ifd: Klarice, Congratulations on winning FashioNXT's Emerging Designer 2024!!! I had so much fun talking with you backstage. Can you tell us abour you and your brand?
Klarice: "I have always had a passion for clothes and expressing my personality through what I wear so I guess when I sat down to think about what I would want to go to school for, apparel design was a no brainer.
I graduated from OSU with a masters in Apparel design last year and have since moved to Portland. KAOTIC is something I have been working at for four years now and I would say my senior year is when my skills really started to take off.
The name of my brand, KAOTIC, is a representation of who I am and the kinds of clothes that I like to create and anyone that meets me would agree, haha. Oftentimes I like thrifting my materials to find new life and ideas in what we already have. Something that quickly became the biggest part of my brand is Denim.
The mass amount of denim that individuals toss out has made it a great inspiration for me. When you take a look at my brand and the pieces I create you will find unique uses of denim that you have probably never seen before.
Being a part of FashioNXT was an incredible experience and of course winning and being able to hold the title of Portland's next emerging designer is so massive to me. Seeing everyone come together to uplift us designers is truly so beautiful to see and to be a part of. I greatly look forward to being a part of this year's show as an established designer and to what I will do with KAOTIC next!!"
Check out kaotic_co
"Vienna look #1✨✨✨✨✨This wet fabric is something I have been working on for awhile now. Draping your mannequin with mesh fabric and painting it with silicone creates such a fun new material, but getting the combination of parts right took some time to perfect.Then with help from my friends we hand beaded and tied each strand to the dress to aide in the wet effect!Nicole brought this garment to life beautifully, thank you for starting out the show so perfectly😌". KATOTIC IG POST
"I am beyond grateful and proud to announce that one week ago today, my brand, KAOTIC was awarded as the 2024 upNXT emerging designer of Portland, OR by FashioNXT!!!!!
I have worked endlessly since receiving the news that I was accepted to compete in this year’s Portland fashion week. Without the help of those closest to me I would never have been able to complete this collection to the capacity I wanted. So a huge thank you goes out to my friends and loved ones." Klarice Larson
Thanks for sharing your story with us Klarice! We can't wait to see what comes next for you!
Have your own story to tell? Drop us a comment and let us know!
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