COVID 19 Interview with Dianna Drahanchuk, Guest Blogger, Photographer, and Fellow Fashionista

I first met Dianna when, as a Fashion Grad from Blanche MacDonald, she won a Design Competition and had her creation displayed at the Museum of Vancouver. We both volunteer MSC_BWSS (My Sister's Closet Thrift Boutique at Seymour and Helmcken; she identifies, prices vintage pieces and helps with Fashion events, and I sort, price, cashier and try my best to recruit new volunteers. You can now shop online here! We both encourage Designers and Artists to come to the store to be highlighted on the blog. Dianna guest writes and has done a lot of photography over the years. Here is a fashion Grad Show she covered at Blanche:http://www.clotheslinefinds.com/2018/11/blanche-maconald-cherry-bomb-graduate.html Because she lived for many years in Victoria, she is interested in the fashion community there and recently we covered Fashion Splash, there.

Because of COVID 19 restrictions, we have talked only by phone, shared jokes, and talked about future plans. But, we don't get to events. She sent me these beautiful photos of a walk she took in Stanley Park. When I saw the pictures, I commented that this was something new and different for her. I decided to ask her more about her time in isolation, away from family, and her usual busy schedule. My COVID 19 conversations are inspired by Marilyn R Wilson, writer and blogger: olio by Marilyn. Thank you, Marilyn and Dianna!

Interview with Dianna Dranhanchuk

1) Please tell us about your main activities before COVID 19

Volunteering at MSC and at SMOC (Museum of Costume, Hycroft) community events, Art Gallery, Foreign Films and VIFF here. I also travel extensively and enjoy experimental cooking and Happy Hours.

2) How did you work with people before COVID 19?

Connecting with Fashion people at the schools and at SMOC, going into the stores and researching pricing and trends, chatting with my work team on my shift at MSC, scouting out the fashion community in Victoria, volunteering at the Film Fests, dancing, blogging, group photography shots, lots of groups and conversations. Here I am at a Kwantlen Grad Show.

3) How has Social Isolation affected you during COVID 19?

Now I walk for exercise and enjoyment, not just to get from point A to point B. I listen to more Audio Books. I talk more on the phone. My sister, who lives in Palm Springs, and I talked for 41/2 hours, recently. I do much more cooking and baking.

4) What are some changes that move you forward, during this time?

More time with family, via phone and Face-Time. Since there are now traffic restrictions in Stanley Park, there are more opportunities for nature photography. Look at the flowers! Now that My Sister's Closet thrift boutique is newly online, I might be doing more shopping.

5) No motto or mantra. As the interviewer, Colleen, I am interjecting here. I think 'ever onward' is a good one for Dianna as she is always thinking about what is next and is great at getting those photos done and up so we can apply to do the next event. Another motto might be: research and ask; don't assume anything. When we did our first photo shoot at Victoria Fashion Splash, I assumed there would be a list of participants. Here was a fabulously hard working team and I didn't know their names. Fortunately, I mentioned this to Dianna. She, of course, the planner, had her own extensive list, made in preparation for the shoot. So, the final mantra would be: "I'll be there. You got a friend."