At the heart of Dyad is its founder, Jess, a designer whose love for form, function, and everyday beauty is woven into each piece she creates. In this edition of #DyadWornByYou, we step into her world to discover what sparks joy in her daily life, the rituals she swears by, and the wardrobe pieces she can’t live without. From Sunday walks on the slopes of Table Mountain to her current music obsessions, Jess shares a glimpse into her style, inspirations, and the creative process behind Dyad.
Keep reading to get to know Jess a little better, her favourite Dyad piece, the items she always carries in her bag, and the creative influences that shape her work.
What brings you joy in the day-to-day?
It’s the little things, like my dogs wagging tails when I come home from work, happy chatter & laughter by my team in the studio, a delicious meal shared with my husband, a great outfit can bring me joy and set the mood for the day, listening to music is a big one or a catch-up with a friend. Not to forget a day at the beach and swim in the ocean. These are a couple of examples I will do or focus on to create joy in the day to day.
Do you have any rituals?
My morning yoga practice is one of my rituals that brings me a lot of calm and focus in my daily life. I can feel a big difference when I skip that ritual. I think I could say our Sunday morning walks on the foot of table mountain with the dogs is another ritual that I rarely miss.
What is your favourite Dyad piece?
Currently, it’s the Flora Bag. It adds something to every outfit and is so practical!
Describe your style in 3 words.
Expressive, comfortable & cool? Minimalist?
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
True crime & crime novels & podcasts. Haha, I sometimes have to limit how much of it I consume as I don’t think it’s necessarily great writing or feeding my intellect much.
Do you have a favourite piece of clothing? Tell us about it
It changes depending on what phase I’m in but I love wide leg linen pants with a cropped leg, I have a black pair from COS. I love combining those with one of my Sleeper tank tops with or without a shirt on top. I currently really love my Ganni barrel leg pants with an elasticated waist! So great, I can dress them up and down and super comfy!
What’s your favourite item in your closet?
My green & white checkered Mara Hoffman linen dress is high up on the list at the moment.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Currently listening to Luther by Kendrick Lamar & SZA on repeat. Then I’ve been listening to the new album by serpentwithfeet and the new album by Nao, both big favourites at the moment. I love the podcast Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud.
Give us 3 things you couldn’t live without.
Other than my husband and my dogs. It’s the obvious. my phone which feels very superficial but it really helps me to capture moments in my day to day with the camera and connect with loved ones far and close. Then my closet, that also seems superficial but getting dressed is such a big part of how I express myself and it brings me so much joy. Then there are a couple of heirloom jewelry pieces that would be very difficult to part with. But also actually my home. I love having a beautiful, comfortable and cozy home base to retreat to.
Do you remember your first bag?
I don’t remember my first one but I remember a couple over the years. There was a small crossbody bag handmade out of tan leather embossed with some abstract pattern that my parents bought for me on a holiday to Tunisia, I must have been around 6 years old. I loved it and it had a very specific leather smell that I remember. I also remember a navy blue crossbody bag I got from my grandmother and loved it so much. It was a very classic navy leather bag with a big flap, quite minimalist and I used that one for many years.
What would we always find in your bag?
Other than a phone, wallet and keys it would be prescription sunglasses, a German classic: a tub of Kaufmann’s Haut und Kinder Creme for my lips and a hand cream.
What do you keep coming back to in your creative process?
Colour, function and shape inform everything. And my ideal customer or a person whose style I admire.
Your favourite spots in Cape Town
Drinks: Leo’s & Aperitif
To eat: Good to Gather & Ouzeri
To swim: the beach between Clifton 4th and Maiden’s Cove
Nature: our walking route above Higgovale
Jess wears our Flora Bag in Lobster Red
