Before reading it, please, find out, that Kate just got the top prize in a national fashion design competition called “Be Discovered: Design a Dress.”  Kate’s dresses and her sketches are marvelous. I just can’t take my eyes off them. You can find them here. 

By the way, this victory was not an easy one, more than 450 designers sent their sketches. The competition was tough, but Kate managed to win and we can enjoy her dresses and words…   

Angel Grotton (AG):  A couple of words about yourself (your bio).

Kate Spray (KS): I grew up in Newark, OH and then went to college at Kent State University for fashion design.  I graduated Cum Laude in May 2006 and moved to Philly for a job in fashion.

AG: You are a winner, how do you feel about that?

KS: I’m very excited!!!!!!  It’s a tremendous honor to have such accomplished professionals from the design field say your dress is #1 and get their feedback.

AG: Your life motto and dream?

KS: Learn your limitations – then ignore them. You have to keep pushing your own boundries.  My dream would be to own my own business someday and work with my twin sister.

AG: How did you get into fashion? And why?

KS: Growing up I have always been into artsy things – painting, sketching, jewelry making, beading, etc.  I’ve tried a lot of mediums, starting from crayons as a kid.  I was actually looking through a box of old artwork that my twin sister and I had done as a child and some of the earliest ones were just a single crayon scribble on a piece of paper. I guess back then that was considered a masterpiece!  I actually didn’t decide to go into fashion until I was in college.  It seemed to be the one thing that I hadn’t tried, but the one thing that really clicked.

AG: Your favourite fashion designer and style.

KS: I must say that I love the dramatic flair of Alexander McQueen & Nicolas Ghesquiere, while at the same time I love love love the colors and beauty of Matthew Willamson & BCBG Max Azria.

AG: Do you think of fashion as a business or just a hobby?

KS: It’s a combination of both.  To me, it’s a business in that it’s how you learn, grow and expand your career and knowledge.  But I also love to make clothing on the side just for fun to see what I can come up with.

AG:  Main source of your inspiration?

KS: I get inspired a lot by nature.  The earth has produced so many beautiful and visually stimulating creatures and aspects, that that particular realm has a lot of pull with me when it comes to designing. It’s so hard to look around you or look at a completely foreign country and not be inspired by something.

AG: What qualities a person needs to be a fashion designer?

KS: Determination, creativity, and the ability to think ahead.  There will always be people who are going to pass you over or not like what you’re
doing, and at times you might not feel like you’re good enough.  But you have to keep believing that one day you will reach your goal, and be ready & willing to work your ass off to get there!!

AG: Your everyday style is…

KS: Very put together yet casual.  My #1 objective is to be comfortable with my own sense of fashion.

AG: What can you recommend those wanting to be fashion designers?

KS: Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Continuous learning is a huge part of being able to succeed with any ambitions you may have.  Also – make industry contacts!!

It was a real pleasure to talk to Kate, I wish her good luck and success!!! )))

Christian Lacroix (date of birth – 16th of May 1951, place of birth – France and astrological sign – Taurus). Childhood of the future clothes design genius went in a rather exciting way, it was so multisided – the Camargue beaches, Gallo-Roman ruins and WWII bombings, various opera festivals, museums exhibitions, different books. He adored Oscar Wilde and the Beatles, to his beloved cities belonged: Venice and Barcelona. But, Christian studied at the University of Montpellier. Later he goes on with his studies and moves to Paris, he was aimed to become a museum curator.

But, everything has changed greatly with the appearing of the following people in Christian Lacroix life. First of all, a beautiful woman – Franoise, she became his muse, his wife, his inspiration, namely she made him draw and let him in the secrets of Paris. Jean-Jacques Picart – became his supporter and advisor (he was a press attache to several designers and Fashion Houses) and moreover, Jean found Christian a job at Hermes.

Since 1981 he started working for Jean Patou House and even was put in charge of Haute Couture (that days, some people tends to the point of view, that Haute Couture will die very soon).  But, the two designers made a success and year by year were gaining popularity and in January 1987 even got an award from the CFDA in New York. Today, he and his fashion house (which is located private in a mansion at 73) is one of the most popular in France and has more than 60 points of sale. Christian also makes costumes for theatre performances.

Vision of fashion

What we can say about his clothes? Bright, interesting, brilliant? It is so trite, so usual. But, as to his fashion vision, it is so gentle, I mean he treats past with respect , also, his collections are influenced by contemporary art, in his haute couture clothes, we can see vivid colours, free design, clothes made in ethnic and baroque style, combination of various fabrics. Lacroix makes everything, that can make us look more beautiful: sun-glasses, jewellery, shoes, leather products and bags. As to fragrances, I adore Bazar (it was made in 2002), orange bottle is for women. It is a floral fragrance, sensual and sexual. Contains notes of apricot, orris flowers and nectarine.