By Lisa Picasso, Jayplay writer
La Vita Di Modo {The Fashion Life}
Photos: Shelly Horst
envy Kylie Grater. From design programs in London to crocheting in Africa, she is one of several emerging fashion designers in the area with pieces that are not only edgy and eclectic, but simply said very cool. With designs appearing in fashion shows like Lawrence's own "Detour" and "Daydream" productions in the past year, she and other young designers have their work showing up in the Lawrence and Kansas City fashion scene and are making a very distinctive mark.
Looking at Grater's creation of earrings made out of an innovative blend of feathers and recycled bangles, you would never suspect her to be a Kansas-raised girl who grew up on.a farm in Riley County. Her ascension into fashion design started when she studied metalsmithing at the University of Kansas. After a
thorough design program in London, Grater began to skillfully develop her craft. Later in her career back in Kansas, Grater decided to take a step away from college life and make a bold move to live in Zambia, in Africa for a
period of time. Working with HIV positive women in the community, Grater attended crocheting clubs and added another design concept to her growing list of talents.She was in fact able to sell some of the pieces back in Kansas and send the profits to the women in Africa. Impressed yet?
After realizing that fashion was taking a prominent position in her life, the rest fell into place. Designing for a show put on by Headmasters Salon and then the "Daydream" show in September 2003, it occurred to Grater that she should start promoting her funky jewelry and conceptual designs of recycled fabrics.
Angela Schulz is another fashion-minded
(Spool is open Wednesday through Saturday from 12-7 p.m. Call 816-471-5927 for more information.)
gal with an eye for mixing the past and present into her designs. One would never think of using an old license plate for a shirt and a hubcap for a skirt but that's just it what Schulz did in the "Daydream" show. Design started as a pastime and has since blossomed into a life-consuming hobby.
"I love to express myself through creating things whether it be knitting, textiles or sewing," Schulz says. Her work is a "blend of the '70s to now" and resides mostly at home in the closet or on friends. Striving for individuality and expression, Schulz has a clear image of exactly what she wants and how to make it. "I would never walk into Urban Outfitters and spend $40 on a shirt when I can make the same thing myself," Schulz says. Must be nice.
For two KU graduates, the "Daydream" fashion show has become a day-to-day reality. On Dec. 19, 2003, Hadley Johnson and Cobi Newton opened their own boutique featuring what else — their own designs. A hip clothing venue in an equally hip part of Kansas City, Spool is the product of the artistic vision and hard work of Johnson and Newton. After
two years of participating in fashion shows and earning a steady stream of revenue from designs, the duo took their abilities and Kansas City connections and made Spool at 122 18th St., their new home away from home. The shop features Johnson's original silk-scräened t-shirts and modern, simple designs teamed with
vintage patterns. Newton's specialties are her purses, paper handbags and elegant painting and coloring skills. Spool even features Grater's jewelry, more work by local artists and the L.A. based Breakdance America. With pocketbook friendly prices ($15 to $30) and a charismatic atmosphere, Johnson and Newton are eager to spread the buzz on Spool.
"We work well together and living in Kansas City, something like this is possible. It's all we've ever wanted to do." Johnson says.
— Lisa Picasso can be reached at Ipicasso@kansan.com.
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