WORKING WITH FAMILY

Christian (Joel’s brother and our new Head of Print), Molly, and Joel

This photo was taken almost 5 years ago to the day. It’s of me (Molly), Joel and Christian (my brother in law). We were in Sanxenxo on a family holiday. My parents were there from Australia too. We had just received our first D&D samples and did our first DIY photo shoot with the boys shooting and the girls ‘modelling’.

We had spent the summer the year before, on the floor of my bedroom above a pub designing our first sets of D&D’s. Christian was on garden leave and visiting from Germany.

Almost 5 years on, and Christian is coming back to London to join the D&D team full-time. Tomorrow is his first day. I am not going to pretend I am not a little nervous. We are lucky enough to have a relationship that is less ‘in-law’ and more sibling. With closeness comes brutal honesty and high expectations. When we were first starting D&D it was Christian and I that would usually end up in heated ‘discussions’ and silent treatment matches. Juanita (the boys mum) would break up the debates with bribes of lollies and threats of no dinners. Joel would try and mediate, dreading having to side with his girlfriend or brother. We would always sort it out and end up closer together.

With a team and a studio now, I wonder how the debates will go down? I hope they still happen... its how our best ideas come about. I wonder how the dynamics will change with Joely? I wonder how having another guy (Joel is currently the only male) in the studio will be? I hope Christian loves our team as much as we do, and they love him. I hope his beautiful girlfriend Sara loves London and their move to another country is worth it.

D&D has always been a big part of our families, and our families a big part of D&D. Alina has Joel’s mum on speed dial, and my parents fly from Australia to help organise our pop-ups. I love that a huge part of who we are is shared not only my husband but with the entire family. D&D is not just my ‘work’ it is a huge part of who I am.

So what’s the point of this email? I guess, to let you in on the intimate details of D&D, as you let us into your homes and inbox. It’s to say I think working with family is one of the best things you can do and not something to be scared of.

So, wish us luck! We will keep you in the loop of how we get on.

x Molly

Alana (Joel’s sister and Molly on D&D’s first shoot)