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| Kingi Carpenter of Peach
Berserk jokes
that her foray into funky fashion began with a visit to Paris. Frustrated
that she couldn’t find any dresses with the Eiffel Tower on ‘em,
she decided to just make her own. She took a course in silkscreening,
designed her own pattern and has never looked back! Now, over 15 years
later, she has a playful range of over 100 patterns in her peachy collection
and has become a master of her craft, so much so that she gives lessons!
If you are in Toronto you can take one of her workshops in her super
cute store or take Kingi home for private instruction with her new
DVD, Silkscreen
Workshop and Biz Tips for Misfits, available only at fredflare.com. Okay, Kingi... Peach Berserk? Where in the heck did that name come from?! It’s a nail polish color from my favorite book, Sex and the Single Girl by the fabulous Helen Gurly Brown. It was written in 1962, but really influenced my life. “Peach Berserk” just jumped out at me in glorious living colour! I knew it was my destiny. Tell us a bit about how you started your own fashion line 15 years ago. Where do you see yourself in the next 15 years? I started my empire in the most ramshackle way. I lived in a one-room apartment with my underemployed boyfriend, with a bathroom we shared with the folks down the hall. I hardly had any money, education, or business experience... but I didn't care. I loved silkscreening and making groovy fashion. I would make a few cute dresses, throw them in a garbage bag, jump on my bike, and beg cool downtown stores to take them. As for the next 15 years... I hope to earn the title of Silkscreen Master of the Planet Earth! Your new DVD Silkscreen Workshop is amazing! How did this project come to be? For years I’ve taught a really funky Silkscreen Workshop in my store. Still do. Lots of my students would say “Man, this is so cool... Why don't you put this genius information on DVD???” Finally I listened to their wise words and here ya go... Wow! Do you find you learn a lot from your own students? Well, truth be told, I often want to steal their cool ideas! But seriously, the best way to learn a subject is to teach it. I am lucky so many people want to learn from me! We love your approach! You show not only how to master silkscreening but also how to start a creative business on a budget. What quick advice could you give our readers who dream of venturing out on their own? DIG THE NEW BREED. That is my main advice. Working for yourself is the new way to go. Decide what makes you truly happy, and go for it! We imagine you must rock out to loud music when you work! What's spinning in your CD player these days? Mostly creaky old British punk rock. Louder the better! Celeb dish! Everybody knows that you have some pretty famous clients like Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Portia de Rossi and Patricia Field. Who would you love to dress? I want to dress that special fabulous kinda chick who wants to look sexy funky gorgeous and slightly crazy, all at the same time. 03/12/04 |
