DIY City Mag: Your work seems to push the edge of sexy - what inspires this style?
Kristin: Inspiration has many faces, sexy is an interesting word for me, being the Tom-boy that I am I found another avenue definition and interpretation for sexy. Everything I do and everything that I am is a process of function, method and mechanism. Leonardo Di Vinci said, “Give me the measure of all things, and I will tell you the nature of the soul.” The measure of my own sexuality is represented through form blended with reality, sexy to me is the true being of each woman. I have also created, styled and directed fashion shows, when I was going through the planning stages and rehearsals with models I always wanted to find out their true personality, from there I advised them to pull from that. I am not of fan of forced realities, so what is truly from within is superior in sexy me, not any preconceived notion. With my designs I pull from within, my emotions experiences, desires, dreams, challenges and disappointments, for it is these things that make me, me. These things come through my eyes and are transfused from my heart and soul into my designs. We women are goddesses of many states of mind and emotion, some sultry, some fierce fused with masculinity some introverted and meek, while others are roaring lions with thunder. Sexy, simply stated is what is truly within. If I am seen as pushing the edge, cool, just know that in reality I am pulling from what already exists.
DIY City Mag: How long have you been designing, do you have any formal training?
Kristin: Altogether I had three amazing learning planes to grow on, interning for Poleci Design Corp in the summer of 2003/Fall of 2004, Apprentice/Assistant to Crashious Crowley for the Roadside Room, and solely managed a boutique for 2 1/2 years for Sonia Moncayo owner of L'Exotique Appeal Boutique. It was these that instilled in me the most formal training, that of which was hands on and real.
DIY City Mag: Do you keep an inspiration book or have an inspiration wall?
Kristin: I classify inspirational as being something you know that you are going to refer back to many times over, so from words to photos I use these to fill me up and keep me going, like oxygen to breathing.
DIY City Mag: Can you tell us a little bit about when you first discovered design or fashion and also who is your fashion icon?
Kristin: "My ultimate fashion icon is the late and great Gabrielle Coco Chanel. I have studied many different biographies about Coco, I collect pictures of her and I absolutely love her quotes. I am most impressed with her life story as well as struggle, overall it is her strength in daring to challenge and defy conventional thinking that inspires me most. She was expressive and fearless. I dare to be different and I am doing my best to remain as honest as possible even if it causes others discomfort. For the reason, that like Coco Chanel I too have unconventional ideas and thoughts that some may not understand but that does not mean I will ever stop striving for originality. No instead it motivates me more. Besides Coco Chanel, my idols are my mother Sylvia Morgan, my late grandmother La Leta Fields Morgan, Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, Zac Posen, Hussein Chalayan, Liya Kebede and Naomi Campbell because she’s a true goddess." by
Deb E and Wendy for DIYCITYMAG