Kate Spray

Winner Of “Be Discovered” Dress Design Competition 

 sponsored  by MSN and Glam

- Have you always been into fashion as a child?

If by “into fashion” you mean prancing around in my mom’s safari hat and purple fringed dance leotard, then yes!  But honestly, growing up I have always been into artsy things – painting, sketching, jewelry making, beading, etc.  I’ve tried a lot of mediums, starting from crayons as a kid.  I was actually looking through a box of old artwork that my twin sister and I had done as a child and some of the earliest ones were just a single crayon scribble on a piece of paper.  I guess back then that was considered a masterpiece!  I actually didn’t decide to go into fashion until I was in college.  It seemed to be the one thing that I hadn’t tried, but the one thing that really clicked.  

 - What is your background?

I grew up in Newark, OH and then went to college at Kent State University for fashion design.  I graduated Cum Laude in May 2006 and moved to Philly to work at Anthropologie.

 - How did you prepare for the competition?

I don’t feel as though there was a lot of preparation so much as fly by the seat of your pants.  When I entered the competition, all I had to do was submit a sketch and cross my fingers.  You really didn’t know whether you were going to have to make the dress until they emailed you to let you know you had made it to the final round.  That’s when you really had to step it up and be really detail oriented.

 - What do you think set you apart from the other contestants?

I believe what might’ve set me apart was that my dress was that it had a much different feel to it.  It wasn’t just a dress because it had other artistic and organic elements that visually made it look very different from the rest.  I am also a perfectionist and so I tried to make the inside look just as nice as the outside by doing a lot of French seams and interior binding.

 - How would you describe your collection in one word? 

Organic.

 - What inspires you?

I get inspired a lot by nature.  The earth has produced so many beautiful and visually stimulating creatures and aspects, that that particular realm has a lot of pull with me when it comes to designing.  It’s so hard to look around you or look at a completely foreign country and not be inspired by something. 

 - What designers inspire you?

I must say that I love the dramatic flair of Alexander McQueen & Nicolas Ghesquiere, while at the same time I love love love the colors and beauty of Matthew Willamson & BCBG Max Azria.

 - What are some fashion trends that you hate?

I really don’t like large, shapeless clothing, or anything from the 80’s/90’s with the exception of legwarmers.  I also can’t get on board with all of the granny floral prints coming in lately.

 - If you could work alongside one designer, who would that be?

Alexander McQueen or Matthew Willamson.

 - What can we expect from you next?

I’m not sure…..I wish I was able to see into the future to see what kind of turns my life will take.  For now though, I’m shooting for LA.  In a couple of years I think I would love to move out there and see what happens with my career.

 - Do you have any other hobbies that are not fashion related?

I live right across the street from a wildlife reserve here in Philly, so I love taking walks through that area.  I also love reading, rollerblading, and baking goodies!

 - What major city is most fashion conscious or has the most fashion

sense?

I would say Paris is the most fashion conscious.  I was lucky enough to take a trip there once with my mum & sister and I remember how many times I was sneered at for wearing tennis shoes!

 - What the best part about being a designer?  Worst part?

The best part is the creativity – hands down.  The worst part would have to be starting at the bottom of the food chain and having to work your way up.

 - What advice would you give other upcoming designers?

Don’t give up!!!  There will always be people who are going to pass you over or not like what you’re doing, and at times you might not feel like you’re good enough.  But you have to keep believing that one day you will reach your goal, and be ready & willing to work your ass off