Why Dubai? What do the first steps on this market look like and does it differ much from what we see in Europe or Poland?
I consider Dubai to be an unsaturated market that is still open to Europe, to new products (…)
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