Flower of Love
[Photos by NR]
Top: Topshop polka dots crop top (similar here) | Bottom: KTRcollection skirt | Necklace: chunky pearl necklace from ebay | Bracelets: Marc Jacobs, Aqua | Michael Kors studded cap toe pumps | Bag: Marc Jacobs crobsy sutton
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I never really intended to make clothes nor did I love sewing. It was sort of out of my own agony and a survival remedy for a bullied kid who wanted to fit in.
Growing up, we didn’t shop at department stores or wore designer clothes. Every few months my mom would take me to the local community church where they sell clothes for $0.50 an item and I was always so excited because that means new clothes for school. Of course nothing ever fits and most of the time they were outdated. When I went to school with my “new clothes,” I’d get teased and bullied for not matching or wearing something that wasn’t “good enough.” For those reasons, I started sewing and became quite crafty at hemming pants that were too long, trimming over-sized skirts, turning bagging tops into a form fitting tank and sometimes removing excess fabric to create an entirely different garment. At 10, my mom bought me my first sewing machine and I remember hysterically busting out in tears because I was so happy.
It’s funny how life works. The things that you thought were your weaknesses are actually going to be your strength. I started sewing because I was bullied and I wanted to fit in, but over time, love blossomed …and now it’s my passion and desire to make things that will allow me to express my individuality and enable me to stand out from the crowd.
I made this skirt over the weekend and I love the box pleats because it creates a full and flare shape that’s perfectly feminine and fun, not to mention the bold contrasting colors of purple, green and yellow. I also think the contrast of polka dots and floral somehow creates a perfect harmony. Ironically, I now can’t get enough of mixing and matching as I think it’s a part of my personality: quirky, bold and sometimes adventurous. :) Therefore, I wanted to share this skirt with you and hope it’s unique in a sense where you can express yourself as well.
To enter for your chance to win a custom made skirt to fit YOU, please use the Rafflecopter below:
Skirt details: A full flare, high waisted, box pleats skirt, custom fit to your waist measurement, with invisible back zipper closure. 22″ length
1 Winner will be announced next Friday, May 24th. Good luck!
[…] the winner of my Floral Skirt contest is K.S. I’ll send you an email shortly to get your […]
I truly love your vision here. The colors, the patterns, the poses, WOW! Always adore you buddy!
Amazing
I’d keep it simple a form fitting white tank and black wedges. Lots of silver jewelry!!!
your story is so inspiring and your talent is beautiful. keep up the good work :)
sleeveless black button down shirt and gold heels. The skirt is beautiful!!!
I would pair this skirt with a simple black sleeveless top.
Same here! But my top would have a high neck.
By the way, K, I love your point about our supposed weaknesses becoming — or always being — our strengths. Beautifully put and so very right.
Thanks for sharing your story on how you began sewing it hit home for me,i was bullied myself as a young girl mostly because of my skin color.Its awesome how god gave you a gift that bloosomed through hard time and look at you now.Creating so many beautiful things!!.My childhood dream was to learn how to sew but not till 5 years ago did a friend of my teach me.I have made some really beautiful pieces but im so insecure of my skills and feel that i still need to learn so much more.
Thank you for being a inspiration for me a girl that loves to sew and create pieces as well,maybe not as good as you lol
xoxo
carina
Wow! What a moving post, your words have moved me beyond tears. I am such a huge fan of yours and I know it’s because of your heart! Your fashion savvy and hair are just bonuses! Kudos to you and stickin’ it to those bullies! Success is truly the best revenge.
Xoxo haven’t stopped by in awhile and I regret it, don’t mind me spamming your posts now!
I can’t wait for your shop to open back up again so I can order something! I’m a huge fan of full skirts. I think this skirt would look fantastic with a back-bearing halter top or even a solid l/s crop top.
http://www.xjole.com
That’s such a wonderful story of how you began sewing, thanks for sharing! It shows that making it through tough times really strengthens who you are as a person and it’s helped shape who you are today. You are a talented seamstress with impeccably made garments, I’m glad you found your calling to express yourself through your beautiful creations!
Marisa
http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com
I would pair this fabulous skirt with a neon green crop top & green, gold sandals/heels and complementary accessories!! You are a true inspiration, I used to sew all through high school and was even going to go to F.I.T in NYC. Long story short….I got sidetracked…but your making my creative juices begin to flow again — Thank you!! Glad you made Lemonade out of those Lemons….Your Fabuloussss Lady!!
Love this skirt! I have soo many things that would go with it perfectly!!!
Love Love this skirt!!!
I would love to win this beautiful skirt, I would pair it with my favorite V-Neck in white and wear a hobo-style long necklace that I have with an elephant on it. I would wear my new Zara strappy heels in nude and a fab coral bag for a pop and to stand out! I love to mix casual pieces with artsy pieces like this skirt! Good Luck to me! :)
xo,
Erika
http://www.lolabluethecloset.blogspot.com
CLASSY…LOVE IT x
Love this skirt! I would wear it with a white button down shirt and black pumps of some kind! Very classy!
Awwww that’s a touching & lovely account of your life growing up KT…..It’s always nice to look back! Look at you now….so sexy & chic!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Sometimes things were created out of frustration. In fact, many things were created out of frustration and with perseverance, it can definitely go far. You definitely have talent in sewing and I have no doubt about that. I’ve proof! wink wink =)
I love this skirt and the print is just gorgeous! I just entered the giveaway and realized that I’ve been following you in so many social media starting from Bloglovin to Twitter to Facebook and Instagram. I really enjoy seeing your fashion sense =)
I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this
blog. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own, personal website now ;)
My blog … isabel marant outlet
I love the skirt, would pair it with an all black crop top!
I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on
and see if the problem still exists.
I would love this skirt!
Really cute outfit! Looking good!
I find your garments to always be beautiful yet bold. I am so happy that you were able to take something so negative in your life and make it positive for not only you but countless other!
You are so freggin inspiring! I always come to your site when I am in a “sew funk” just to get my mojo back! I would love the new creation, and would pair it with a backless bodysuit or a wrap shirt. I am excited.
Perfect!!!
I love this print combo!
You look beautiful!
-Adrienne. xo
Citizen of the World
Citizen of the World
Oh gosh, I find it really hard to dress since I’m the shape of a an obtuse triangle, but this skirt is absolutely GORGEOUS! I would pair it with so many of my accumulated shirts. Black silk long-sleeved for the colder days and a nice short cropped top for the warmer times. Just beautiful!
love that first quote..never be afraid to stand out…which you are doing exquisitely in this dress
http://www.bellaconscience.com/
Just love how you’ve styled the skirt. I wouldn’t change a thing :)
This is so adorable !!!!!
So pretty!!
I love this skirt. so elegant! ..would love to win it <3
Well you should be very proud of yourself! You’ve created quite a name for yourself as you are so talented girl! I love how you paired the skirt with the polka dots. I think I’d pair it with a nice crisp white blouse and pearls as well :) Thanks for the give-away!! xo
Love this post, and your outfit!
http://www.more-than-one-love.blogspot.co.uk
Well you look gorgeous as always, and i really love your hair!
Absolutely amazing.
Its lovely awes~ I love that way you made up..
I want it <3
I would wear an orange shirt that’s fitting and tuck it in! It’s so versatile!
I would pair it with a black crop top, a gold vintage earring (not hoops), gold bracelets and a nude and yellow sandal ( Giuseppe look alike that almost all celebrities had last year) and a black and gold clutch (the Chanel black quilted look alike) and of course my hair would be in a high bun.
I would have never put this combo together on my own. You look gorgeous and the ensemble is flawless!
I love this look! U have don it very well! I would go the classic route and just wear a white button down with a sweater over it and with a classic pair of black pumps.
I love this skirt! I would pair it with a lace shirt, a chunky pearl necklace, my huge vintage gold flower earrings and a pair of black stilettos, with a gold heel…..or for a more casual look, I’d wear it with a solid tank, a chunky necklace, and jeweled flats :)
GORGEOUS-NESS! Very Carrie Bradshaw <3
Brittany at DigitallyLUX
I love how you mixed prints with polka dots.
My first instinct is to pair a scoopneck fitted tank with this and a statement necklace… I would also pair it with a chambray sleeveless button-down that ties at the waist for a more casual look!
Absolutely love this skirt! Floral print looks so pretty on you!!
Love the skirt and how you mixed prints, super cute.
I’d probably pull out one of the neon colors in the skirt for my top and some killer heels!
love full skirts with little crop tops. I’d pair them with crisp white men’s style button downs too. :)
It’s hard to believe you were ever bullied about how you dressed because you have such an incredible sense of style… but the most beautiful flowers bloom in adversity :)
xox,
Cee