Kris Cole; Self-Taught Fashion Designer Who Spoke Her Passion Into Existence

I’m from St. Louis where a lot of creatives are born. So many people with different gifts and talents. I got the opportunity to interview a fashion by the name of Kris Cole. She is a one-woman band and she is THE SHIT. Check out the interview I did with her on DELUX Mag.

Kris Cole is a self-taught fashion designer, who didn’t go to school for the physical aspect of designing. She was one of DELUX’s Emerging 30 under 30 last year. She could eye some of her measurements just by her instinct and she doesn’t follow trends. Kris believes that fashion is how you express yourself and a preference of how you chose to look. She’s had a passion for it since she was in 3^rd grade and now her passion has became her reality. DELUX got the chance to sit down with her to talk more about her upbringing, inspirations and where she see her brand going.

DELUX: How would you define fashion?

Kris Cole: I would define fashion just being surrounded by how someone carries themselves and express themselves and with what they see that matches. Fashion isn’t about trends and keeping up with other people. It’s about how you feel and a preference of how you like to look.

DELUX: Being a designer, I know it can be tough starting out and it take practice and patience to put together the right pieces. What got you into designing?

Kris Cole: I started designing in the third grade. My aunt had a needle pack in a bag ang gave it to me. With that, I started to sew school pictures to fabric, and I use to cut my mom’s shower curtains and bed sheets up and make them into stuff. In the 3^rd and 4^th grade, I was making pencil skirts and all sorts of stuff. As I got older, I started to figure out fabrics. I used to go to the library to get books, and practice whatever crafts I saw in those and from there, I got into the garments. I used to make clothes for my teachers in high school and I started my business at 19 with prom dresses. It’s been almost 6 years that I’ve been designing full time, outside of my regular job.

DELUX: Since starting your business, have you always had a niche for designing gown or do you try whatever idea someone gives you?

Kris Cole: I design everything for women. I don’t do menswear, but I design everything for women whether it’s gowns, swimsuits, weddings, birthday occasions, two-piece clubwear; I just specialize in all forms of womenswear.

DELUX: During the off season of prom, are you still as busy with making dresses or is prom season your busiest time?

Kris Cole: So, prom season is the busiest time but it’s also the time where I invest more into my craft because I’m always designing. When I’m out of prom season, I’m still designing all the time for personal orders like birthdays, special occasions, wedding and things like that.

DELUX: Have you ever thought about designing and making shoes?

Kris Cole: I haven’t thought about actually designing a shoe, but I am about to start a Kris Cole Edition shoe, so that’s coming soon.

DELUX: That’s dope! So, how do you stay current with fashions trends. I know you said fashion isn’t about trends and it’s about expressing yourself but how do you stay current with what’s going on?

Check out her response and the rest of the interview HERE

Follow her on IG @KrisColeTheBrand