Natural turn: The dancer-turned-designer shares his approach to finding the perfect fit and fabric.
by Michelle Boudin | photographs by Olly Yung
Daniel Gonzalez was 16, a professional ballroom dancer getting ready for his first global competition, in 2009 when his partner asked him to design a costume for her to wear on the London stage.
“I kind of said, ‘I think my mom has a sewing machine,’ and we designed something,” Gonzalez recalls. “It turned into a small hobby, with me making costumes for my partner. And then other people in the dance studio wanted me to design for them — I had to hire a seamstress because I was doing so many costumes.”
A few years later, Gonzalez was teaching dance when one of his students asked him to design a dress for an upcoming trip.
“She was married to a professional golfer, and … in 2018, they were going to the Ryder Cup (gala) in Versailles.” Gonzalez had made plenty of dance costumes by then, but never a dress.
“I think that’s part of being young and bold, because I was so excited for the opportunity. But I was also so naïve, and that worked in my favor. We made the dress, and it was beautiful.”
Gonzalez didn’t realize it at the time, but that first silk dress influenced the trajectory of his namesake design business, which he debuted in 2020.
“I had never worked with silk, I normally worked with spandex and polyester, and then I did research and fell in love with the idea of using this incredible fabric.” Most of his designs are spun from the silk blends he’s come to love, and many feature his signature shade of chartreuse.
“I thought, if we’re going to put so much work into something, why make it out of disposable, cheap material? The whole process should be romantic and something special from top to bottom.”
A ‘LOVE LETTER’ TO WOMEN
Gonzalez describes his designs as “a romantic love letter to women,” that are grounded in function and practicality.
“I make clean, beautiful silhouettes that work well on women that they can wear for years.”
Gonzalez is meticulous about ensuring the perfect fit, says Lucy Hardison, a client for five years.
“What makes Daniel’s pieces special are his creative designs, attention to detail, beautiful fabrics and expert tailoring,” Hardison says. “For example, rather than a traditional navy pleated skirt, he designed a dress with a half-pleated skirt and then subtly inserted panels of contrasting chartreuse. It is a fun twist, giving new life to a traditionally elegant daytime dress.”
Hardison also admires Gonzalez’s knit pieces, from pleated skirts to chunky popcorn sweaters, and his evening gowns. “His evening dresses are elegant, sleek and sophisticated.”
A ‘PROJECT RUNWAY’ MOMENT
Now one of Charlotte’s most sought-after designers, Gonzalez recently launched what he calls his most ambitious collection. The “Morphic” collection revolves around his love for octopuses and their ability to change and shift.
“I was researching, and I fell in love with them. I find this creature incredible that shifts from being smart and can kill you (though octopus bites are rare, they can be fatal), or can be someone’s best friend. They shift colors and textures, and change shape. It made me think about my favorite clients who are badass women but funny and harsh and strong all at the same time.”
From the beginning, Gonzalez, now 34, says his clothing has been about making women look and feel their best.
“You don’t hide when you dance, and my origin story started with, ‘How do we complement my partner’s shape?’” For example, his former dance partner was short with an athletic build. “From the get-go, I was always problem-solving to create the perfect silhouette. My greatest gift is that I can look at someone and can say, here’s what’s going to benefit your body and is something that’s still comfortable to move in and operate. That was all part of dancing.”
Gonzalez created a full slate of dresses for Nancy Downing when her daughter got married two years ago, including her mother-of-the-bride dress, a pantsuit for the rehearsal dinner and her daughter’s reception party dress. She even wore one of his ready-to-wear pieces for the bridesmaids lunch.
“It was like, weekend by Daniel,” she laughs. Mostly, Downing wanted a dress that she could be comfortable and dance in at the reception.
“I went in there with a few ideas but nothing structured, and he is just a great listener. We brought together a vision for what I had in my head, and he made it come to life. I felt like I was on ‘Project Runway.’”
TAKING RISKS
Originally from Colombia, Gonzalez’s family moved to Gastonia when he was 9 years old before settling in Charlotte. While he is primarily self-taught, Gonzalez learned the fundamentals of design from his aunt, a dressmaker in Spain, and his grandmother. He admits much of his journey has been about risk-taking.
“Worst case, I fail — I just won’t do it again. That mentality saves me.”
He points to the time five years ago when he signed the lease on his Providence Road showroom before he had a fully formed business.
“I was selling out of my living room, and I had a couple of clients. I thought, if we can make five grand this month, it would be great. I’m still young enough that these risks are not as scary.” He’s motivated when clients ask him to create garments for important life events, and by the growth of his ready-to-wear line.
“I’m appreciating that, at no matter what age, if I stop taking risks, what’s the point?” SP
