Earth, water, air, fire and … fashion?

Susannah Kennedy

Kristen Bond’s scarves mesh so well with the patterns in nature they make you wonder if fashion is the fifth element of life. Designer Kristen Bond tells Gloss a little about history and inspiration behind her unique line.

Gloss: Where is Kristen Bond Scarves based?
Kristen: Kristen Bond Scarves is based in a sweet little sewing studio near Victoria on Vancouver Island. There is a sea breeze blowing in from the ocean and my little nieces play nearby. I can ride my bike to my studio down a forest path — it is perfect.

Gloss: Where does the idea behind your company come from?
Kristen: The line began with the intention of creating wearable works of Art.” I had always wanted to be a fashion designer. Clothing has always been my passion, my education and my raison d'etre. I worked in my apartment in my free time creating one-of-a-kind clothes. Friends and family always said "You should have a line of your own". Then one day someone said the words,"IF you ever have a line of your own..." and the word ‘IF’ rang in my ears. I thought "What does she mean 'IF'." Then I realized, I had better get started on taking care of my number one dream.

A trip to NYC proved to be inspiring. So many people on street level were stopping and asking about my scarf that I decided I really had something — an original idea and positive feedback in a fashion
capital. So, I began to set my sites on Kristen Bond as a brand. Now, I have focused in on my favourite wearable item: The Scarf!

Gloss: How long have you been involved in the fashion industry?
Kristen: My education is in Costumes and Fashion. My first career was in Film and Television in Costumes. I have been working for myself as an art clothing designer for a year and a half. I have always loved fashion and clothes. The clothes I love don't need to be fashion, they can just be fun or expressive or loved by the wearer — but I do LOVE style.com!

Gloss:Tell us about your most recent collection.
Kristen: My most recent collection is A Garden.— a Wearable World..  Welcome to my wearable world. It is NATURE made wearable; natural fabrics made into images from nature.  A new friend said to me the other day, "your work is something you would wear if you were in love every day."  Well that is, with out a doubt, the nicest thing anyone has ever said!