Karolyn Pho Collection: From Wardrobe Stylist to Contemporary Design
Before launching her solo collection, Karolyn Pho worked behind the scenes—as a wardrobe stylist for film and music videos, as well as backstage at New York Fashion Week.Her enthusiasm for fashion even drove her to sneak into a few runway shows—all for the thrill of being part of the industry.“While working backstage at the Doo. Ri runway show [at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011]—and even sneaking into fashion shows in previous years—I felt a rush,” Pho said. “You know how people feel when they sneak into music concerts? For me that feeling was brought on by fashion. [Those moments] were very much the experience for me.”
For the Spring/Summer 2012 launch of her contemporary collection, the Los Angeles–based designer mixes quintessential, classic Americana style with modernity and a vintage, European flare that draws inspiration from several eras.The collection stems from a “time right after graduation, when I had a vision of creating something that I aspired to be,” Pho said. “In the garments, you see a lot of clean lines and conservative details. The collection is a [reflection] of what I was striving for myself at the time—a debutante, if you will—to be what I saw at the time to reach perfection.”
For her palette, Pho created a color theme for each piece that refers to “transition of spring to summer”—what the designer describes as “the calm before the storm.”
“I see spring as a time filled with bright light, contrasted with thunder, white lightning, fog and mist—that is where you see [variants] of white hues such as creams, ivories and nude that tie into the idea of an etherealness. While the dark colors, such as blacks and navy, come out the gloominess of spring,” she said. “The entire transition of spring to summer, shown in the peaches and mints, [is evoked] by sunshine.”
The 30-piece collection includes a plethora of wardrobe staples, including structured, tailored pieces with polished details and trim, as well as more-delicate items. Fabrics include crisp wovens and menswear-inspired corduroy, as well as knits for “comfort and breathability,” sheer fabrications, silk dupioni, and tulle.
“A lot of the garments are masculine and linear. However, I wanted to add a juxtaposition of femininity to the pieces, and that is why you see sheer fabrics and loose silhouettes,” she said. “Some pieces appear to be conservative—with buttons to the top, but then there is a sexy little surprise in the back. I love the idea of balance between sexy and refined.”For example, featured are demure, slip tanks that wholesale for $30 and slinky, form-fitting dresses, featuring reverse peek-a-boo cutouts that wholesale for $183, while a Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis–inspired knit polo shirt wholesales for $90, a peplum top wholesales for $117, and a covet-worthy ballet circle skirt wholesales for $157.
Key pieces include a button-down tuxedo blouse, corduroy knee-length shorts, a kimono duster and a below-the-knee “body-con” short-sleeved dress. As for outerwear, Pho features a military-inspired, flare-armed jacket wholesaling at $104 and a tuxedo coattail blazer for $257.“I look forward to growing my line, but for now, I want to indulge in anything creative, establish a tone and make garments that stand out,” Pho concluded.
For more information, contact Jacki Yi at jackie@markedshowroom.com or Lisa Wurzel at lisa@marketshowroom.com or call (213) 662-9760.
—Sarah Wolfson
