I once over my iPhone to make sure Iāve arrived at the correct restaurant to meet B. Boom. Table Three Ten has an industrial feel while still encompassing the warm feel of the Kentucky South. I sit in a quiet corner awaiting this young designer. She walks in sporting a jacket that looks more like a piece of art than clothing accompanying an all black ensemble. She gracefully joins me with a smile and no makeup looking as fresh faced as her designs. B. Boom is in her last year of undergraduate studies at the University of Kentucky studying fashion design and merchandising. She alludes that she would be a starving designer-artist in the middle of Milan or New York if it wasnāt for her strong family ties and her parents encouragement to āget a degreeā. Itās surprising to hear something like this from a Western Kentucky girl where cars only come in four wheel drive and Fashion Week is something for the āglitzy girlsā. āØāØConversation flows smoothly as our waiter approaches. I allow her to set the mood reluctant that she orders an Amaretto Sour. I follow her lead and begin to attempt to see the world in which B. Boom lives and sees.
Rebecca Lynn Boom. Born in Henderson Kentucky is a small town girl at heart. She loves her mom & dad and didnāt taste alcohol until college. Growing up in a Lutheran household she is devoted to God, although she may not say that outright. She has involved herself immensely in the designing of clothing since high school. She explains it began when her Nanna began to give her clothing. āIt all started when she gave me this blouse. It was hideous. Shoulder pads from 1980 and the whole bit. But for some odd reason I saw something in it. So I got my scissors and needle and thread and turned it into a blouse I wore for basically my entire junior year.ā Thatās where is seems to begin. Her love for fashion - her Nannaās closet. All of these pieces were made at a time where quality was of a high importance, B. describes the pieces she always fell in love with as a bit quirky, yet intriguing.
Her new Spring 2016 line is set to hit the Beaux Arts Foundationās Fall Ball. B. Boom explains that Kentucky isnāt the most āfashionableā city in terms of her dream designers like Stella McCartney. But this seems to be okay for B. Boom. The busy life of New York City excites her, but she refuses to rush the process. She is excited for the opportunity to display her designs at the Fall Ball. It is a charity event that is highly connected to the art and Lexington community. She explains her love for philanthropy and making a difference. Her designs in this show will be made from 100% recycled materials. This seems to excite and scare B.
āCreating something beautiful from recycled/repurposed items is a daunting task. I want to make something clean and fresh while keeping up with a vibe that expresses myself. Itās a challenge that Iām very excited about but scared as hell about too.ā āØWe finish our cocktails and order a bottle of red wine upon the waiters recommendation. For such a young designer, B. holds the poise and composure of a woman well into her career. She is confident and willing to take risks. She discusses a dress that she is in the works designing using parts of a car. She doesnāt reveal too much information, but explains her difficulty with the weight of the pieces and making sure her model would be able to move properly. āItās all a mess right now. I try to have everything together, but as my best friend is always telling me. āBoom life is messy. Youāre not perfect.ā I know she sounds like a royal b-i-t-c-h, but god bless her. Sheās right.ā
This is the first moment where Boom reveals her humanity. Her chestnut hair is between her fingers and she looks like her mind is moving a mile a minute. I sense some uneasiness in her gaze so I change the subjectā¦.RELATIONSHIPS. I say that we briefly touched upon the subject of models and so I ask her if sheās ever dated one.
āI was into this beautiful Brazilian man I met through the Art League here in Lexington, but he just was bland. He didnāt challenge me or fight back. He just agreed with me. Like who does that?ā We chuckle and continue eating our NY Strip and sipping on a light Pinot Noir.
So here you have it. B. Boom. A young designer from Henderson, Kentucky breaking barriers, making clothing into art and not letting men agree with her. Watch out Kentucky. Watch of World. Here she comes.
