Ten Minutes with KahriAnne Kerr

Justin may have brought sexy back, but Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr has made sexy utterly wearable.  Above-the-knee hemlines and off-center zippers bring the sizzle, while details like contrast piping and bold buttons keep the look sophisticated. And just to kick it up a notch, lines of dainty studs add just the right rock-and-roll punctuation! What I love best about this line is that you can add dark tights and a long cardi to go office-appropriate then trade in your 9-5 accessories for some bold bangles and sculptural heels for instant cocktail chic. Read on to get the inside scoop on this sassy stylista.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Kahri by Kahri Anne Kerr is . . .

KahriAnne: Hip, funky, rocker chic.

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal customer?

KahriAnne: A rebellious kick-ass chick.

Oligoville: How’d you end up a designer?

KahriAnne: I never liked anything at my local mall growing up, so I would buy cheap stuff and reconstruct it, and that’s how it started. I kept with designing because it’s easier to sell than paintings, besides the fact that I love it and I realized I was better at fashion than fine art during a freshman drawing class. Damn, I hate perspective drawing!

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

KahriAnne: I started my business back in 2002 when I was 19 years old back in Iowa. I sold clothing throughout college and more officially have been designing my label Kahri by KahriAnne Kerr since 2005.

Oligoville: Say a little bit about the embellishment that keeps repeating on the fall collection. It looks like little dots.

KahriAnne: I think the dots you are talking about are small studs in various metals and sizes.  Each stud is put in by hand and gives each piece a more funky rocker chick look.

Oligoville: I also like that your collections have names. What’s the dish behind the name for Fall 09?

KahriAnne: The Fall 2009 Collection was inspired by the line “words left unspoken” in the song “Precious” by Depeche Mode. That line and song pretty much just summed up my life at the time I was designing the collection. Many of my collections have a personal connection as an undertone that most people don’t catch.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

KahriAnne: I’m mostly inspired by music. The first thing I do when designing a new collection is pick out the music for the theme.  I’ll listen to lots of stuff, and then I’ll just say “Yep, that’s it”.  I like a lot of old school music, 60′s, 70′s, 80′s, 90′s.  Anything but country!

Oligoville:  What’s 24 hours like in your life?

KahriAnne: Well, right now I’m taking some accessories design classes at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) so it’s keeping me busy.  I’m working on learning the ins and outs of handbag and shoe design so I can eventually add those categories to my company. So tomorrow’s schedule is get up at 8am, shower, take a 45-minute subway ride to school, class from 11am-1pm, go fabric shopping, class from 2pm-4pm, 45-minute subway ride home, eat something, email, sew, sew, sew, sketch, watch Jimmy Fallon, go to sleep, wake up at 6am for 8am class on Friday.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

KahriAnne: My closet is all past season Kahri samples, so all I wear is my own line.  I’m wearing Kahri Fall 09 collection right now.  Okay, I lie, right this very second I’m actually wearing an old t-shirt and knit shorts, which are my comfy work clothes.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag right now?

Kahri: Well, a hell of a lot of stuff most days!  Seriously, my shoulders are going to die.  I’ve got pens, pencils, exacto knife, rubber cement, oaktag, folder, fabric, leather, ruler, hammer, the book “What is the What” (for my long subway rides), wallet, phone, etc.

Oligoville:  Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned.

KahriAnne: Well, when I first started I had no idea exactly how much it would all cost, and it’s pretty freakin’ expensive. So having enough money too keep pumping out new collections and pay the bills is difficult. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, like there was a hurricane the same day as my fashion show last year, which understandably kept some of my guests home. Sometimes buyers don’t pay or stylists ruin your clothes or lose them, or web designers steal your money, etc. etc.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

KahriAnne: Seeing random people wearing your clothing is pretty cool. Just being able to do what I love to do and not being homeless is reward enough for me. And it’s great when teenagers or aspiring designers look up to me and ask me for advice.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

KahriAnne: Well, I don’t know how long it will take, five years or two or 10, but I’vegot big big plans for my line. For starters, I’m starting a new lower priced diffusion line for Fall 2010 called KA by KahriAnne Kerr.  Also, I’ve got a new collection of hats and jewelry for Spring 2010. Then eventually handbags, then shoes. Hopefully I’ll have my own flagship boutique in NYC open and thriving in the next five years.

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

KahriAnne: Don’t ever give up, and be very passionate about your craft. Only do it if you absolutely love it. And for the love of god, be original. It also doesn’t hurt to have a rich dad or supermodel/celebrity friends, of which I have neither, of course.

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

KahriAnne: The Runaways, The Velvet Underground, The Pretenders, A Camp

Oligoville: Any last words?

KahriAnne: Be Rebellious! Oh, and buy my clothes!  Available at www.kahri.com, of course!

Ten Minutes with Dori Csengeri

Give me a needle and thread, and I can maybe sew on a button. Maybe. Give Dori Csengeri a needle, thread, and some gemstones and this former textile designer will whip you up necklaces, rings, earrings, and more that are positively swoon-worthy. Dori uses embroidery techniques to create intricate loops, swirls, and whirls that form tactile backgrounds for a rainbow of sparkly gems, including Swarovski crystals. Her unique understanding of patterning means that Dori’s jewelry is complex but never over-the-top. In other words, that opulent necklace with the hand embroidered clasp will work just as well with an evening gown as with your favorite slouchy top and skinny jeans. Just don’t blame us if every time you wear one of Dori’s pieces, everyone just wants to reach out and touch you. Here’s more from  the designer.

Oligoville: In five words or less, Dori Csengeri is. . .

Dori: . . . something different

Oligoville: How would you describe your ideal  customer?

Dori: While designing, I can envision the woman who will wear my work. She has a defined taste and personality. I try to create for her something different, fresh and exciting, so she can play with me the game of fashion and participate in the creation of her own image. My jewelry presents the choice for every woman who does not want to blend into the background.

Oligoville: How’d you end up a designer?

Dori: During my studies of textile design, my dream was of becoming an important and interesting designer. Over the years, I was bothered by the fact that my textile designs “leave” me and that I have no control over the way the end-user sees them or uses them. My prints were scattered all over, in many countries and were never presented as one mass, as a collection of serious design work. Designing and making textile-based jewelry was the way to expressing and to fulfilling my dream.

Oligoville: How/when did you launch your brand?

Dori: My brand was actually launched in 1992, when we started working internationally. I started small, with one assistant. Today I have 25 embroidery artists to assist me.

Oligoville: How did you come up with the idea of doing embroidered jewelry?

Dori: After years of practicing textile design, we moved to Paris, where I studied painting at the Academie de Port-Royal. It was a period of exploration; I was looking for new ways to express myself. Among other things, I was experimenting with collages from textile materials. This is how the soutache cords landed on my desk. From there on, the road to jewelry was fairly short. I started with small color compositions in textiles, which evolved into my first creations, beautiful lapel broaches. With time and experience, I developed a needlework technique which is suitable to the creation of the small or larger pieces of passementerie that are used to make my jewelry. More important, the technique could be [taught]. Today, at my Studio, I have a team of experienced embroidery artists; some have been with me for more than 10 years.

Oligoville: Who and/or what inspires you?

Dori: Inspiration is not a button you press and hoopla, there it is. It is the accumulation of memories and experiences “burned onto the disk.” There is Art, scenery, markets, travel and thelittle things that catch and hypnotize the imagination. When I design a new collection, it is the new colors of the season that turn me on. Especially, new materials that come to my desk, but also older ones, from my endless stashes, that have suddenly seemed to mature for the collection.

Oligoville:  What’s 24 hours like in your life?

Dori: At 6:30 am I take a walk [for an hour or more] in the park near our home. Then the day starts, toward 9 am. with an espresso and croissant at our nearby corner café on the boulevard. These are the quality moments of the morning that we share with my husband and partner, Giora. Though we work together, we do it at two different locations, so we rarely see each other during the day. The day is usually related to the atelier, design, customers, suppliers, materials etc.
Evening is time with my friends, or to see a movie or a concert or modern ballet, or for a quiet moment at home watching TV or reading.

Oligoville: What’s in your closet? What are you wearing right now?

Dori: Right now I’m wearing a bathing suit, slacks, t-shirt and a straw hat; I’m on my way to the beach, a few minutes walk from home. Otherwise, I collect clothes. I don’t shy away from markets and flea markets. . .I wear [clothes] with a twist, such as a man’s tie, Oldstar baskets in various colors, scarves, my jewelry, and I love hand-held fans.

Oligoville: What’s in your bag (or backpack or satchel) right now?

Dori: Right now, it’s a beach towel, sun-block cream, mineral water, and the weekend’s papers and magazines.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Seeing my jewelry shown and worn worl wide, across geography and cultures. Maybe, a visit to Japan, to launch a new collection and meet with ladies who are real fans of mine, was one of the most inspiring events of my career. It dawned on me how many friends I have earned through my jewelry.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years.

Dori: Do I have to think that far ?

Oligoville: Any advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Dori: Have a dream and follow it through!

Oligoville: What’s on your playlist right now?

Mozart’s “Requiem,” the Gotan Project, and Leonard Cohen’s CD from his show in London, which, incidentally, I will have the opportunity to see live next week in Budapest.

Oligoville: Any last words?

Dori: Thank you, I liked your questions, I think they cover me pretty well. Say hello from me to your readers and the Oligoville community.

Ten Minutes with Shoe Designer Angeline Tournier

Cross edgy glamour with a quirky sense of humour and you end up with London designer Angeline Tournier’s museum-worthy line of footwear under her Angeline Tournier London brand. From studded leather on cartoon-wrapped platform wedges to slick embossed leather tennis shoes that go just a touch girly with embroidered hearts, Angeline’s shoes are that perfect something extra to lift any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary. Her palette of metallics and pop art fluorescents is perfectly on trend while the elegant silhouettes mean these shoes will be closet favorites for a long while. Here’s ten minutes with the Matthew Williamson alum.

Oligoville: Tell us about your brand and how it is different from your competition.

ANGELINE TOURNIER: Our shoes are cute, with a twist. Our signature shoes are the cartoon wedge (exhibited at the Cartoon Museum in London) and leather heart metallic tennis shoes. They are comfortable to wear: the heels are not too high and the toes are rounded, and they come in sizes 5 to 13.
Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

ANGELINE: I loved shoes because I couldn’t buy any beautiful shoes in my size growing up. (I’m an 11.5.) I started off with a career i law, but after seven odd years, I finally followed my dream, left law, studied shoe making at the London College of Fashion (Cordwainers), then gained more experience by working for U.K. designer Matthew Williamson and in a shoe factory in London making Vivienne Westwood shoes.

Oligoville: What’s your design inspiration?

ANGELINE: Mainly color and texture and the leather itself. I visit Italy twice a  year to choose my leathers. I usually have an idea in my mind of what shoe I want to design for the following seasons, but often seeing and feeling the leather itself gives me new ideas on color combinations or a vision of an entirely new shoe. I don’t work the traditional way with mood boards and abstract inspiration. Designing is an ongoing process. I always think about shoes and how to improve them.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day for you.

ANGELINE: Running the business has now become a fairly smooth process. I have a production manager in Portugal who visits the factory daily to ensure my designs are interpreted correctly and the shoes are made on time. I speak with or e-mail her daily. With digital cameras, explaining small changes is easy. I spend every day receiving orders and dispatching them, plus doing all the business stuff and designing.

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style.

ANGELINE: Casual but stylish. I like wearing flats, for example, our metallic tennis shoes with jeans, a t-shirt, and an interestingly cut jacket from a small, London-based designer.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned from that.

ANGELINE: I ordered far too much stock the first two seasons. (We work two seasons in advance.) I had to find more storage space, and was left with large quantities of some styles at the end of  the season, which I had to sell at very discounted rates.  Eventually I learned how to judge which might be the best selling styles, ordering more of those styles and smaller quantities of an experimental style.  Although sometimes I’m proved wrong! I also now know which sizes sell the best, and order greater quantities of those sizes.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

ANGELINE: Making something tangible, in contrast to drafting legal opinions. I also love working my own hours and for myself, and being able to raise a family and work.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years and some of the goals that you have for your brand.

ANGELINE: Keep on increasing sales and brand awareness.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

ANGELINE: You really have to love and believe in your product because there are hard times where only your self-belief gets you over a hurdle. You end up with more responsibility and work than when you’re just an employee. But you hopefully will be living your dream, or at least having a go at it.

Oligoville: What song never fails to make you happy?

ANGELINE: “California Dreaming” by The Mamas & the Papas, “F.E.A.R” by Ian Brown, and “Boom Shaka Laka” by Shaggy.

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