Orlando Dugi: Evening Wear Born in the Southwest

Photos by Mike Satterfield
Model: Bobbi Jeen Olson

Conceived in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2011, the brand DUGI is a fledgling special occasion and evening wear fashion house. It began in a small 150-square-foot in-home studio and in 2013 moved into a 650-square-foot design studio. DUGI first began with elaborately hand-beaded evening clutches and bags, then introduced a line of jewelry to the brand, and now includes evening gowns. The brand name “DUGI” pronounced Doo-guy, (daghááii in Navajo) means “mustache” in the Navajo American Indian language. The designers heritage.

The designer ensures the use of the highest quality fabrics, materials, and embellishments. Every piece is handmade and is one-of-a-kind sample size, until it is ordered in a specific size. Each hand-beaded clutch or handbag is expressly made by the owner and designer of the brand name DUGI. The garments are still made in-house but often with the help of two bead assistants and a seamstress. The DUGI brand personifies bold and adventurous yet elegant and scintillating women. The line is currently available online at www.OrlandoDugi.com and off the runway

Add caption