Kathy LaDonna: Fashion's New Face

A while back I told you lovely muses that I helped with a fashion shoot. My friend, clothing designer (and hair stylist) Katherine McDermott put together a photo shoot to showcase her latest styles.

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Katherine's clothing style is better known as Kathy LaDonna--a set of bold, bright, one-of-a-kind pieces. This 26-year-old fashion design student was born in Jamaica and has had her hand in fashion for more than a decade, producing closets-full of hand-sewn clothing.

If she needs a dress for a party, she doesn't even think about stopping by her local boutique or department store. Instead, she finds her dress form and some fabric and puts a piece together in as little as 6 hours.

Not only did Kathy design these outfits, but she also styled each model's hair.
(she's the one not wearing a dress)

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Oh to Be a Muse: Where does the name Kathy LaDonna come from?
Kathy LaDonna: LaDonna is my middle name, and I hated it as a kid. In time I started to like it. It's actually my mom's middle name and my grandmother's middle name too.

Muse: How long have you been into fashion?

KL: In the 6th grade I made my first dress out of a pink sheet my mom threw out. It was my chance to really get fabric. My mom had this metallic fabric, and I made a pink overall dress with gold metallic in the middle. I actually wore it to school, and I wore it with pride. After that I would cut things and take them apart. I loved sewing.

My grandma used to manage a sewing factory in Jamaica. She taught me how to sew darts into my clothes.

Muse: You'll be graduating with a degree in fashion design from the Art Institute next year. What has going to school for design taught you?
KL: I learned how to go about things easier and look at the business side of fashion. Being in school cut my time in half--there are a lot of shortcuts. Before it took me a whole day to make a dress!

(this is my super awesome friend Anna)

Muse: I know you make clothes but you're also a hair stylist. Which do you prefer?

KL: If I had to pick one, I think I would pick clothes because when you mess up with clothes you can throw it away. Fabric gives you chances; hair doesn't. But I love them both. I'll see a hairstyle and automatically think of a dress that would go nicely with it--hair inspires my designs.

Muse: What kind of girl do you have in mind when you design?

KL: I have the outgoing girl in mind: the girl who doesn't mind standing out, or the girl who is kind of shy but who wants to stand out. Ultimately, I'm designing for anyone who likes my clothes.

Muse: What is your design aesthetic?
KL: A lot of designs are mistakes. I'm sure a lot of designers will say so. I like to do pieces that can be separated and worn to different places.

Muse: Who or what inspires you?
KL: I like thrift stores because I get a lot of my good jewelry there. I like to get vintage pieces. As far as designers go, I like Elie Saab and Roberto Cavalli. There are so many emotions in Roberto's clothes. But to be honest, I like everybody.

Elie Saab--Spring 2009 Couture Collection

When I go to New York, the girls there are so bold. They don't follow any trends, and I don't follow trends. They don't match--they just coordinate, and I love that. But Florida is perfect for me. The sky is always blue and that should put anyone in a good mood.

For more on Kathy's fashion, visit her website at Kathy LaDonna.

♥