Dan's Post Show Exclusive

Written by Safia Malin

““I never want to be the designer that preaches that, I want to be the designer that sets the standard of this is what we’re doing”

Good art evokes emotions. That is what I would call Dan Mclean’s latest collection: emotional. It is so intentionally clear that Dan Mclean poured her essence into this runway experience; she brought us into the inner workings of her world and set the standard of inclusivity, rebellion, and self-love. Every detail was deliberate and I got the honor to sit down with the fashion extraordinaire herself and debrief; this is the 7:20 Me to You post-show exclusive.

Dan Mclean’s runway show, aptly titled "7:20 Me to You," took place in Seattle, WA, in a venue with a unique history—a former boat factory now home to fashion powerhouses. This setting offered a striking contrast to the high fashion spectacle that unfolded, bridging the gap between gritty industrial past and avant-garde present. Dan, known for her sustainable fashion approach, brought a New York Fashion Week experience to the Pacific Northwest, demonstrating her ability to merge the raw with the refined.

Her collection was a multifaceted journey through punk, country, and streetwear, each piece displaying her commitment to sustainability. Dan's designs are not just garments but narratives, intricately crafted from reworked thrifted pieces. She breathes new life into these garments, turning them into unique statements that resonate with her personal history and fashion philosophy.

The show was not just a celebration of fashion but also a personal milestone for Dan, as it coincided with her birthday. Dan served as the muse for her own collection, infusing it with a deeply personal touch. Her birthday runway show was a fusion of self-expression and artistic innovation, where the boundary between designer and muse blurred beautifully.

When asked about the piece she felt most emotionally connected to, Dan shared an endearing story. "So there are a couple of pieces that mean a lot to me in this collection, but I would say my favorite piece is the Mac Dre shirt! I purchased it from a vintage reseller couple (they were so cute!) at my first-ever pop-up market after Covid, I think it was in 2021! I’ve always loved Bay Area music and Mac Dre is one of my favorite artists of all time."

Dan’s narrative around the Mac Dre shirt is a beautiful reflection of her philosophy of fashion as a storytelling medium. "I paid a good amount of money for the shirt and if you know me, you know that I thrift everything I own and I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m cheap, because I only buy good quality things, but I don’t usually spend a ton of money on clothes. ESPECIALLY for myself! But when I am supporting a local business and I am in love with the piece, I will spend a good amount of money on it!"

The shirt’s significance extends beyond its initial purchase. Dan recalled, "I have a personal connection with band tees and merch tees because concerts and shows are my happy place and I always always buy a shirt when I go to a show! I know some people are going to be upset with me about putting grommets in these vintage T-shirts but I personally think that customized shirts are the coolest! They tell a story that a dead stock shirt in perfect condition just doesn’t tell."

The customization process, including the addition of grommets, is Dan’s way of adding her own chapter to the shirts' history. "The Ozzy shirts and the Slayer shirt were both found already cut up, and I love to think about the person that took the time to modify those shirts and how many shows they wore them to. I love when clothing tells a story, and putting grommets in these shirts for the runway show is adding my story to them."

Dan’s approach to fashion—blending sustainability with personal storytelling—was on full display throughout the show. Her designs are a canvas for the past, present, and future, capturing the essence of each garment while weaving in new, innovative elements. By taking reworked thrifted pieces and transforming them into runway-ready art, she not only pays homage to the history of these garments but also creates a fresh narrative that is uniquely her own.

Britanee Wright. Photographed by Fuego Gatsby

In a heartfelt reflection, hair stylist and model Brittanee Wright shared her experience working with Dan. “This is my 5th runway show working with Dan on her team as one of her hair stylists, and it has been more than an honor. To be a part of an incredible positive environment where everybody comes together with their own goals, their own ‘whys’; the energy, the vibes, the teamwork, it is indescribable! It is a community. I come from Idaho each show to be a part of this team because of the high spirits these shows bring. You can be in not the greatest space mentally; this is an environment where you get to just BE, and that is enough. YOU are enough. And you WILL feel the love, the hype, and receive the energy you need to remind yourself of who the hell you are! Dan has created such an inclusive, seen, and safe space for people to thrive and pursue their dreams in whatever lane that may be. While creating relationships we didn’t even know we needed, I am forever grateful for Dan seeing me, believing me, and giving me this opportunity to continue to create alongside her. It’s a beautiful feeling. This last 7.20 show, I had the opportunity to walk the runway while also slaying hairstyles for these incredible models. It has been my first runway in almost 13 years and to say the least I was so nervous. My prior experience on the runway, It wasn’t the most positive or uplifting space. I had stylists not know how to manage my natural hair after telling models to come natural. I had MUAs not be able to match my skin tone correctly so I was either very green or very ashy. It was devastating and was one of the pivot moments in my life where representation TRULY matters in these spaces. I carry this every day as a hairstylist; when you feel good and look good, you do good. My passion truly lies in these spaces to bring that energy, to bring that safety, to bring that sense of being seen and taken care of when people of color are often looked over. I am forever grateful and respect Dan as a designer, but also as a friend. Truly someone who is changing the industry one show at a time, someone who asks questions when something is not understood, and someone who shouts inclusivity from the rooftops and truly wants everyone who wants to be here, to win. We're gonna eat together. It’s an honor to be chosen.”

Dan’s commitment to inclusivity extends deeply into her model casting process. Before creating the collection, Dan holds model castings where she involves the models in the design process, asking them what they want to showcase and what parts of their bodies they want to highlight. "I want them to feel super comfortable and I think that showed on the runway when you know people are doing backflips and busting into the splits, they felt like themselves and felt really comfortable and that was the main goal."

Dan also spoke with heartfelt gratitude about her team. “I have an insane team, the team is incredible,” Dan gushed. “My friend Ruby is a stylist and she can just do the whole thing. This is the first show I was able to sit down and watch the show and I fully trusted her to just like make sure everyone was in their outfits and make sure that everything was just perfectly styled.” Dan also showed a lot of gratitude to her event coordinator, Vivian as well as everyone who helped make this runway a success.

Discussing the show’s energy, Dan said, “It’s so fun. There are so many fashion industry things that are so intense and it’s like for what? Why are we not just having fun and all being our best selves?”.

When it came to the music, Dan shared, “I’m crazy about attention to detail. I want everything to be perfect, which is kind of hard to do. The music was really important to me because I wanted it to feel like if you have ever rode in the car with me, that’s what you get. You get Miranda Lambert and then you get Jeezy or Mac Dre. It’s like you never know what you’re gonna get. I like so many different types of music.”

“It was all of me,” Dan said when discussing the show as a whole. “I’ve been trying so hard to grow the fashion scene in Seattle. A few years ago I went to Fashion Week in NY and I left early because I felt it was too boujee, too like you have to know someone to come here and do this. I hate the ‘you can’t sit with us’ energy that people give. It’s so ridiculous. It’s like why are we acting like that? Let’s change it up.”

Dan's disdain for the "you can't sit with us" mentality drives her to open doors for others in the Seattle fashion industry, emphasizing inclusivity and opportunity.

Her show was also notable for its inclusivity in model casting, featuring all shapes and sizes, diverse races, genders, ethnicities, and even a model in a wheelchair. Model Amanda Polama shared, “I’ve been lucky enough to watch Dan and her brand from the beginnings to now. Participating in one of her shows has been a long goal, and it’s bittersweet that I finally got the confidence to go to a casting post becoming disabled but I’m so grateful to be a part of this.”

By seamlessly integrating sustainability with personal storytelling, Dan Mclean not only presented a distinctive fashion vision but also fostered a vibrant and supportive community where every participant could excel. Her show transcended traditional fashion boundaries, offering a profound experience that highlighted the convergence of artistry and inclusivity. Through meticulous craftsmanship and a genuine commitment to environmental and social values, Dan has set a new standard in the industry. As she continues to innovate and inspire, her work remains a beacon of progress, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive, conscientious, and overall badass future in fashion.

When asked about her next collection, Dan teased, “It’s gonna be kinky.”