Designer Spotlight – KUNG KATHERINE

Going to college at a school such as FIT I was constantly surrounded by the most talented young men and women of our generation. It has been a great thrill to see those I had/have friendships with become so successful in their chosen fields. It gives me even greater joy when I see friends succeed in their own businesses. I met fashion designer Katherine Kung on an evening out towards the end of my 2nd semester at FIT. It was a warm spring evening where some of our mutual friends invited us out for a night out on the town starting at a local Meatpacking/Chelsea establishment that no longer exists – Manor! We hit it off right away dancing and talking fashion! I always knew this one would do great things with her talents … and I was right! Here is a little interview I conducted with Katherine for you to get to know what goes into the heart, hand and mind of this young brilliant designer of the label Kung Katherine!

THE INTERVIEW

DS: Where did you grow up?

KK: Hong Kong till the age of 15, then Massachusetts (for boarding school); Moved to NYC right after that.

DS: Did you always want to be a fashion designer, if not what was it you wanted to be when you grew up?

KK: I always knew I would become a fashion designer, for a while I thought I might become a painter.

DS: Where did you go to college and major in?

KK: Went to School of Visual Art for the Fine Art; then after a year, I decided to transfer to Fashion Institute of Technology for Fashion Design

DS: What are you inspired by when you design?

KK: All kinds of things and event; depends on the moment. In general I find NYC and New Yorkers to be very inspirational.

DS: Where does your creativity stem from?

KK: Fine Arts

DS: A past experience that catapulted your career?

KK: My time at Oscar de la Renta was very valuable, I learned so much and had the best time.

DS: Past internships?

KK: Donna Karen, Reem Acra

DS: What is your design process?

KK: Probably very similar to all the other designers: Gather inspiration to create my mood board, sketches after sketches (while I source for fabric); the most important step is developing patterns and samples (Turning the 2Ds into real 3Ds form is truly fascinating) 

DS: Favorite designers you looked up to as a budding designer?

KK: Haider Ackermann and Giorgio Armani and their life stories.

DS: Why Kung Katherine instead of Katherine Kung?

KK: To honor my heritage/background – Chinese place their surname before their first name.

DS: Favorite looks from your most recent collection

KK: This is fairly tough one!