Kay King Interview: Houston, Texas

^{Above Photo: Left, Kay King and Right, Jennifer Jackson
Houston Community College, 11am, January 29, 2007}


Written by Jennifer Jackson, New York


On Monday, January 28th, I had the wonderful privilege of meeting and talking with Fashion Extraordinaire, Mrs. Kay King. The director and creator of the fashion program at Houston Community College is also taking the reigns as the Costume Society of America's current president. A long time friend of my mother's, Mrs. King invited my mom and I to come for a chat and to tour her fashion department at HCC. During our visit, I came to learn that Kay has had an amazing career in the fashion industry in Houston. She graduated with a design degree at the University of North Texas, going on to work first in Ready to Wear at Kay Bro. She told me that there were some struggles at the beginning of her career in RTW. During college, her study focus was concentrated on couture technique, but when she began her profession, she faced issues crossing over from couture to RTW. She remembered a pattern, describing the parts as "these two huge pieces," and when her boss saw excess amounts of draping fabric on her skirt design, he saw excess dollar signs! Needless to say, she learned quickly to adapt to her new arena, moving on to make many strides along her career path. Her credits also include costume designer for the Derek Dolls (cheerleaders for the former Houston Oilers); costumes for Six Flag's Astroworld Theme Park; and designer at Joe Frank Sportswear in petites and sold at notable luxury retailers such as Sak's Fifth Avenue.

In Kay's career, all of her fabulous feats revealed themselves to her, as she put it "they always fell in my lap." This was a sign to me, as I have been telling myself that I need to trust my instincts and let the opportunities for my career reveal themselves to me, I took this as assurance from a wise woman. Her mentoring has been invaluable to so many in Houston and abroad. While Kay decided that she wanted to stay in Houston for her career and have a family, she has become an essential force in catapulting Texas based fashion career hopefuls in the direction of their dreams.

As a role model to many in the fashion world, Kay has given wings to aspiring designers including winner of Project Runway's second season Chloe Dao! Prior to Chloe's education at FIT, she was a student of Kay's in Houston where she now designs and owns a boutique, Lot 8. It was a real pleasure to spend time talking to this accomplished woman. Using her unique perspective and own industry experience, Mrs. King created a fashion program that has allowed students to learn essential skills important for success in their future careers. Offering classes everywhere from the standard apparel construction to unique "French for Fashion," Kay looks back on it all recalling that in 1981 she had been asked to come develop HCC's program. She stayed to teach one course, but was afraid to leave because she didn't want anyone to alter her vision; she's been there every since. I believe that Kay King's true passion for fashion and design indicates the real basis for success in this industry.