Interview with Kathy Wilson!

I was recently lucky to secure an interview with the very busy Kathy Wilson, who launched her first line in 2009. She currently lives in Brooklyn, and handles the business side of things from NYC. She specializes in bespoke clothing, which is another term for custom-made-to-order.

Me:  Kathy, I am very excited about catching up with you, your designs have captured something quite unique and they display the quality and skill that fills me with confidence and appreciation for your craft. So tell me a bit about your work?

 Kathy: "My atelier launched after I designed a jacket for Stevie Wonder that he wore to the President Obama's first White House Correspondents' Dinner. I am a menswear and womenswear designer who started on red carpet pieces for celebrities under Richard Tyler Couture.  I love doing gowns and suits but after researching where the market was moving, I decided to launch a contemporary line during my participation in a reality show called "All On The Line with Joe Zee" for Sundance Channel."

 Me: I always love hearing about a designer's sacred space of creativity- would you tell us about your atelier, what is the space you work in like?

 Kathy: "I design out of my home studio in Brooklyn. I sketch and drape on my dress forms here.  Then I get my samples done and take sales appointments out of my showroom in New York's garment district."

 Me: What made you want to make your designs bespoke?

 Kathy: "My introduction to bespoke clothing came from my first job at Richard Tyler.  It was where I learned how to measure and make beautiful clothes inside and out."

 Me: Beautifully said, I am really passionate about helping people become more confident and savvy dressers, I believe bespoke is something people are beginning to appreciate more an more. In terms of your work what are the most pressing challenges you face in this current time?

Kathy: "I find that Americans are all about sales.  Black Friday and getting a great deal has programmed people to only buy things on discount.  It turns people in hoarders instead of people that love things that they can hold onto and resell later on."

Me: Yes! That is the reality, it seems a transformation of peoples thinking is what is needed, one genuine item at a time. The thing I find the biggest difference with bespoke as opposed to mass produced, is the relationship. The recession probably didn't help this attitude. Suddenly you have a relationship with the person making your garment, I am curious, how do you personally work with your clients?
Kathy : "I generally have clients that see my work and then make request for a suit or a dress.  Then I ask them what their budget is because I want to make sure I go under budget.  I proceed by asking them what they like and don't like about their body.  I ask about fabrics, colors, cuts, and then I take their measurements.  I create three sketches and then they get to pick which one they want to make.  Sometimes, they make all of them."

Me:  Who would you really like to dress in your designs?

  Kathy: "My dream client is Angelina Jolie because she is a beautiful person on the inside as well as on the outside.  That’s my ideal client in general.  I want to dress people that make a difference in the world in a positive way."