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!