Extending the poignant Dark Side collection, with its heavy symbolism of the lasting and devastating effect of Kawasaki Disease. Designer and founder of Kawasaki Disease UK (registered charity; Kawasaki Fund), Dee Izmail has created the Dagger Dress. This piece is a striking allegory of the pain and suffering that young children endure and carry into adulthood - even when those symptoms go unnoticed for more than five days.
Kawasaki Disease mainly affects children under the age of 5 years, it causes the blood vessels to become inflamed and swollen, which can lead to complications in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart (coronary arteries). It is also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome. This deadly condition is now known to be the leading cause of coronary heart disease which mainly affects children. In the United Kingdom alone, Kawasaki disease affects approximately 8 out of every 100,000 children annually.
Unendingly inspired by her own personal experience, the staggering item has been designed as a visual stimulus to increase awareness of the little-known but extremely dangerous illness causing coronary scaring and calcification complications later in life even if treated.
A dark, tenacious body piece, representing the tight, enduring and tense internal battle that victims of the disease experience with swollen glands and serial discomfort. The centerpiece is the array of rigid, biting and metallic triangular assets which act as a reminder of the scars left behind, both mentally and physically by Kawasaki also triggered by Covid as an effect of Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome (PIMS).
The Kawasaki Fund’s objective is to save lives by increasing awareness and establishing prompt diagnosis as well as providing a parent hand guide and updated published researched files for General Practitioners (GPs).
The designer's own life was once impacted by this condition with her own child due to a lack of General Practitioner knowledge.
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About:
Dee Izmail, founder and chairwoman of Kawasaki Disease UK began her fight against the disease in 1993 when her daughter's symptoms were misdiagnosed. A South African nurse argued that the symptoms were classic signs of the disease and treated her immediately. Dee is a ready-to-wear and couture designer with a diverse style, including chainmail, broken mirrors, fine-wiring embellishments, latex, and hand-painted clothing. She has showcased her artisan pieces globally and has worked with celebrities like Beyoncé, Cher, Spice Girls, Shania Twaine, Eddy Izzard, and Warner Bros.
To find out more about Kawasaki Disease UK or to help the cause please save a life and donate today.
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