If style has a rogue child in Guyana it is probably Dorian Obermuller, who brashly walks around with make-up and fashion so loud it screams “you can’t look away”. He is the sort of daring, fascinating personality who stirs a bit of envy in some people, simply because he knows how to sell something by wearing it.
Some people have bad hair days; Dorian can’t recall the last day his hair looked ordinary. Some women never wear make-up, Dorian knows how to make-up his face to go with his look. And while some women daydream about channelling Rihanna’s look; Dorian was inspired to the point where he is currently rocking it but with a darker edge. And you know what is interesting? He actually pulls it off because he is not trying too hard.
He turned up for the audition of Sonia Noel’s Designer Portfolio competition earlier this year outfitted in skinny jeans, knee-high boots, jersey and scarf and a punkish hairstyle, hoping to make the cut as a designer. The team rejected Dorian, but asked him to join the Stylist competition since he obviously looked the part. Initially, he was furious since his gut feeling had always been that he was a designer, but he accepted and predictably won.
The question on people’s mind when they first notice him is, “Who is that guy?” The only problem he has with the question is that he cannot realistically respond to everyone who is querying. His world, though filled with people who stare constantly, is also a place where he gets up everyday and does as he feels. If he feels like feathers or extensions in his hair and a blond streak it’s pretty much a done deal. There are few people who would walk the streets of Georgetown wearing a blazer that comes complete with a ten-foot trail; Dorian has done it a few times and is likely to do it again.
On Thursday he dropped by Stabroek News’ office for a sit-down, to chat with The Scene about
his life before and after his success in the Stylist Competition. He wore printed denim jeans, jersey, a jacket he created out of an old pair of jeans, flat shoes, sunglasses, dark make-up and he sported a low haircut with a blonde patch. It was one of his more tame looks, but he still managed to grab a fair share of attention and naturally people wanted to know more about him.
“Every time I go out, I get a bit depressed because people here are not really fashion conscious and worse we are in a global recession,” Dorian says. “But I never approach people and say anything. One time I did and the woman asked if I wanted to fund her wardrobe change,” he laughs.
He brags that he can take a plain Jane and make her into a local glam goddess since according to him, “it’s not about selling her, it’s about selling her look”. He rates good skin care as the best kept fashion secret and is also high in praise of women who take pride in their hair.
Dorian loves working with women, he gushes that he admires the female frame and loves “dressing it up”. He has sisters who have benefited from his advice, but said his inspiration came from his mother and her love for ‘dressing-up’. He recalled his mother leaving the home with her accessories no matter where she was going, particularly her pearl jewellery and since he was a little boy growing up he had dreams of being the guy who would style women. He is of the opinion that women should try to carry themselves in a certain way when they leave home, adding that a sacrifice entails going into the pocket “for you”.
He questioned whether Guyanese women actually spend money on themselves saying some women are so obsessed with other things that they forget how important it is to take care of “you”. His advice to women is that they dedicate some time to “being you and loving you”. He rejects any theory that some women are unattractive and believes that in every woman there is something “attractive to notice. There is no such thing as an ugly woman, I simply cannot accept it, give me ten minutes with any woman people call ugly and I will make her the envy of others.”
Dorian is not one to sing his own praises, but he is aware of his strengths. From the moment he entered the Stylist Competition he knew a win was heading his way since according to him, “I was the bold one”.
He said a sense of fearlessness ought to guide every stylist, observing that if someone is a stylist “you need to wear your look and sell it”. The ambition in him has pushed Dorian to feel that Guyana is not a place where he can grow as a stylist/designer and he openly discusses the fact he is interested in free movement across the region.
In another few months, Dorian hopes to be in Jamaica, where he said Caribbean fashion and style are thriving. He said too that Jamaica is investing in the arts and pumping money into projects that foster regional talent. “The industry over there is vibrant, it encourages you,” Dorian said of Jamaica.
He was trained as a designer at Burrowes School of Arts and went on to do consultancy work at a local boutique. His background is in costume designing and while still a student of Annandale Secondary, East Coast Demerara he played an integral role in the Mashramani costumes. After he left Annandale Dorian was re-hired by the school as a costume designer. He also disclosed to that he designed costumes for the Brazilian contingent that was here last year for Carifesta.
Dorian also designs clothing and recently unveiled his haute couture line at Guyana Fashion Weekend which was fairly well received. His fashion mirrors him; nothing is ordinary about it.
Just over a month ago he spent some time in Brazil styling models and while on vacation in Barbados a short while ago he ended up working on a photo shoot purely by accident. Dorian recalled that he had showed up to support a friend who was involved in the project and the crew was so impressed with his look and his advice he was asked to play a role in the production.
If any local woman is in need of advice about a piece of clothing or make-up Dorian said he is just a call away. “I charge nothing for advice, it’s free so if anyone feels the need they can call me. However, if someone is interested in having me style them; that comes with a fee,” he said flashing a smile.
At age 23 years Dorian is on his way and that is something he knows. He plans to take Jamaica and the Caribbean by storm before moving on to New York. Dorian can be contacted on telephone number 653-1204.
(ianaseales@yahoo.com)