Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica K.
Hi Erica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Fashion has always been my passion. Since age nine in NYC I been in love with fashion design. I would sketch designs in my school notebooks and color them in with crayons. I would watch tv all day long on days I didn’t have school. This wasn’t regular TV. I was watching different fashion week shows from country to country. Or how to sketch fashion tutorials. One day I decided to recreate the designs I was sketching, only learning how to use needle and thread. My mom would take me to a fabric store to buy fabric to sew and design one of the sketches. I finally learned how to use her sewing machine. Each time I sewed, I learned more on how to use it. Once I got older in age I learned more on how to sketch I also learned more on how to use a sewing machine and how to actually sew garments together without using any patterns.
I then started designing my own clothes to match sneakers and shoes that I wore. Family and friends starting loving the things I created and they then had me making them things. My biggest challenge was at age 22 I designed high school prom dresses for my two twin sisters. They wanted something different and custom and that’s exactly what I designed for them. I still couldn’t believe that I made it for them. After that challenge, I then started designing small birthday dresses for more friends. Taking my passion to ATL, I then started designing exotic dance wear. Even though I lived sewing anything it still wasn’t my passion. So I took it a step further and started designing dresses, rompers etc. After attending NYFW many many times I decided to take my creations further and start a brand and business for women that love to look sexy and feel confident in simple colors and fabrics.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has never been a smooth road. Some struggles I went through along the way of this fashion journey was: Some days not making any sales, deciding if I should continue. Even if there wasn’t any sales I would still post to Social media. To making sales every day, to having Difficult clients. Not being able to find certain fabrics for certain garments that needed to be made. Trying to meet time frames/time quotas while living my personal life. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Although I’m a fashion designer, I like to call myself a creator. I create trends and send them out into the world. I specialize in dresses, wedding dresses, BabyShower dresses, club wear, birthday dresses, engagement party dresses. Photoshoot glam dresses and much more. I’m known for my intricate dresses with crystal designs. The women love how it glistens and has that glamorous look to it. Also my swimwear, the designs and fabrics used for it. I’m mostly proud of myself, for staying consistent and working on my creations. I normally would start something and then give up once I feel it’s not going well. But I stuck with this brand and these designs and continued to work hard. What sets me apart from others is my ability to remain versatile. Many people are versatile but it’s how you do it. Being a designer, I have one of a kind design policy. When designing these glam dresses, I only design one. I never remake them. So if you bought it from me, your the only one with it!!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My favorite app right now is the fashion sketch app “Pret A Temp.” Although I self-taught myself how to sketch, I still like to learn more things and this app has the supplies to learn to sketch and design garments before making them My favorite books: The coldest Winter ever” It’s an old book, I still have it and I love it. Second book: “Loyalty doesn’t trust love” It’s a new audiobook out now. I listened to it and I love it! Just waiting on the next sequel to it!
Contact Info:
- Email: luccikane@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/iamthekane
- Twitter: www.Twitter.com/sheisthekane
Image Credits
TheKaneCouture
