Posts from ‘The Studio!’
Leaves
Nature has always been my greatest inspiration. Flowers in the summer and leaves in the Fall. It is so simplistic, but it returns to me every season and I never tire of these basic earthy themes. Here is a sampling of some land art I find beautiful (all done by a man named Nils) and some of the leaf embroidery we are working on for the current Fall 2010 collection.
These leaves will be appearing on our Fall pencil skirt. It is my new favorite skirt and I am super excited to introduce this cut as a recurring staple to the store.
The black and white feather appliqué is a perfect t-shirt for the graphically bold. The feathers are delicately placed at the neckline of the v-neck. (this photo is on it’s side)
The new Mystery jacket ($126) with tumbling red tulle leaves (pictured below).
Nature in red glory marching to the water. I don’t really know what this photo is about I just like the walking red flowers.
Frost on the leaves is coming sooner than some of us would like to think.
The doorway to Fall.
The collection in store offers some fashionable ways to get ready before it gets cold out!
Kat
I think I speak for all woman (and man) kind when I point out the extraordinary woman that Frida Khalo embodied. Her passion for art, love of animals, eye for beauty and color, as well as rebellious personality make her one of the most remembered and cherished artists of all time.
Why exactly? Because with every whim she followed her instincts and her heart. With every experience she grew stronger no matter how negative they may have been. Jotting entries down in her journal, creating oil paintings infused with wildlife and heartbreaking imagery – if there was one main theme behind her artwork it was authenticity and acceptance.
What I love the most about her (and draw the most inspiration from) is how she was never anyone other than herself. Through good and bad habits she had a “take all of me or nothing at all” approach to life. She was passionate. She never settled.
Katharina, one of the lovely creators of KL goodness (a specialist when it comes to sewing machine embroidery) reminds me so much of Frida. While she is very much her own person, there is a wild beauty within her that is so refreshing and strong, you can’t help but think of Frida’s spirit.
Frida’s portraits were another highlight of her perception of the world. She did not try to beautify herself on canvas (in fact I find her much more attractive in photographs), but instead looked reality right in the face (sans alteration) and made it astounding. As a woman, this takes some serious guts!!!
Frida is a big part of what the KL team accomplish every day. The boutique is full of trinkets and prints alike that mimic or fully resemble this icon.
Kat even has this stuffed doll on her bookshelf…
My personal fave?
The Classic Hardware Frida bracelet, available for $55 at the boutique (There are also Frida necklaces and earrings). When I wear mine not only do I get heaps of comments, but it reminds me to stay strong and stay true.
xox
view from the studio around 7pm
These are some of the sunsets I love. On the beach in Thailand, from the windows of my studio and playing with eyeshadow. I have attached a cheesy video that I love because it was my first introduction to make up as a playful artform using colors.
Kat
Last Sunday as you may already know, was the open house at the KL studio! Here is a beautiful picture story of how a Scarfette traveled all the way fresh from the KL merrow machine (courtesy of Miss Hanna) to a picnic out with the girls on Mont Royal!
Oh glorious friendship!
Thank you Keera and Co. for allowing these personal photo’s on the KL blog 
We love seeing the continuous passing on of love to our creations after they have left our home…
I love how honest and totally genuine these pics are… SO awesome!
Keera also makes her own clothing, so be sure to check out her beautiful local designs!
Welcome to a new week
xox
So this last weekends Design Montreal Open House was quite the success at the KL studio! Rushes of crowds, lots of kiddo’s, familiar faces and the lovely KL team inviting everyone in and explaining how the design process works!
Kat had also just gotten back from Thailand the night before! Amazing that the time difference didn’t seem to effect her optimistic and energetic energy . Welcome home lady!
Hanna stationed herself just outside the studio doors in front of the elevators and offered live demonstrations as to how the boutique’s signature Scarfettes are made… the best part? Visitors got to choose a fabric scrap and watch it transform before their eyes into a wearable accessory – for keeps!
All smiles this girl!
The KL team put wanderers to the textile test…
… and of course the studio was completely adorned with beautiful KL boutique favorites… umbrellas and tulle suspended from the ceiling, patterns on the wall, fabrics and handmade shoes propped on the window ledge…
Guests were invited to enter the inspiration process by viewing Katrin’s personal scrapbooks and favorite visual reads
All of the studio’s work tools were listed and presented on the draft table…
… and even a super duper adorable cupcake pincushion made an appearance!
Katrin printed out a whole lot of inspiration pics from her trip abroad… these are just teasers… beautiful textures, colors and designs were all tacked up on the bulletin board *yum*!
And some of the gorgeous guests!
Katharina gives the inside scoop…
… and Hanna entertains the young ‘uns!
This was an awesome event and it was so nice to see so many Montrealers jumping head first into the world of design!
Have a beautiful start to the week!
xox
Start your engines ladies and gentlemen cause on May 2nd 2010 Katrin will be opening her studio doors to the public to take an in-depth look at next seasons upcoming swatches and trends! There will also be a Scarfette tutorial… a look at how your favorite KL accessory is made in shop via rescued fabric scraps!
There are some of the cities greatest design influences putting their practices on display, so be sure to head over to the Design Montreal Open House site (right now por favor) and plan out what you want to see most! Times, dates, addresses, events and activities can all be found on the website… can’t wait (I know I’ll be there)!
Follow Katrin via facebook fanpage for reminders and updates on this and all future events
xox
Check out these beautiful plastic butterflies that Katrin is currently working with for a wedding dress order… they are going to be sewn onto the dress itself! Such a beautiful and colorful splash of color for a summertime wedding !
I want to order a bunch to keep for adorning cupcakes! What a great way to spruce up pretty much anything (and what’s even better is that they are reusable)!
Hope you enjoyed the sunshine of Easter weekend!
xox
Ever wonder what happens to those unusable strips of excess fabric? While many clothing companies may just toss them in the trash, Katrin and her team turn them into the beautiful signature KL Scarfette!
What in the world is a Scarfette you ask?
Scarfettes are some of the most playful and fun accessories you can wear around your neck, in your hair, on your favorite handbag, clipped into a brooch… really wherever you desire a little splash of color and excitement! The best thing is that since they are studio scraps you can match them to some of your favorite KL staples… bring out the print in your party skirt with a similar color Scarfette headband!
Here is Hannah merrowing the Scarfettes in fun thread color combos! No two Scarfettes are alike!
Giving lost fabric new lives… Vote Scarfette!
Have a beautiful weekend!
xox
A studio is a creative space where you must feel safe and free to flourish. Katrin’s studio is exactly that – a sanctuary where you can let your mind free… to create, to love to master… here is a look at the studio’s inspiration board, some of the artwork found in the office and the sayings and motivation that keep the positivity factor high and booming!
Have a beautiful Friday!
xox
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