Creative Workspace – Dan Gosling

Dan Gosling, a major player and influencer in the fashion world, also has a passion for architecture and designer vintage sofas. So I dropped in to have a chat with him in the space behind Black Box Boutique, before I left for my trip to Sydney.

The area behind the store emanates creativity, the walls are lined with next year’s collections, an abstract vase dangles from the ceiling and a to-die-for vintage ds-0125  de Sede sofa sits in the centre of the room.

I’m fascinated with the evolution of high achievers, especially when they make it on their own, so I thought I’d take a few steps back and see where it all began.

Dan’s first business venture came by accident when he was only eighteen. His friend was a professional American snowboarder and he approached Dan to sell his boards called Silence Snowboards.

He then moved to London for a few years and on his return, contacted some of the labels that he liked abroad that weren’t represented in New Zealand. He soon picked up shoe label, Adio Shoes, and teamed up with a friend who was doing something similar. At the same time he ran an Indonesian teak furniture shop on Ponsonby Road with Steve Dunstan of Huffer.

So how did Stolen Girlfriends Club begin? “Marc (Moore) and Luke  (Harwood) started the brand,” he said. “Marc came up with the idea of the name for his art exhibition, and then started with a couple of t-shirts. At that time Marc was working for my distribution company, and then it got to the point where they made one range and needed help. They got me in to be the third partner.”

The formula works well with Marc as Creative Director, Luke doing the branding, and Dan looking after the business side. (Luke recently moved to the States to concentrate on expanding there). I mentioned to him that Stolen Girlfriends Club is already a success abroad with quite a following. “Yes,” he said, “It’s quite amazing how it’s travelled so far and so quickly, probably because we were really one of the first brands to push the Internet stuff.”

From there he created Stem Distribution, which now represents over twenty brands, followed by Black Box Boutique. He then went into partnership with Stephen and Lucy, of Stephen Marr and Lucy & The Powder Room and Karen Walker to create The Department Store. “From the actual idea, we had it opened within six months, which is quite incredible now that I think about it.” He says, “It’s so great to be part of an amazing creative team.” His latest venture is White Box Boutique.

When you look at the incredible fit outs of Black Box and The Department Store, you get a feeling for his love of architecture and interior design.

Dan’s interest in architecture comes from his father’s influence. “Dad has a real love of it and has built some pretty amazing houses in his time.” He said. “He’s not an architect, he’s an accountant, and he just came up with the ideas and got them done. From there I’ve been obsessed with everything from interiors to exteriors, to lighting and furniture around different periods.”

I asked him which eras speak to him the most, “The Modernist Movement, Brutalism, Brazilian architecture, all of it is really amazing.” He said, “They don’t make houses like they used to, it’s a lack of thought. It would cost the same amount of money to build your normal day kind of house to something amazing. Obviously a lot of thought needs to go into it, and you need to be passionate about it to put the time in to research what you want, and to tell people what you want.”

Dan has recently purchased a new home for his family that he is now renovating. “In preparation for redoing my house, I’ve spent hours and hours collecting images of what I like, and for each little project that I do, I just go back again and revisit (these images).”

Talking to Dan I understand that it’s no accident where he is today. He has such an incredible sense of drive and attention to every small detail. He knows what he wants and he finds a solution.

I told him that I’m in love with his de Sede sofa. He purchased it along with other couches from a guy in Belgium who sources for dealers. “I tell him what I like and he sends me a whole lot of stuff. Some of the stuff I keep, others I sell on.”

What sofa does he have in the home? “A B&B Italia Old Harry Couch, which serves the purpose for the moment but we will change once we’ve renovated our living space. We’ll then get something that fits well.”

I asked if he intends to expand more in the homewares department from DL & Co?

“We are looking to do an objects range for Stolen Girlfriends Club. We’ve got some great ideas that we’re working on at the moment.”

And where do you see the trends in furniture and homewares going? “I see a bit of a mix match, something old and something new, and people really searching for stuff, and putting a bit of a personality into it. Even getting something made and being quite industrious with what you have – upcycling and putting a cool twist to it, I think.“

Thanks Dan, it’s been a pleasure.