In the beginning of two thousand four Lee began his design work alongside fellow artist, turned designer Josh Swain. They began their work as more of an art project, bringing the garb in their art to life. Initially this was just for their own use, a natural progression from the years modifying clothes to suit their individual tastes. Shortly after their work began friends started making requests and then mere acquaintances were offering to buy their custom made pieces.
In the fall of two thousand four Lee and Josh showed their first collection at Omaha’s first Goth ball. Thus began DOMINIKAT…
Lee has continued creating custom pieces for clients throughout the region as well as local shows and stage productions. His work now encompasses many genres and styles such as: Goth, Industrial, Lolita, Punk, Steam punk, Fetish, and even formal attire. Lee also builds custom accessories working mostly with leather; he enjoys making items such as collars and bracelets along with the occasional handbag or purse. Bondage gear is also one of his favorite areas to work in; usually designed and custom made for special clients. The challenge of fulfilling their specific requests is what truly entertains him with this medium. On a more personal note, working with leather is actually a childhood hobby that has stood the test of time and evolved with him. The varied chaos of his mind is where most of the concepts and inspiration come from for his creations; music seems to be his favored muse.
In the fall of two thousand four Lee and Josh showed their first collection at Omaha’s first Goth ball. Thus began DOMINIKAT…
Lee has continued creating custom pieces for clients throughout the region as well as local shows and stage productions. His work now encompasses many genres and styles such as: Goth, Industrial, Lolita, Punk, Steam punk, Fetish, and even formal attire. Lee also builds custom accessories working mostly with leather; he enjoys making items such as collars and bracelets along with the occasional handbag or purse. Bondage gear is also one of his favorite areas to work in; usually designed and custom made for special clients. The challenge of fulfilling their specific requests is what truly entertains him with this medium. On a more personal note, working with leather is actually a childhood hobby that has stood the test of time and evolved with him. The varied chaos of his mind is where most of the concepts and inspiration come from for his creations; music seems to be his favored muse.
Design isn’t something I just decided to do one day because it sounded like a good idea at the time. It was something that was built and refined over a long period of time. In grade school I came upon the first mentally challenging environment. A class that involved very technical ideas and operations which included CNC CAM , pneumatics, and electric circuitry. This experience was the beginning of my love for design. At another school I studied manual drafting, drawing mechanical parts and circuitry. The point I reached high school is when I really started letting my creativity flow. I did this through many different classes which included computer aided drafting, architecture, construction and engineering academy, and information technology academy. All of my experience with design through varying different forms of education made an excellent launching pad for me to dive into different areas of design. Over the next few years after high school, I dabbled in landscape design, interior design, and architectural design.
In February of 2007 I was deployed overseas with the US Military. All of the new sights and experiences were overwhelming. This is what drove me to buy my first professional level camera. While overseas I mostly shot landscape photos of the foreign terrain and local architecture. By the time I returned home, in February of 2008, I had a new love for photography. Lee Cunningham and I, who had met through Jeff Nelson, had been good friends for years. Within 6 months of being home I had become the primary photographer for Lee’s clothing and design company, Dominikat. Over the next year I made myself available to Lee’s company as well as Josh Martinez’s company, Synthetic Productions. The experience I gained over this time allowed me to hone and perfect my shooting techniques.
In June of 2009 I joined Lee and Barry, Lee’s new hyperactive business manager, for what seemed to be a regular company meeting. It was there that they offered me a partnership in Dominikat. I quickly accepted their offer and became an official partner in the organized chaos. Dominikat is more than just having fun with friends in my spare time. It’s an ambitious effort to push something I strongly believe in and making it as big as possible. We will conquer, be prepared…
In February of 2007 I was deployed overseas with the US Military. All of the new sights and experiences were overwhelming. This is what drove me to buy my first professional level camera. While overseas I mostly shot landscape photos of the foreign terrain and local architecture. By the time I returned home, in February of 2008, I had a new love for photography. Lee Cunningham and I, who had met through Jeff Nelson, had been good friends for years. Within 6 months of being home I had become the primary photographer for Lee’s clothing and design company, Dominikat. Over the next year I made myself available to Lee’s company as well as Josh Martinez’s company, Synthetic Productions. The experience I gained over this time allowed me to hone and perfect my shooting techniques.
In June of 2009 I joined Lee and Barry, Lee’s new hyperactive business manager, for what seemed to be a regular company meeting. It was there that they offered me a partnership in Dominikat. I quickly accepted their offer and became an official partner in the organized chaos. Dominikat is more than just having fun with friends in my spare time. It’s an ambitious effort to push something I strongly believe in and making it as big as possible. We will conquer, be prepared…
Barry Dunne is an Omaha Ne, native who has experience in marketing, promotions, and management. Barry specializes in finding niche markets and setting up marketing campaigns for up and coming companies that have little or no budget.
Some of the businesses that Barry has helped are Elite Performance Gym (which he serves as marketing director and student services), Hardcore Fitness Academy, and the rock group The Suicide Angels.
Barry came across the work of Lee when he was invited to a local Goth Night. Barry found Lee’s work to be intriguing and began reading about different sub-culture genres. Through a series of conversations Barry found out that Lee was in need of business support team and offered his services. It was through this association that Barry came across the work of Scott. It was mutually agreed between Lee and Barry that Scott should be a part of the company and thus asked him to join. From there was the basis of Dominkat in it’s current form.
Known to take unusual bets Barry survived surfing down a pyroclastic flow after the National Geological Association bet he couldn’t do it. Controversy arose out of the bet when Barry wiped out near the end of the run and was covered by the flow. He was dug out some months later totally nude, due to his clothes being incinerated, and somewhat groggy due to his low blood sugar. When Barry went to collect his winnings the society claimed that Barry was technically disqualified since he wiped out during his run. Barry used to harbor quite a bit of resentment towards the association for squelching on their bet but, has since relented due to the fact that he did not want to encourage people to try and mimic his awesomeness and get injured in the process.
Some of the businesses that Barry has helped are Elite Performance Gym (which he serves as marketing director and student services), Hardcore Fitness Academy, and the rock group The Suicide Angels.
Barry came across the work of Lee when he was invited to a local Goth Night. Barry found Lee’s work to be intriguing and began reading about different sub-culture genres. Through a series of conversations Barry found out that Lee was in need of business support team and offered his services. It was through this association that Barry came across the work of Scott. It was mutually agreed between Lee and Barry that Scott should be a part of the company and thus asked him to join. From there was the basis of Dominkat in it’s current form.
Known to take unusual bets Barry survived surfing down a pyroclastic flow after the National Geological Association bet he couldn’t do it. Controversy arose out of the bet when Barry wiped out near the end of the run and was covered by the flow. He was dug out some months later totally nude, due to his clothes being incinerated, and somewhat groggy due to his low blood sugar. When Barry went to collect his winnings the society claimed that Barry was technically disqualified since he wiped out during his run. Barry used to harbor quite a bit of resentment towards the association for squelching on their bet but, has since relented due to the fact that he did not want to encourage people to try and mimic his awesomeness and get injured in the process.