Kate Miles: A young girl with big dreams

Kate Miles is a 15-year old student and designer from Oregon who showed at Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter15 in Vancouver, BC. That's right...her very own collection! Who says dreams don't come true?

We interviewed the talented, young designer following Vancouver Fashion Week.

How did you get into sewing and fashion?
I've always loved colour and fabric. I started sewing when I was 4, making doll clothes and selling them. One lady saw the doll clothes and said she wanted it but for her wedding dress.

Have you ever received any formal training?
No, my grandma taught me quilting and how to use the sewing machine and my high school Home Ec teacher taught me how to make patterns. Everything else I pretty much figured out on my own.

What was the inspiration behind your collection for Vancouver Fashion Week?
It was based on the 1930s. I love vintage style, it's so feminine. After World War 1 fashion exploded and those ideas were really cool but they have disappered a bit so I'm bringing them back.

Have you set your sights on any other Fashion Week?
Not exactly, I'm still in school so I'll wait and see what happens. Next month though I'll be doing the Couve Couture Spring Fashion Show in Washington State.

Do you have a favourite type of clothing you like to design?
I like making couture bridal and evening gowns. I have an Etsy shop and people contact me for something special. I like making one of a kind, custom pieces more than anything.

How would you describe your personal style?
I was raised on a farm so I dress in my brother's hand-me-downs. It really depends on what I'm doing. It's usually jeans and boots for feeding the cows but I also dress up for church. I never really sew for myself except for something special like my dress for Vancouver Fashion Week. I like shopping at thrift stores because I think about the stories behind the clothing...who wore them and what they did.

What advice would you give another young person trying to break into the Fashion Industry?
Start by helping others and building relationships. I apprenticed with a Set stylist and tried to learn all I could. Without connections there is no way I could be here.

Is there anyone in the industry you look up to?
I like Elie Saab. I love his style and I get what he is saying with his art.

What have you learnt from your experiences so far?
I have nothing to lose from dreaming big. If it doesn't work out I wouldn't be crushed because I already had these fantastic opportunities and when I'm 18 and need to make decisions about my future I can make better choices because I already had a taste for this.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years and beyond?
I'm doing my Associate degree at Community College so I'll have my 3 years of college completed by grade 11. Then I want to go into Art shcool and do an advanced degree. I also want to do an International internship because I love travelling and I want to incorporate my designs into that.

In the long run I would like to start having my designs produced in Cambodia. In Cambodia, women have to get into the sex trade or live on the street. I know some people who work in an orphanage there so maybe I could teach sewing in a school so that girls can work in a factory instead of turning to prostitution. It's a crazy idea but it would be great if I could do something to change that.