By Chadd Cawson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Summer is here and love is in the air, which means weddings in the valley that calls for perfect hair not only just for the bride but for the wedding party, as well. “I specialize in bridal hair and will travel for such events,” says Destinie Parisien, CEO and hair stylist at D’zire Designs in Radium, which officially opened Sept. 30, 2021. Despite being open less than a year, this Parisien solo business venture has so far been a great experience.

“Honestly, it has been amazing. Word travels fast when you love what you do,” says Parisien. “I feel extremely blessed to have had such a supportive and loving community visit my studio.”

Born in Invermere and raised in Canal Flats and Cranbrook, Parisien moved to Radium less than six months before opening D’zire Designs and she says it was her sister that came up with the name. “The “D” is a word play off my name Destinie,” says Parisien. “However, the feather and infinity sign in my logo represents my Métis background.”

D’zire Designs is located and operates on the unceded territories of the Secwépemc and Ktunaxa People and the land chosen as home by the Métis Peoples of B.C., which runs along the Columbia River. Parisien graduated with honours from the LA School of Hair Design in Lethbridge, Alta., and continues her education through diverse courses.

“I am taking a course at the end of July on six different methods to do extensions through Bellami. This is my passion and something I specialize in,” says Parisien. “My mother and grandmother inspired the idea for me to get into hair as they both are in the beauty industry and now my sister is as well. We sometimes do weddings together I do hair and my sister does make up and lash extensions.”

After both good and bad experiences working with other stylists, Parisien desired more freedom to do what she enjoyed. D’zire Designs started out of her place up at Panorama seeing a few clients a week before moving down to Radium making an extra room into her private hair studio. “I’ve never felt more aligned and inspired in my entire eight years of doing hair,” says Parisien. “I love making people feel beautiful. My favourite service would have to be styling because I admire the colours wrapped around the iron from the finished product of a long colour service or the thrill on a bride’s face.”

Parisien says she is also enjoying the marketing side of the job. Originally wanting to be a photojournalist, she uses Instagram as the platform to showcase her work behind the chair and the camera and has an interest in working with other artists from the community.

“I like getting local artists together for collaboration events,” says Parisien. “I’ve only done a couple but would love to get more into that as well.”

For those looking to go a little lighter for the summer months, blonding services, hair tattoos and skin fades are just a few of Parisien’s other specialties. She takes pride in the experience she has working with Redken 5th Ave NYC products. Parisien also offers a meditative scalp massage using the Redken ABC treatment to ease stress.

“I like to take my time and be thorough,” says Parisien. “I hope my clients will trust the process and enjoy the mountain view and leave falling in love with their hair again and with all the proper education to upkeep their beautiful new locks.”