As The Hackers Paradise rolls into week 2 of Fall Fashion Preview we have something special in store for our readers. During our Spring and Fall Fashion Previews we cover apparel brands that are both large and small. But it is a rare exception when we get to officially launch an apparel brand to our readers and the world.
To properly introduce our readers to a brand like Donna Bonn Designs, it is important to meet the person behind the clothing. Here is an interview with the designer and owner of this new line, Donna Bonn.
Click on the pictures to enlarge to Hi-Res Photo
THP – Tell us about how Donna Bonn Designs got started?
DB – Donna Bonn Designs was started after years of waiting for a cute, fashionable golf clothing line to hit the marketplace. I have been playing golf all of my life, first as a junior golfer then as a college player for the University of Arizona and now for fun as an amateur. I have always excelled in golf and had a strong interest in fashion. In my many years of playing golf, I had been searching for a stylish line of golf clothes I could endorse and wear. I grew frustrated with golf shirts due to the short length, loose fit, and lack of feminine features. I started talking with friends and players and found that there is a large section of women golfers who are also unhappy with women’s golf clothing. I even had a friend tell me that she will not take up the game because she wouldn’t be caught out in public wearing the clothes! An LPGA friend told me she stopped wearing golf clothing and wears t-shirts and tennis skirts on the golf course. With so many women making the same point, I decided to design exactly what myself and so many women want.
THP – What made you decide on the timing of your launch?
DB – We brought our line to market as quickly as possible because we know there is a big need for this product. We were in development for 14 months before our debut at the PGA Merchandising Show in Las Vegas on Sept. 1-2, 2009. We pushed hard to get sales samples in by the Show in Las Vegas feeling like it was a perfect platform for our introduction to the marketplace. The line successfully debuted at the Fall PGA Show. We received nothing but positive feedback and much thanks from women who, like myself, have been waiting for line like this.
THP – What inspirations do you draw from in designing new apparel?
DB – Our line is inspirated by everyday fashion pieces you would see in department stores. We have taken the modern sleeves and feminine accents from such pieces and applied them to the garments so that it will look fashionable and will also function properly while playing golf. I have a tremendous passion to revolutionize women’s golf clothes and bring a cute, fitted, contemporary piece to women who want to look fashionable on and off the golf course. I am inspired by this challenge because this market of women who demand more out of golf attire continue to be overlooked.
THP – The line that you sent to us being featured here, tell us about it?
DB – Our line features 3 collections that have a range of fashion and pricing. We developed 3 collections because we understand that all women that enjoy fashion do not all have the same style. All collections feature ORGANIC FABRIC and a longer, contemporary fit so the woman golfer will not have exposure at follow thru or while bending over. The contemporary fit is a first for women’s golf. We talked to college women golfers who admitted to buying their golf shirts 2 sizes smaller to get them to fit in the stomach area. When doing so, that makes the traditional golf shirt even shorter in length and too small in the shoulders. We are here to help with this problem by providing the contemporary fit, which was completely lacking in golf before Donna Bonn Designs. We are seeing this fit in men’s golf and other athletic wear; it is about time women’s golf offer this option to the female golf athlete. The fabric we use is organic and has a soft, stretchy feel. The fabric also has natural moisture wicking and anitbacterial properties as well. Our Seville Collection has a lot of incredible and unique features such as, a double row rhinestone zipper, lace on the bottom of the shirt and modern elastic gathered sleeves. Our Abbey Collection has a cute button down front, capped sleeves and an elastic raw edge on the sleeve. Our Taylor Collection is the first golf t-shirt to be introduced to the marketplace. Our golf t-shirts feature distressed screen printed graphics and collar to meet the golf dress code. These 3 collections are sure to appeal to any woman who wants to wear a fashionable piece on or off the golf course.
THP – What does the future hold for Donna Bonn Designs?
DB – We debuted our line with 3 Collections. Based on the tremendously positive response we have received, the future looks bright for Donna Bonn Designs. We have received many orders, are now carried in many golf shops in multiple markets in the United States and abroad. We currently have multiple LPGA players that wear the line and are in talks with players from other tours. Our intent is to introduce ourselves to the marketplace and then expand with additional pieces within our collections and also introduce golf skirts, shorts, jackets, and long sleeved golf shirts.
THP – Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about the brand?
DB – Our line is unique and it is breaking the barrier that women’s golf clothes have to be traditional polo shirts. Our line offers organic sportswear that has the utmost quality and offers the newest fashion trends at a reasonable price. With Donna Bonn Designs you will feel good playing the sport you love. Prepare to be noticed. Finally….Play meets fashion.
We want to thank Donna Bonn for taking the time to talk to us and introducing her line to consumers through The Hackers Paradise. We look forward to seeing what the future holds and if the first line is any indication, it should be quite bright.
For more information on any of the apparel shown in this preview, check out their website at www.donnabonndesigns.com.
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GolferGal
