It started when..
Larissa Brown (founder) became obsessed with the natural hair movement online back in 2016 and decided to do her dissertation project (an online magazine) on the impact of natural hair discourse on black female consciousness.
The plan was to..
Create an online store that sells magazines and hair & body products. However, Larissa didn't have the funding or drive to do both, due to being fresh out of university and unemployed in 2017.
After getting a job at TATE Modern, Larissa networked with other creatives and successfully created four magazine prints, executing the design and interviews all single-handedly whilst working full-time.
Whilst still low on funds to make the cosmetics and the workload getting heavy, Larissa paused on DARQ.
In 2020..
Larissa reopened the store but could only sell the hair & body products due to social distancing as we couldn't meet up to do photography and interviews for the magazines. Throughout 2021, Larissa created the products in her home and sold them online.
After suffering a mental episode with anxiety and depression in 2022, Larissa paused DARQ a second time to focus on healing and building financial stability.
Today,
DARQ is back and better than ever with a fresh lineup of products, new merchandise, and an exciting rebrand. The magazines may also make a return—in a reimagined format, with a twist.