Kenneth D. King
Kenneth D. King is the creative force behind Kenneth D. King Design, a small haute couture house that has a distinct aesthetic identity. King produces one-of-a-kind, made to measure pieces for women and men, limited-edition accessory pieces for boutiques and extravagant furniture and accessories for the home.
He strives to stretch his couture craft in new and more intriguing directions. King’s current body of work began with a re-examination of how clothing seams together in construction. These three ‘lines of inquiry’ as he calls them are soufflé, leafing, and cutwork. King’s move to New York matched his desire to form new techniques and designs, to make a complete departure from what he has done in the past. Most of his previous work involved many layers of fabric and innovative engineering to get certain effects. By choosing a transparent fabric, he had to create garments in which the construction, now completely on view, was as attractive as the design. The research to develop this body of work took nearly three years of making what Kenneth calls “lab notes”. This rigorous, evolving series of samples and notes finally yielded the techniques he sought. In the long view, his goal is to be the 21st Century’s answer to Mariano Fortuny.
King decided to focus more on private clients. A chance remark from one of his favourite clients turned him in a new direction. ‘One spends all this money on the dress,’ she asked, ‘what does one wear over it?’ King had experimented with wraps in the past, but this client helped him understand uses and types of wrap needed for the spectrum of events his customers attend. This started him on a new direction technically as well as aesthetically. King’s relationship with Maxfield had lasted nine years. During and beyond that time, his designs were carried at Wilkes Bashford, San Francisco and Ultimo in San Francisco, Dallas, and Chicago.
During the time King spent selling to Maxfield, his work and reputation grew with museum curators and private collectors. His work is in the permanent collections of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, the L.A. County Museum of Art and San Francisco’s DeYoung Museum, as well as many private collections.
It was during this time that King custom designed many pieces for Elton John. Notable were the hats that appeared in music videos for songs such as “Sacrifice”, “Whispers” and “You Gotta Love Someone”, as well as the red hat used in the Diet Coke commercial “Nightclub”. King also expanded his line for the store from hats, clothing, jewellery and accessories, to include home furnishings. He introduced his “Marble Jewellery” – necklaces and bracelets of clear glass marbles encircled with sterling silver. These designs, both in sterling and later in 18-Karat gold, continue as popular day-into-evening accessories in King’s design repertoire. www.kennethdking.com
Insider Tips for Leather (25) All Levels
Kenneth covers the ground rules with basic information needed to work with leather as it relates to garment construction. After discussing materials, you’ll make reference samples of the basic, overlap and slot seams as well as two dart treatments. Premium Fee $10 & Supply List
3 Hour Workshop
More Insider Tips for Leather (25) Intermediate
If you have mastered the basics of working with luxurious leather then this class is for you. Or, continue on the techniques learned in Kenneth’s Insider Tips for Leather class. Make samples of two methods for a felled seam and more designer details such as the basic bound buttonhole and making a flap and collar. Premium Fee $10 & Supply List
3 Hour Workshop
Jean Construction: Front Fly & Zipper (25) Intermediate
Most people avoid making a trouser or pair of jeans because the fly construction seems to be one of those complicated mysteries that only the initiated can do easily. Fear not! Kenneth has a method that takes all of the anxiety out of installing a fly front zipper into trousers or jeans. Learn to draft and install a fly front zipper into pants or jeans. You’ll leave with an invaluable 3D reference sample of this type of installation. Premium Fee $10 & Supply List
3 Hour Workshop
Jean Construction: Front Pocket (25) Intermediate
Once you’ve mastered the fly front, you’ve eliminated the fear of making jeans or a trouser. Now, let’s add pockets. Continuing on with trouser/jean detailing, Kenneth will teach how to draft and install a front side pocket. After drafting the pattern, Kenneth shares tricks to ensure the pocket will look crisp over the life of the garment! This method works for any shape opening, from in-the seam pockets and slanted to curved and square. Your pocket installation sample will prove to be a priceless resource. Premium Fee $10 & Supply List
3 Hour Workshop
Couture Closures, Kenneth D. King
Couture Closures (25) All Levels
Closures are important to the finished look of any garment. When making couture garments such as evening clothes, the closure can be the one important detail on an otherwise austere design. In this sample making workshop, Kenneth shows a variety of couture closures such as the Chinese knot and frog, the snail and braid frogs and finishing with his trick for making perfectly spaced buttons and loops using Swarovski Crystal Buttons. Premium Fee $10 & Supply List
3 Hour Workshop
Class registration will begin later this month. Watch for updates on our blog for when brochure details become available and registration begins. www.creativfestival.ca