Kimon designing for the future
Look whoâs having a successful year? Itâs 27-year-old fashion designer Kimon Baptiste. Searchlight sat down to chat with the creative Pieces-born former Girlsâ High School student to find out a little more about her.
We learnt that the lass, who hails from Richmond Hill, is currently attending the University of the West Indies pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in management with a minor in psychology.
Q: Why are you doing management at UWI?
A: Well, I believe in being multifaceted. I guess with the management part, I could manage my finances because I plan to continue fashion, but that has always been part time. I love both Fashion and Human Resources. {{more}}
Q: How did the interest in fashion start for you?
A: Well, growing up I was an only girl. I had two older brothers so all I had to keep my company were dolls. I used to make clothes for my dolls because I had aunts who were seamstresses. I used to get pieces of fabrics to sew, so Iâve been doing this for a long time. I only started doing fashion shows, I think, after I won Miss SVG in 1999. Thatâs when I started putting my work in the public eye, thanks to Monique from Image Modelling Agency.
Q: So you designed your own evening gown?
A: Yeah, back then I did, and I also won in that category in the show. But my aunt from Trinidad sewed it for me, cause around that time I donât think I had the confidence yet to do my own thing.
Q: So now, do you sew?
A: Yes!!! Actually Iâve realised that my passion is evening gowns. We now have a pageant for campus carnival and I did a gown for Tanya Fraser and she won. It was the rave on campus.
Ever since then, Iâve been getting a lot of people wanting evening gowns and dinner dresses. Thatâs what I enjoy doing.
Q: Iâve seen your gowns and they are right up there with the top designers. How do you price them?
A: Thanks… The price, well it depends on the style and the calibre of the show. It all depends and it varies. It depends on the service that I provide. There are people who donât have a clue of what they want and obviously that would cost more. But there are people who present an idea and I would bring that idea to life, in terms of finding the fabric, decorations and sewing it. So it all varies.
Q: What sort of designs do you do besides gowns?
A: Everything… Just recently I designed a swimsuit for Canouan Carnival and the young lady won Best Swimsuit. That was my first attempt at designing a swimsuit. So I do everything, itâs not just gowns. Gowns are my passion, but I do everything from casuals to formal wear. I want to dip my hands into everything.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the future?
A: I plan to continue fashion. Itâs a talent and Iâve heard that if you donât use it, you would lose it.(smiles) So itâs something I plan to continue doing well into my old age, but I plan to also be successful in the managerial filed.
Q: What are the colours you like to use when designing?
A: I love colours, anything from yellow, to pink, to baby blue to green. I just love bright radiant colours.
Q: Is there anybody you would like to meet in the fashion world?
A: At this point, anybody. Anybody that could give me positive advice and who would be an influence. I would be delighted to meet anybody in the fashion industry, because I think that they are all good. So getting the chance to meet any of them would be good enough for me.
Q: Donât you think that itâs only a matter of time before you become a big name designer?
A: Yes. I hope so.
Q: So whatâs your focus right now?
A: Iâd have to say on school. This is the final year so itâs crunch time. I canât afford to fail any courses because they are expensive. So school is the target, but that would not keep me from sewing just a little bit. Itâs just a matter of scheduling myself properly.
Q: Boyfriends?
A: (blushes) No response.
Q: Whatâs your advice to young people; not those who necessarily want to pursue a career in fashion design?
A: Well, always be respectful to elders and always be humble. Regardless of what position you may be in, always be humble. Just keep your head on and be positive. Stay away from drugs. Stay away from alcohol. It may sound clichéd but a lot of young people these days get themselves into trouble because of those chemicals. That would basically be my advice.
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