Interview with the Exectutive Producer of KCFW, Teisha Barber
Name: Teisha Barber
Occupation: Executive Director of Kansas City Fashion Week, Interior Designer, and Model
City: Lee's Summit
State: Missouri
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @KC_fashionweek & @teish_marie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kcfashionweek & https://www.facebook.com/teishmarie
Blog: Personal blog- http://whosthatchick-teishamarie.blogspot.com/
Project:Design!: Are you originally from KC?
Teisha Barber: I am originally from KC. I grew up in a suburb of KC, called Blue Springs, MO.
P:D!: What is your role in KC Fashion Week?
TB: I am the Executive Director of Kansas City Fashion Week. I'm also modeling for one of our designers, recorded one of our commercials, done some of our graphic design work, etc.
P:D!: How did you get involved with KC Fashion Week?
TB: President of KCFW, Phil Willoughby, asked me to become the Executive Director back in June 2010, after I planned a benefit fashion show called, "Models on a Mission" in KC that raised money to send to Joplin, MO after their devastating tornadoes hit last year.
P:D!: How long has KC Fashion Week existed?
TB: There have been other attempts at putting on a KC Fashion Week in the past. Some have been successful, and some have not. We want to change that for Kansas City. This will be the second Kansas City Fashion Week, LLC sponsored fashion week event. It follows a successful "teaser weekend" held in April 2011, where over 1,300 people attended the 3 day weekend event. The spring 2012 Kansas City Fashion Week presented by Kansas Clean Distilled Whiskey will build on that success. We've expanded and will have 5 amazing fashion shows over a 4-day period. We have over 20 local and regional designers showing their latest collections over the 4 days, not to mention several local boutiques that will be doing small showcases as well and performances by Quixotic, and recording artists Eva Kathryn and Nate Evans.
P:D!: What is the future of KC Fashion Week?
TB: We've already started preliminary planning and production for our fall shows that will be held in September of 2012. Dates will be announced soon after the shows in February. We really want to focus on making Kansas City and the Midwest a well-known presence in the fashion industry. The Midwest is often overlooked when it comes to style and design. We want to change that. We have a lot of great talent here that many people on the East coast and West coast aren't aware of. Our goal is to continue to grow and be able to provide local, regional, and even national designers a chance to show their collections in a new market.
P:D!: Fashion Week is huge in New York and other major cities, how does the Kansas City community feel about having a Fashion Week?
TB: There was some skepticism at first, because of past Kansas City Fashion Week events that were not very successful. That is definitely an obstacle that we've had to overcome in the planning of the all new Kansas City Fashion Week. Overall, we've had a great response from our efforts to revitalize KCFW, and bring the fashion community together. Many people are excited, because they never knew Kansas City had a fashion week. We've had some amazing support from several designers, boutiques, fashion blogs, newspapers, television stations, etc. People are very excited about where Kansas City Fashion Week is headed.
P:D!: Can you describe the fashion in KC? People’s style? What is sold in boutiques?
TB: I feel that Kansas City is very diverse when it comes to fashion. I wouldn't say that there is one particular style that people wear. We have everything from edgy to very chic. You'll see a lot of diversity between all the Kansas City Fashion Week designers. We have a great group of designers and a little something for everyone. Menswear, Ready to wear, Couture, Avant Garde, Swimwear, Lingerie, etc. You will see a little bit of everything at the KCFW shows.
I think that high end designers and stores are starting to realize that they've been missing their mark here in KC. Just recently we've had several store openings, H&M, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade New York to name a few. Free People will be opening this spring.
P:D!: How many established designers would you say exist in KC?
TB: I would say there are several, probably 10-15. From clothing designers to jewelry designers, I would say we have a pretty substantial group of well-known designers. Well known not only in Kansas City, but also nationally. We also have a large number of emerging designers that are really trying to get their brands out there.
P:D!: How many designers are booked for KCFW?
TB: We have a total of 24 designers showing their current collections over the four-day event. 6 local boutiques will also being doing small showcases throughout the week, showing some examples from their new spring lines.
P:D!: Can you tell us what to expect each day during KCFW?
TB: All the fun starts on Thursday, February 23rd at 7pm with the Faction Magazine 2 year anniversary and spring 2012 Kansas City Fashion Week presented by Kansas Clean Distilled Whiskey Kick-off. We will have fashion shows at 8pm and 10pm, featuring designers Gina Boyce, Laura McGrew, Maegan Stracey, Kirsten Paludan, and Jeremy Rockwell. This event will be held at the new One 8 Oak Event Space at 1814 Oak Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108.
On Friday, February 24th, the events move to the Harrah's Hotel and Casino ballroom in North Kansas City. Our Red Carpet Gala with Featured and Emerging Designers will begin at 7pm, with the red carpet starting at 5:30pm. If attending this night you can expect to see some amazing performance from local performing arts group Quixotic Fusion. This group is an ensemble of artists from various disciplines including aerial acrobatics, dance, fashion, film, music and visual f-x. This inventive group of artists goes beyond the limits of any specific art form, challenging traditional perceptions and creating a total sensory experience unlike any other for its audience while exploring infinite possibilities of movement, sound and multimedia. We are very excited to have them be a part of our events. We will have 6 designers showing collections on Friday: BMDesigns, Haus Designs by Sierra Moses, Oblivion Clothing, OlaSTYLE, christianMICHEAL, and Evil Pawn Jewelry and a special boutique showcase from one of our sponsors Watercolors High Fashion.
On Saturday, February 25th, we have our Featured and Emerging Designer Showcase starting at 2pm, also in the Harrah's North Kansas City ballroom. Designers, Fermented Fruit by Eli Borrowman, KALYNVALLIERE, Jamie Santomasso, SuSHE by J.Tracey, Bridedoll by Caroline Williard, KMS Couture presents "American Trash," and House of Cochon will be showing collections. We will also have a special performance from local vocalist and recording artist, Eva Kathryn.
On Saturday evening, Watercolors High Fashion will be hosting their own fashion show, called Angels and Aviators in the Harrah's ballroom at 8pm. Proceeds from this fashion show will go to Angel Flight, who primarily serves patients needing transportation to or from the heartland region.
Kansas City Fashion Week presented by Kansas Clean Distilled Whiskey will have an Official After-party on Saturday evening, beginning at 10pm at Lucky Strike Lanes in the Power and Light District downtown. 3 boutiques will be putting on fashion shows throughout the night, including The Garment District, Envolve Boutique, and Aura Boutique.
On Sunday, February 26th, we welcome our student designers for our Student Designer Showcase and Competition. We have students participating from the University of Missouri, University of Kansas, Park University, Academy of Art University, and Missouri State University. LaTonya Jones, Hongor Couture, Symbiotik, Chelsea Riane Designs, and Prim & Improper will be shown on this day. We know that designing and executing an entire collection could be very difficult for a college student. The student designers were allowed to have helped executing their garments, except for 3 looks that they will be showing our judges before the show. These three looks must be completely finished by the student alone. The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize.
One of our participating boutiques, The Garment District, will be hosting the KCFW wrap party at their store in the Power and Light District on Sunday from 5pm-8pm. We will also be celebrating the 2 year anniversary of The Garment District.
P:D!: What are your favorite designers?
TB: Who doesn't love a little Christian Dior in their life ;) I'm definitely a fan of the very classic but also modern looks that Calvin Klein introduces time and time again. I'm very impressed with the fun and flirty styles that Anna Sui has designed. Zac Posen, BCBG MAX AZRIA, and Christian Siriano are also some of my favorites.
P:D!: Can you explain your personal style?
TB: I would say that I'm very girly in my style. I love to wear dresses and skirts. I'm definitely into layering right now and using pieces from my spring wardrobe. There's nothing wrong with a little color in the winter when the weather is so drab ;) I like floral and bold patterns, but I also find myself purchasing many solid colors, staple wardrobe pieces, such as blazers, cardigans, and dresses. When just wanting to relax, I get out my favorite pair of Rock and Republic jeans and a simple t-shirt.
Accessories are definitely my weakness. They can dress up just about any outfit. Handbags, shoes, and jewelry are some of my favorite things to shop for.
P:D!: If you could meet a designer dead or alive who would it be?
TB: That's a very tough question. There are so many great designers that I would love to talk to, but ultimately I would love to meet Christian Dior. I love the elegance and gracefulness of so many of his gowns from the 1940's. It would be such an honor to sit down and talk to him about his vision, and what he envisioned the future of fashion to be.