Daines Atelier
When designer Evie Daines of Daines Atelier needed fresh visual identity for her latest collection, we headed to the surrounding areas of Frome, Somerset.
Why Frome for Fashion Photography?
Frome (pronounced "Froom") isn't your typical fashion photography location, and that's exactly the point. Named by The Times as one of the best places to live in the UK, this Somerset market town has become a haven for independent makers, designers, and artists who've rejected fast production in favor of creating things that last.
With over 500 listed buildings, cobbled streets, and a thriving creative community, Frome provided the perfect setting to showcase Evie's handcrafted designs. The town's character: historic yet forward-thinking, independent yet welcoming, mirrors the ethos of Daines Atelier itself.
Daines Atelier: Handcrafted Fashion with Purpose
Evie Daines creates clothing the way it used to be made: by hand, with care, one piece at a time. Each garment from Daines Atelier is a testament to traditional craftsmanship meeting contemporary design. These aren't clothes designed to be worn once and discarded, they're investment pieces, made to be loved, worn, and eventually passed down.
Creating Editorial Imagery That Honors Craft
Working with handmade fashion requires a different photographic approach. These aren't mass-produced pieces shot in bulk: each garment represents hours of skilled work.
Frome's Creative Community and Slow Fashion
Frome has become Somerset's creative capital, known for its monthly Independent Market (first Sunday of each month, March-December) where makers and artisans sell handmade ceramics, small-batch food, and craft that's the antithesis of mass production. Walk down Catherine Hill and you'll pass independent boutiques, contemporary galleries, and studios where you can watch makers at work.
This is a town that gets it. The people who live here, work here, and visit here understand the difference between something made by hand with care and something churned out by the thousands. They value provenance, craftsmanship, and supporting independent businesses.
Why Somerset for Independent Fashion Photography
Somerset has quietly become a hub for independent fashion brands, textile artists, and makers who've chosen countryside life over city chaos without sacrificing creative ambition. From Frome's artisan quarter to the studios scattered across the Mendip Hills, there's a growing community of designers creating beautiful work on their own terms.
Photographing Daines Atelier here feels part of documenting this movement, the people who are proving you don't need London or Paris to create world-class fashion. You just need skill, vision, and a community that supports independent makers.
Fashion Photography That Tells Your Brand Story
Working on this project reminded me why I love editorial photography for independent brands. There's freedom to tell authentic stories without corporate constraints, to create images that reflect real values rather than manufactured ones.
If you're a designer, maker, or creative business based in Somerset or the wider South West, and you're looking for photography that captures not just what you make but why you make it, I'd love to collaborate.
Exploring Frome's Creative Scene
Frome Independent Market: First Sunday monthly (March-December)
Catherine Hill: Cobbled street filled with artisan boutiques and independent shops
Cheap Street: Historic shopping street with natural stream running through
Black Swan Arts: Contemporary arts centre and creative hub
Regular open studio events and art trails throughout the year
About Dimpsey Studio
Based between Somerset, Dimpsey Studio specialises in editorial photography for independent brands, designers, and makers who value craftsmanship and authentic storytelling. Get in touch to discuss your next photography project.
