Kimberly Hendrix, a fashion designer and resident of Palm Harbor, will be showcasing her newest collection next Saturday at Fashion Week Tampa Bay, a yearly event that showcases the design talents of Tampa Bay’s fashion finest.
Kimberly’s vintage–inspired designs, a line of sparkly, shiny, one-of-a-kind re-worked vintage pieces are a party girl’s dream. They’ve been spotted on hipster-cool celeb darlings like Zooey Deschanel and Juliette Lewis, and with her new, more affordable companion collection that she’ll be showing next week, real girls can soon be seen wearing them, too.
Hendrix says of her new collection, “My goal is to open people’s minds about what people can wear and when,” noting that sequined-covered clothes aren’t just for fancy soirees, but can be worn hanging out downtown, and maybe even to work.
We chatted with Kimberly earlier this week to find out a little bit more about what inspires her, and even got some expert tips on how to go vintage shopping the right way.
How has living in Florida influenced your designs?
Living in Florida has influenced my designs in a couple of ways. Mostly the weather and the casual personality of the people. I like to make resort wear and Florida is all about that. I love that I can make an extravagant beaded dress that could be worn alone or as easily over jeans or swimwear and be acceptable. I often throw sequined dresses over my jeans to go out.
What's your favorite thing about the Tampa Bay Fashion scene?
I think the enthusiasm of the people in fashion here in Tampa is fabulous. They are celebrating fashion in an entirely different way. I feel such positive feedback for what I do and I look forward to many collaborations with stylists, photographers and editors going forward. I am enjoying creating fashion as I always hoped to.
We know you love to reuse fabrics and old vintage items, are you doing anything else in terms of creating with sustainable materials?
Since moving to Florida two years ago, I have yet to go to the fabric store to purchase fabric for one of my couture pieces. Although I am always recycling every little thing in my creative life, I would also like to pursue a green, earth friendly method of production. I think that if I could find a way to give back some of the knowledge I have gained from my pursuit of fashion or if I could find a way to benefit a group of people in my production methods, this would be even better that simply recycling. This is how I could duplicate my methods of creating beauty out of what people had previously thought of as garbage.
Can you share any shopping secrets for all of us vintage fiends out there?
It is harder and harder to find good vintage pieces, and even harder to find a bargain on them. Being from the West Coast I was lucky to have started my collecting over 10 years ago when the possibilities were endless and shopping was treasure hunting. I do not want to give away all my shopping secrets, but I will share these three tips:
1) It is all about quality not quantity. Resale stores are full of mass production pieces that I would not have purchased new. Weed through all of that and look for items that were made well and made with natural materials like silk, linen or wool. Even if you do not like the color, with natural materials that is a simple fix.
2) Look for beaded items with interesting designs. I am drawn to anything unique, even if I do not know what I will be using it for.
3) Finally, do not go with the idea that you want something specific. You will probably be disappointed that you couldn't find it and while you were so focused on that one item you will have missed many other killer pieces. Just go out with an open mind and an open schedule, no expectations, you will find something fabulous to inspire you.
Kimberly Hendrix pieces are currently available in select stores in Los Angeles, Miami, and New York, and online in her Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/khendrix
For more on K. Hendrix Designs, check out: www.helloimfabulous.com
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2010.