^ kc fashion week
KANSAS CITY FASHION WEEK MARCH 26 - APRIL 1 Q & A with new KCFW designer, Meghann Wheelock of Ethel and Dean
KCFW: What is your inspiration for the new childrenswear collection you’ll be showing this season at KCFW? MW: When I first started fashion school, there was a British Vogue issue that featured plaid and the Scot- tish Highlands. It was such an inspiring issue, I’ve had this concept featuring plaid rolling around in my head ever since. When I started thinking about a fall kids line, it came back to the forefront of my mind. The main fab- rication is my family’s tartan pattern (my grandmother was a Blair). I’ve combined that with recycled denim and military uniforms to bring a bit of an edge to the line. It’s been a really fun element, taking something apart and making something new from it. The collection is named after my great grandparents (Ethel and Dean) so I’ve tried incorporating a bit of their personalities as well. The boy’s looks are adventurous and daring with an element of the outdoors. The girl’s looks are feminine, but also sassy and strong. KCFW: What are you looking forward to most about participating in KCFW? MW: I’m most looking forward to seeing the collection fully realized on the runway. I’ve seen it in my head for so long now, it will be wonder- ful to have it finally come to life. ^
KCFW: You previously worked in the LA fashion industry and recently moved back to KC. How has moving back to KC, fueled you to start your own collection? MW: Since moving back, I’ve been struck with the revitalization that is happening in Kansas City, especially with the fashion industry. I love the idea of being a part of the growth that is hap- pening. My family has been a part of this city for so long, my great-grandmother was a seamstress in the city during its heyday in the 1930s, and it almost feels like coming full circle to strike out and try and create my own piece of history here. There is a lot of support in the Kansas City fash- ion scene as well. Every other designer I have met has been encouraging and offered up their advice on how to get things started, whether its names of sample makers and fabric suppliers or where to go to get your pieces in stores. KCFW: How is your past industry experience helping you prep for this season of KCFW? MW: I learned so much about curating a collec- tion during my time in the LA fashion industry. In my most recent experience as a swimwear designer, I was responsible for completing the entire creative process for each collection, from the initial trend research and interpretation to choosing prints and colors and silhouettes. It gave me the tools and confidence I need to act as creative director for this collection. VKC: Why did you choose childrenswear after designing for women for so long? MW: I’ve alway’s loved childrenswear. I special- ized in childrenswear while I was in school, creating a 14-look collection for girls as my final project. I was offered a job at Guess Inc. by one of the owners after graduating, and I thought “this is such a great opportunity, I have to pursue it and see where it leads”. My time at Guess was amaz- ing. I learned to design for both men and women, and it opened up doors to even bigger projects. I moved on to designing swimwear for Betsey Johnson and major retailers like Nordstrom, Dil- lard’s, and Kohl’s. I also designed some children’s swimwear during that time. It’s always been my favorite, so I guess when the choice is completely mine I will always go back to it.
Meghann Wheelock
The Side of KCFW You May Not Know How many hair and makeup artists are under one roof for each season of KCFW? Approximately 460 people over 4 days. Approximately how many photos are taken by Official KCFW Photographers? A minimum of 40,000 photos per season! What time does everything begin on a typical runway day? KCFW staff arrives at 7am every day to get started and doors don’t usually open until 6:30pm! How many hours are there of model/designer rehearsals before each collection is actually shown on the runway? Over 32 hours After 10 seasons of KCFW and on average over 240 model walks per season on an 80 ft. runway, models have walked over 75 miles of KCFWrunway length! How many oz. of coffee and cans of red bull does the KCFW planning committee go through each fashion week season? On average, theKCFW committee drinks 184 oz. of coffee per day and drinks 15-20 cans of Redbull. On average, how many attendees are there during KCFW?
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