CHANEL DAGHER
CREATIVE BIOGRAPHY
Beginning her formal studies at the Whitehouse Institute of Design in Melbourne marked the continuation of a lifelong creative journey for fashion designer Chanel Dagher. Guided by her grandmother, a professionally trained Italian tailor, Dagher first discovered her passion for fashion at nine years old, developing an early appreciation. With Italian and Middle Eastern roots, Dagher’s work balances heritage and individuality. From a young age, she recognised that clothing held meaning, shaping how one carried themselves with care and intention. Throughout her studies at the Whitehouse Institute of Design, she honed her skills in illustrating, tailoring, draping, and couture techniques, earning the Designer of the Trimester Award in both Trimester 1 and 3. Her growing presence within the industry was further recognised when she was chosen as a finalist for Fashions on the Field, presented by Vogue Australia, presenting her designs to a panel of industry figures. Her philosophy rejects the ephemerality of fast fashion, favouring intentional, enduring designs that are timeless yet contemporary.
DESIGN STATEMENT
Womenswear collection PRIMA draws on the designer’s fascination with duality, using couture techniques to bring four characters to life through the tension between historic menswear tailoring and feminine fluidity. Crisp bibs, structured cummerbunds, satin bowties and velvet detailing are reimagined with softness, sensuality and sculptural drape. The Seduisant characters appear in commanding black, tuxedo-inspired silhouettes with pleated shirting, haltered necklines and cascading velvet bows, expressing confidence and allure. Their demure counterparts emerge in deep mulberry satin, wrapped in sculptural bows that evoke devotion and grace. Together, these silhouettes create a fashion-forward study of strength, vulnerability, and the shifting identities women navigate.
