Her Los Angeles-based line Kristinit is "inspired by nature, history, and the innate glamour of women." Every piece in the collection is designed to bring out the natural elegance and beauty of women around the globe, and with an exclusive Kristinit blouse of my own, I attest to its natural elegance. So chic! Eco-friendly and "in the spirit of connectness," Kristinit uses innovative organic fabrics, local manufacturing, and fair trade practices. This designer donates a percentage of each sale to One Percent for the Planet and the Pachamama Alliance. Now, it's time for Agenda Magazine readers to enjoy my exclusive interview with the creative brain behind Kristinit! How amazing the blouse is you sent me! It has a 60s glamorous vibe. Is that era's style an influence on your designs? Thank you. I'm so glad you like it! For some reason I have always been attracted to the art and culture of the 1960s. Color is always important to add to a woman's wardrobe. So with spring's numerous options that have hit the runway, which pieces do you predict will be the biggest trend? I think that the neutral/pastel palette is the way to go for spring. Considering that many women have less money to spend these days on clothing, I think investing in beautiful clothing in neutrals like cream, pale pink, and even navy, and then styling them with accessories in hot spring colors like bright yellow or turquoise is great. This combination of colors looks fresh and sophisticated. As a designer, do you feel that you have a certain responsibility in creating fashion for the masses?
What is your target demographic? I design beautiful clothes for any woman who wants to wear something that makes her feel confident and sexy not only in terms of design and quality, but also in the ethical way that the garments are produced. Tell me about your design team. Is this predominantly a one-woman production? I am always interested as to how involved and hands-on designers are with their creations. I am responsible for the design of the collection. I do a lot of sketching, painting, and researching to solidify my vision. Then I work with an amazing group of patternmakers, tailors, and seamstresses that help bring my ideas to life! Without this team effort, there would not be a Kristinit Collection. I'm also currently working with design consultant Zoe Melo and a group of women weavers in Brazil, who are making handmade lace appliqués for the fall '09 collection. This is a very exciting project, and I hope to be collaborating more with them in the future. Your eco-friendly fashion directly raises the focus on our environmental issues. So on a different note, how does the state of our economy impact your work of art? Even in this difficult time, I can feel a new optimism |
Kristina Lenss
I've never thought about it that way. I design to address the needs of women in terms of beauty and function. Fashion for the masses is a phenomenon based on so many different factors, including the media, advertisements, the economy, etc. It's like a hurricane of influences that one person cannot really direct or take responsibility for.
