SEASONS FASHION
KayOss
Local designer creates unique clothing out of KayOss — By Linda Mantle
“Ialways knew I would have serendipitously found her fascination
my own business,” says lo- with fabrics. “I love the feel of the
cal fashion designer Amy fabric,” she says simply.
Johnson. Shedidn’tknow The current KayOss line features
exactly what it would be, but she had skirts, dresses, fun tops and shrug-a name: KayOss, derivative of chaos, gies. Her design concept... “...is to be
a state of disorder and confusion. For noticed. I want my clothes to be eye-Johnson, chaos is a good thing: You catching; whether it’s the movement,
need the chaos, but if you focus and design, color or texture, something
plan with purpose and passion, you’ll about it catches your eye,” Johnson
navigate through the muddle and explains. “It also has to feel good
mayhem to some prophetic outcome. whether you’re sitting or walking.”
In her case, it’s KayOss Designs, John- Johnson describes her designs as clas-
son’s clothing design business and the sic, not over-the-top or trendy. “It’s a
line of women’s clothes she has been classic piece in your closet. That’s the
creating and producing since 2006. engineering in me; I like things to
“If you’re doing what you should be last,” she says.
doing and follow your heart, you’ll A look at the KayOss line reveals
find a path through the chaos,” she couture fabrics creatively crafted
says convincingly. with attention to detail and fit, flirty
A student of technical design with a without the fuss, large prints and
degree in civil engineering and envi- color. But, not over-the-top doesn’t
ronmental design, the tall, statuesque mean no WOW factor. From her very
designer says she never felt like that first pieces, Johnson has infused her
was THE thing. Fortunately, she lis- clothes with energy and a personal-tened to the creative side of her brain ity that make people sit up, take note
and continued her education. Drawn and say, “Where did you get that?”
to the arts--sculpture, painting, ce- KayOss Designs began as a sideline
ramics, glass, jewelry making, pho- while Johnson continued working
tography-- “I pretty much tried ev- in engineering sales and marketing
erything,” she says. “I was searching to support herself. By Spring 2008,
for that thing that you’re passionate KayOss was ready to debut and John-about, and it was never engineering,” son was one of several local design-Johnson says pointedly. ers to showcase her work at St. Louis
It was in Florence, Italy, where she at- Fashion Week. That exposure and
tended the Lorenzo de Medici school her commitment and determination
and The Fashion Design Lab, that she brought her enough recognition and
sales to devote full time to KayOss by
fall 2008.
In St. Louis, KayOss can be found
at Vie and Valerie Mills Fine Ap-
parel, among other upscale boutiques
around the country as well as online
at www.kayossdesigns.com.
Johnson will show her line at New
Orleans Fashion Week in September
and while she pursues other outlets,
she has based her company in St. Lou-
is, where she finds numerous resources
and appreciates a burgeoning fashion
scene. “I want to grow here, I want it
to happen here,” she says amidst the
tools of her trade in her Central West
End boutique/studio.
Happening it is, thanks to Johnson’s
resolve and equanimity that lead her
through the chaos every day. “Every-
thing about this was so meant to be.
It was being patient and letting it
all unfold.”
