Houston Designer Archives - LAFashionsnob.com

KisaKisa Clutches Create Buzz Among Houston’s Fashionable Set

Oct 03 2016

Kisa Williams’ round clutches have the fashionable crowd in Houston buzzing. Williams launched her brand- KisaKisa in 2015 and creates round statement clutches in a variety of prints and colors. She has an intense passion for what she does, and pours her heart into her work. Every clutch is handmade in Houston. I very recently commissioned her to do a custom piece for me, inspired by cactus, the desert, and the Southwest. I just received my bag and OHMIGOODNESS…. she NAILED it! I just can’t sing enough praise for her talent and an eye for something DIFFERENT!

Below are photos of the handbag in the desert. I thought it was only fitting, as desert and cacti/Southwest go hand-in-hand…

KisaKisa Cactus Clutch, made in Houston, Southwest print, desert, mountains

LAFashionsnob: Tell me a little about yourself…

Kisa: I’m from Austin, Texas. I moved to Houston in 2001 when I transferred with my job, Houston Board of Realtors. I can remember sitting on my mom’s bed in my PJs, watching her get dressed. It was like an art form. She had pride in the way she looked. Everything was perfect, from her hose, to her lipstick that matched her handbag and shoes. I can remember her having so much jewelry; and she would allow me to try it on and play dress up. That is where my love of accessories was born. Since I was a sick child, she made sure I had other activities to do besides going outside to play. So she drowned me in markers, colored paper, glue, and glitter; and I had the big pack crayons with the sharpener on the side. I can remember I had a Scooby Doo coloring book. I felt so sad for them [the characters] because they were in the same outfits all the time. So I colored Velma Dinkley’s outfit different, I made her turtleneck purple with small pink and yellow flowers. Her A-line skirt was boring, so I colored it black and white polka dots. Her socks matched the yellow flowers in her sweater. I also gave her gold glitter shoes.

I decided to go back to school late in my life, my 40’s. I have had many other jobs: real estate, nanny, clerical, and I was even a foster mom for awhile. I felt like I had a creative side, but just didn’t know how to express it. HCC [Houston Community College] showed me how to tap into my creative side and do something spectacular. I owe everything to them. The professors not only teach you, but they mentor you as well. I’m not a number, I’m KISA. I can remember sitting across the table from my professor at Chili’s on 59, and pulling out my badly made sample handbag to show her. She was like, ‘OMG I love it!’ She advised me on the size of the bag and other minor changes that I made.

LAFashionsnob: Speaking of handbags, what inspired you to start making the clutches?

Kisa: I have always been a handbag girl. I would often be asked, “Where did you get that bag?” The first chance I got, I took a handbag class with Professor Ken Simmons at HCC, and that is where it all started. I took a very simple concept and made it my own. I owe a lot to Simmons. I’m going to name a bag after him.

LAFashionsnob: Why are the clutches in the shape that they are?

Kisa: I did know at first why I was drawn to the circle, but while having lunch with a close friend- Sarah Shah, she pointed out to me that the circle is the shape of a sickle cell. I was born with Sickle Cell Anemia, the disease causes my red blood cells to be in the shape of a sickle. When the bag is open, it is the shape of a normal blood cell. There is no cure for the disease… YET. I hope to being awareness and raise money with a signature red bag.

LAFashionsnob: What makes your handbags unique?

Kisa: My bags are unique because they are circles, and made out of fabric, not leather. I was so tired of seeing square and rectangular shaped bags. I wanted to do something different. I mix colors and fabrics in a unique way, something different than black and brown.

LAFashionsnob: Where can we find your handbags?

Kisa: www.kisakisafashion.com, @kisakisafashion, Pinterest, and Mio Boutique on Westheimer in Houston.

KisaKisa clutch, fashion, style, Houston made clutch

Steve Guthrie – When Contemporary Meets Vintage

Jul 21 2016

I first met Houston designer- Steve Guthrie during a Kaleidoscope meeting not so long ago. I had really admired his classic design aesthetic and strong desire to keep manufacturing local.

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / black cape

** Black Cotton/Lycra Pique Cape by Steve Guthrie **

Guthrie, a native Texan and part Chickasaw, had always been inspired by the women in his family. These women were seamtresses, costume makers, and boutique owners. From an early age (and thanks to his fashion-savvy genes), he was constructing his own designs. Years later, he studied fashion design at Houston Community College, followed by continuing his design and construction education at Academy of Art University.

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / dress

** Silver Jacquard with Black Cotton Pique Shift Dress with Ruffle Placket (similar) by Steve Guthrie **

Steve made his official debut as a designer in 2009, under the brand name- 4th Ward. It was during that time that he created custom cocktail and formal wear for local and national clientele. He focused on creating one-of-a-kind pieces that were made from alternative and renewable fabrics, but were also practical and wearable. Fast forward to Black Friday 2015- he debuted his contemporary womenswear that we know and love today.

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / crop top / pants

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / crop top

** Black Cotton Pique High-Waist Cigarette Pants + Crop Top by Steve Guthrie **

Steve further explains his brand, “My garments are staples that augment any woman’s wardrobe. They are also made to fit real women, not just smaller sizes. My inspiration comes from the women in my life, both past and current. Though the overall aesthetic hovers around the 1950s and 60s, my goal is to create timeless silhouettes and garments that women want to wear over and over. Most of the designs are meant to span more than one season.The fabrics are selected so that they can be worn fall and spring, for spring and summer, etc. They should be part of each person’s own fashion statement, not just the way they are styled by me. The silhouette is classic. The fabrics standout because of their textures and patterns. The textiles are light and breathable and are selected because they allow women in tropical climates / southern US cities to obtain fall and spring fashions that are more complex through layering.”

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / pencil skirt

** Gold Chenille Jacquard High-Waist Pencil Skirt by Steve Guthrie **

Why Houston (instead of a major fashion city, like LA or New York)? “In 2014, I worked as an assistant designer for Mansoor Scott, a contemporary womenswear line based in San Francisco. The manufactured garment industry made an impression on me and as a result, my focus has turned to reproducing a similar venture here in Houston. My goal is to produce well-made, classic garments using local resources that will continue to grow the fashion industry in Houston, Texas. As a professor in the Houston Community College COE for Consumer Arts and Sciences
(Fashion Design and Merchandising) it’s important for me to help build a fashion industry in Houston that will allow my students to thrive as designers, sewers, merchandisers, etc. locally – without the need to move away.”

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / floral print skirt

** Shorts with sheer Floral Print Skirt Overlay by Steve Guthrie **

My collaboration with Steve’s brand proves that you can also mix in vintage or get creative by mixing in pieces from your own closet. I loved everything that I wore, especially the cape, cigarette pants, and pencil skirt. I was easily able to layer when needed, and when not to. I also felt that his clothing really didn’t need a lot of accessorizing either, the garments just ‘spoke’ by themselves. This first collection was to me, a huge success, and I’m excited to see what the Steve Guthrie brand does next!

Steve Guthrie / Houston brand / Texas designer / pencil skirt / cape

** Gold Chenille Jacquard Cape + Silver Jacquard High-Waist Pencil Skirt (similar) by Steve Guthrie **

** Images by Sofia Emm, Hair and Make-Up by Faith Haller **

The garments are sold ONLINE and through selected
boutiques via trunk shows and pop-ups.

A Leap of Style – A Vision of Ankara Prints

Jul 03 2016

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “take a leap of faith” before… Well, that’s just what designer Karissa Lindsey did when she first started her locally manufactured line- A Leap of Style. “It’s also how I want my customers to feel when they’re wearing each piece. I want them to feel as though they’ve taken a style risk on some level. The name “A Leap of Style” embodies that fully.”

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

The Boundless Infinity Romper (similar print) / Ethnic Print Head Wrap in Dreamweaver

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

It all began when Karissa was growing up. She goes on to further explain, “As a kid, I wavered between wanting to be a fashion designer, a writer, or the next Oprah Winfrey. My mom loved to shop, and some of my fondest memories with her were taking shopping trips to the local mall or out of town. That, combined with my love for creating led me wanting a career in design. I got “off track” in high school though when I read somewhere that most designers didn’t make a lot of money, so I put that dream on the back burner and ended up pursuing careers that were equally unlikely to make me a millionaire. I started pursuing design again in 2013.”

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

There was a time when she went through a rough patch, during which she went to counseling and eventually had her faith renewed. “The more my faith in Christ grew, the more confident I became; and I wanted something that would reflect that new confidence on the outside – African prints, or ankara, are the perfect reflection of that with all of the bold colors and designs. I started out just designing a dress for my birthday, and a couple of friends encouraged me to sketch out a collection. I started sketching again, which was really freeing, and I bought a $50 sewing machine on eBay and got to work. A few months later I had a “line” and A Leap of Style was launched. It’s crazy to think how far the company has come from those initial days.”

Karissa’s inspiration stems from her admiration of vintage fashion- mostly the 50s and 70s. “The silhouettes from the 50s were just so flattering to the female form, and I always strive for flattering. And the 70s were just such a fierce time in fashion – I’m currently inspired by everything from the caftans that were so popular in that decade to the disco fashion. I love recreating these silhouettes in African-inspired textiles.”

Zuwa Maxi Skirt in Cobalt Maze / A Leap of Style Crop Top

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand / maxi skirt / crop top

“At the core of A Leap of Style, our goal is to empower and inspire women through fashion. That means empowering and inspiring the women who wear our pieces, as well as the women who work behind the scenes to make the clothing and make the brand “work”. I’m expanding the team and always on the lookout for women who want to use their talents with a creative startup – if anyone is interested, they can email us at:[info@aleapofstyle.com]! Be sure to check out the website, where we’ll be adding new styles after July 4th. Also, check us out on social media, as we are constantly updating our Instagram and Facebook pages. Right now, on the blog, we feature bloggers wearing pieces from A Leap of Style, but soon I’ll be blogging more personal pieces of inspiration, advice, and such from my journey as a designer. Our team is growing, but I want to maintain a personal touch and I’m a writer at heart too, so I’m excited for that.”

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

Embellished Truths Collection Birds of a Feather Shorts

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

I had heard of A Leap of Style through social media and numerous friends. I was thrilled when I had the chance to finally meet Karissa at one of her recent pop-up shops. For this shoot, I chose five pieces that I felt really conveyed my aesthetic. I loved being able to mix ‘n match the prints, as they all seem to work well with each other. When it came time to accessorize the looks, I added my own unique flair: vintage bracelets, oversize sunglasses, necklaces, and belt.

LAFashionsnob / A Leap of Style / Ankara / African prints / outfit / Houston brand

** Images by Sofia Emm **

Tag - Houston Designer