Women’s wear label KAGE launched their first collection in 2009, offering fashion-forward pieces in feminine silhouettes. KAGE came to life during a trip in London, inspired by East London’s textiles and textures that launched the first capsule collection in 2009 at an art gallery. The collection sold out and the brand quickly expanded and established a strong following, resulting in KAGE and the opening of the atelier in 2011. Early 2016, KAGE moved their creative work space to the dynamic Design District. This is known as the brand’s white canvas: open, raw, and the perfect versatile space for inspirational ideas to come alive.

1. When and how you decided that you wanted to be a designer?
My partner at the time and I were both at a point in our lives where we wanted to leave our jobs and embark on a new journey. We used this opportunity to travel to London to explore, and got inspired. We shipped back fabric rolls and accessories, which we collected from our trip, and the KAGE brand was born in 2009.

2. It was your dream job?
I love being creative and have always appreciated art but I never envisioned starting my own Fashion label. I love what I do every day and seeing people wearing your own designs is the so gratifying and rewarding.

3. Which is the first thing you designed and for who (yourself, a friend…)?
In my younger years, I designed a dress and a headband that was made out of clean garbage bags. I designed it for my younger cousin and myself, which we happily wore and took pictures in.

4. Who’s the designer you admire the most and why?
There are a few but Karl Lagerfeld is my number one. He is an artist, a photographer and the genius behind three of the world’s biggest fashion houses. His creativity is endless.

5. Who’s your muse, your icon, when you create a dress?
Since starting the KAGE brand, my muse that has always been in mind when creating all of my designs is the KAGE girl. She is stylishly daring with a laid back aesthetic and effortlessly cool. It is important to me that all my designs reflect the KAGE girl.

6. If you had to design an entire collection using just one color, which is the one you’d pick and why?
Black – it is a versatile color that works for both night and day. You can style it and create so many different looks with the same few pieces. Having a few black items in your closet is a wardrobe essential and savior.

7. Who’s the first person you show your sketches to?
My cousin Zeina. She doesn’t have a fashion background, but her feedback is always non-bias, practical and constructive.

8. The fabric you love the most…silk, lace, velvet and why?
I love the combination of dark shades of velvet and feminine lace. They are light materials and are contrasting fabrics that work so well together.

9. If your clothes had a soundtrack, which songs you’d choose?
That depends on the collection and my inspiration. If I had to select a few, it would be indie remixed songs for sure.

10. Do you have any trick to avoid that “blank page” moment when you’re at the beginning of the designing of a new collection? Do you watch a movie, flip an old magazine?
I wish I did. You can’t really avoid that “blank page” moment as inspiration comes naturally so I can never force it. It sometimes takes longer but something will undoubtedly inspire you to help trigger your creative thoughts.

11. If you weren’t a designer which job in the fashion world you would like to do and why?
I must have been a florist in my past life. I love creative tabletop pieces so the combination of flowers and objects is something I have always loved to play with. I find myself creating arrangements all the time!