The profiles continue of the twelve designers selected to complete in the Tamarac Square Fashion Project. The winner scores two tickets to New York Fashion Week this fall -- which would better than sex for most of the competitors.
Company name: Kandyce Kreations and the KMH8 Custom Design Studio
Years designing: 17
Bio: Kandyce Kreations began her career as a student at Cornell University. After graduating with a degree in Textiles, Apparel and Design, Kandyce moved west to Colorado. With experience as a sample maker for a local formalwear designer, she began offering her services as personal designer and custom clothier to the local community on a project-by-project basis. Currently Kandyce is developing her first women's wear line and a designer bridal and formalwear collection, which she looks forward to presenting in 2008.
What inspires you? (No fair saying everything; be specific.) Personality and energy of an individual is what really inspires me. Most often I am my own muse, designing for events, moods and occasions that are important to me. But when I get a new client I always pay attention to their hands. The place they tend to rub or cover the most is the place they tend to be the most self conscious about. If I can create something that will make them feel good about that spot or area, they are almost always very happy with everything else.
Favorite local boutique? Tallulah Jones. It's actually a children's store, but I love the colors and fun displays. They just remind me of people with lots of internal energy, optimism and imagination....all characteristics that tend to fade as we get older. But if you work at it, it can still be a part of adult life, too.
Favorite fabric? Cotton and cotton blends. Cottons can be dressed up and can be dressed down and can also be sewn for something fancy or something very practical. It depends on the design and the person who will ultimately wear whatever is being made. Most cottons are very easily cared for...I not a big fan of dry cleaning.
Favorite way to finish seams? Serging is my favorite way to finish seams if I'm not lining a garment. It's fast, easy and durable.
Prints or solids? I prefer solids just because I think they have more longevity or use in your overall wardrobe, but I do really enjoy a fabric with a design woven in. It gives your final garment texture and character. Prints make great accessories.
Dogs or cats? Cats are the best pets for sewers, I think, because they don't mind just laying at your feet for hours while you finish a project.
Kate Moss or Linda Evangelista? I have to say Linda Evangelista. When I was first becoming enamored with fashion and reading Vogue magazine, she was on every page, it seemed, along with Naomi Campbell. So for me it's kind of a nostalgic thing. Kate Moss is fine, but I will always associate her with that gaunt, waifish, androgynous phase of Calvin Klein. I didn't really get into that.
Favorite guilty pleasure? Sleeping in late and doing nothing all day. Every week I push it to the max Monday through Saturday. Work, commuting, phone calls, just keeping up with day-to-day obligations is draining. But Sundays are just for getting up and lounging, with no particular place to go or any particular thing to do. I will often spend time sewing, but it will almost always be something I really want to sew and not something I've been asked to sew. That way I don't get burned out.
Last book you read? "Do What You Love," by Martha Pullen. I've checked it out of the library a lot because she talks about turning your hobby into a business and career, which is what I want to do. The hard part has been how to turn my sewing into a career in Denver. A lot of people seem to think I should move to New York, Chicago or LA , but I really want to be successful in Denver. So Martha's book helps me keep that focus.
Red chili or green chile? Red Chile...I like spicy.
New York or L.A.? I've never been to L.A., but I've heard it's beautiful. New York is very big and bustling, but it's not what I would call beautiful...so I'd take a chance and choose L.A.
Chloe Dao or Jeffrey Sebelia? I'm not sure about this one. I can't say I am familiar with either.
Loose or tailored? I love tailored. Tailored doesn't always mean tight, but structured would be a good synonym. I just think tailored adds instant polish...and style to any figure.
Jacqueline Kennedy or Jackie Brown? Jacqueline Kennedy's gowns and style are a great source of inspiration to me. I have more pictures of her gowns than anyone else in my scrapbook...so I would have to choose her. However, I like the Jackie Brown attitude.
Town or country? I prefer the country, only because the city kind of feels caged in to me. I like to look out the window and not be looking into my neighbor's living room.
Silk charmeuse or silk shantung? Silk shantung
Couture or ready-to-wear? Ready-to-wear only because it's much more affordable.
Curvy or androgynous? Curvy.
Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan? Lindsey Lohan. If I got to choose, I'd be a redhead over a blonde any day -- more exciting, I think.
Michael Kors or Zac Posen? Michael Kors...again a nostalgic thing. I remember Michael Kors before he was big, and his designs were distinctive compared to everything else that was around when he first emerged.
Jeans or slacks? Jeans. They are more versatile and practical.
Bill Ritter or John Hickenlooper? John Hickenlooper.
Escalade or Prius? Prius...must be fuel efficient.
Vogue or W? Vogue, you can't fit those W magazines in your purse easily.
Favorite current couture designer? Oscar De La Renta
Favorite past couture designer? Oscar De La Renta
Sleek or volume? Volume.
Form or function? Function
Favorite place to travel for inspiration? The library
Favorite place to travel for fabric? People's garage sales. You'd be surprised at the finds one can get at a barn sale, too.
Polkadots or camouflage? Polkadots always stand out.
Pretty or edgy? Pretty
Heidi Klum or Tim Gunn? Tim Gunn
