Today we’d like to introduce you to Katara Banks.
Hi Katara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Lima, Ohio if you haven’t heard of this place that’s alright the majority hasn’t it’s super small lol. But with growing up in Ohio gave me the little opportunity so when my family was able to move, I then joined magnet programs children’s theater that my grandmother put me through from there I would say is what really started my performing arts desire And allowed me to develop my creative talents. I’m an only child as well as an only grandchild so I had a lot of alone time to spend with myself which I think played a major part in developing my creative abilities as well. My mother taught me how to hand so and from there I would sew various doll clothes &things as a child I just never really took it serious until maybe a couple of years ago. I remember the day that I realized I wanted to be a designer I was working EVS in a hospital I completely hated that job and was extremely miserable I remember thinking of ways to spruce up the nurses outfits and thinking about actually coming out with a line of Scrubs. But after sitting on it, I realized I just didn’t want to be in that environment and I wanted to be creative with clothes I quit a week later my explanation was I am not meant to be here I need to go create. From there, everything just fell into place somewhat.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Sometimes I wish it was a smooth road but without failures and hardships, I know that I wouldn’t have become the person I am today. Things were definitely rough I’m a self-taught designer I didn’t go to school for this my actual college degrees are in psychology and criminal justice. I didn’t go to school for it due to money reasons and the situation I was in with coming from college and recovering from a car accident. There have been many nights where I’ve cried in almost gave up on designing many of times especially when I didn’t know much. There would be nights days and even months where I would be in a depressed state due to a lack of knowledge and a lack of resources. I mentioned before that I was an only child and an only grandchild so with spending a lot of alone time with myself and not really coming from a family of money there would be times where I would learn to do things because that’s the only way that it was going to be done. For example, I learned how to do my own hair make up clothes etc. and after a while you get good at the things you didn’t know how to do. I remember when skinny jeans came in style and everyone at school had them my parents weren’t going to buy me any so I went to the Goodwill found a pair of pants and hand-sewed skinny jeans lol. Moral is there are lots of struggles but you have to keep going if it’s something you want badly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m proud to call myself a fashion designer today. Though I have other talents as well as acting singing and dancing right now, I’m developing my designer talent because I’m more passionate about it. I really make whatever my mind thinks up I feel that if I can visualize it in my mind I can do it and the reality. I make anything from coats, pants, kid’s clothes, dog clothes, costumes and custom gowns. Right now I would say I’m known for just being out of the box and really just creating with my clients. I do custom outfits I just did a Freakneek outfit that went pretty viral I just like doing fun things. when My clients come to me they know that I’m going to listen to them as well as execute on their vision I don’t like doing boring pieces all of my clients are extravagant humans so why not have an extravagant piece. I would say what I’m most proud of right now is just being able to overcome obstacles and the human that I’ve become today I have accomplishments that I’m proud of but what I’m most proud of right now is my mindset. I think what sets me apart from others as well as other fashion designers is thinking outside of the box I don’t want to do fast fashion I want my pieces to be remembered I don’t want to be the next anyone I want to be known as Katara Banks. A household name.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
A quality that I think of a lot due to me having a lot of customer service jobs is of course customer service. I treat my clients with the utmost respect, timing is a really big thing for me I feel like if you can disrespect someone’s time then you can disrespect their life as a whole. I’m as professional is possible when it comes to work due to me just wanting to build that bond with my clients as well as it’s what they deserve. I’m humble as well I never let anything go to my head or blow it up we’re all humans and no one is better than the next. My drive would be the next because the Lord knows the drive to keep going isn’t always there.
Pricing:
- Most custom orders start at $75 they go up from there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.signedkbanks.com
- Instagram: @Thekatarabanks
Image Credits
Photographer credits: V.Knox photography @lilbabyog_ @smithonly_ @melissa0__0
