Get to Know: Karis Fox
By Jaquelin Gasc
Name: Karis Fox
Major: Fashion Design
Year: Fourth-Year
Hometown: Madison, Ga.
District: When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in fashion?
Karis Fox: It was kind of gradual self-discovery thing, so there was no illuminating “ah-ha” moment. I did a lot of sewing throughout high school, was always doodling, and working three-dimensionally because I like to work with my hands more than sketch.
District: How would you categorize your design aesthetic?
Fox: It’s retro. It’s vintage. That’s just who I am, who I’ve always been. I love the 1950s and the glamor and the sophistication that go with that and so that comes through in my collection.
District: What was the inspiration behind your collection?
Fox: To sum it up in three words, it was Madrid, Balenciaga and basic geometry. I spent the summer in Madrid with my college roommate and so when I came back to do my senior collection that really shaped how I approached [it]. Because it’s Spain, Balenciaga naturally ties in with that.
District: What was the most challenging part of the senior collection process?
Fox: There were a lot of challenging parts. Probably one of the hardest was just figuring out how to work all the shapes in my collection, because I have one dress that is shaped like a balloon. How are we going to make it hold that shape? How is it going to still be wearable? It is sort of function vs. form there. I have another dress that is very basic, very simple, but it was the same thing. It kind of bells out a little bit, but it’s a short dress. How are we going to get that bell shape and how structurally does that work? So, the biggest challenge is just figuring out all the structural aspects to each piece.
District: Who has been the most influential person in developing your collection?
Fox: Well, definitely my professors, because it’s a real dialogue with them as you develop your collection.
District: Who would be your dream designer to work alongside?
Fox: Well my ideal, ideal, you’d have to go back to the 1950s to be able to work with Dior and Balenciaga when they were still alive.
District: Out of your peers, whose collection is your favorite?
Fox: This is a hard question. It’s hard for me to judge all of them because I’ve been with them for almost 20 weeks now, but I think I really like Patricia’s collection. It’s just so creative and so fun. It’s very different.
District: Do you have any advice for the future seniors that are about to start their collections?
Fox: Just have fun with it. Don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work to come. Don’t limit yourselves, because it’s a really fun adventure even if it’s going to get crazy.
