Monday, May 10, 2010

Meet Your New Favorite Designer: Mesela


Many of you don’t know who Kristen Grimes Files is just yet but honey let me tell you, you better find out! Kristen is sure to become a household name in the VERY near future. Her clothing line Mesela is taking off and is uber fabulous. Kristen has taken fashion to another level with her love and use of feathers. When she’s not freezing her bottom off in Alaska, she’s designer beautiful clothing. Her feather wedding dress was a crowd favorite during Midwest Fashion Week and I’m excited to see what’s next. All of her handmade pieces are for sale and can be yours as soon as you order! Honey, you better get your Mesela pieces while they’re still in your price range! I was lucky enough to interview the busy designer, check out what she had to say about all of the fabulous things going on in her world.



Q: Tell my readers a little about you. Who is Kristen?

A: Well, I suppose I am just your average girl. I love my family more than anything. I believe in Karma and I believe that everything happens for a reason. I am extremely laid back and easy going. I am probably one of the most kind, thoughtful and considerate people you will ever meet. I take pride in my honesty and my standards. I am a Fabulous mama to my children, a fun, witty and adoring partner and I am the best friend you will ever have. I am eternally grateful for the incredible opportunities and doors that have opened for me and I am beyond thankful for all of the kind, amazing people that I have met, and continue to meet along the way.

Q: What does Mesela mean and how did you come up with the name?

A: Mesela is a name I came up with after many many days of brainstorming and quiet thoughtful moments. Mesela stands for everything I am, everything that has made me who I am and who I will become. Mesela stands for the most important part of my life, which are my amazing children. The word 'Mesela' is a combination of my children’s names.

Q: How did you get into fashion?

A: I got into fashion, believe it or not, through my children. I saw a feather tutu on a baby in a portrait and immediately fell in love. After searching high and low for one to buy, and coming up empty handed, I decided to make one. It turned out absolutely adorable and an infatuation with feathers was born. I began seeking out other feather inspired clothing and accessories and decided, with my lack luster findings, that I would try my hand at designing. Seems to have been a good decision :)


Q: Everything in your world seems to be happening so fast, walk us through how you got here!

A: Wow, it's kind of difficult to think about. It truly does not feel like I started designing 3 months ago! SO much has happened I'm not really sure even where to begin... I suppose from the beginning would be best? ;) So After I had decided to become a designer I started with a few accessories, posted them on Model Mayhem and, literally, within 1 week of posting the pictures I received an email from someone I would soon become fabulous friends with, YOU! Ta'Keisha found me and invited me to Midwest Fashion Week as a featured designer! I was SO excited but SO terrified at the same time! I had JUST started, I didn't even have any clothing pieces yet and Midwest Fashion Week was 6 weeks away! So began the whirlwind of learning to sew, not only with fabric but also with feather. I completed an entire 14 piece collection in 6 weeks including a fairly famous feather trained wedding gown! It was pure insanity and a WHOLE LOTTA Redbull!! I still really have no idea how I pulled it all together. After Midwest Fashion Week it has just been one door opening after another. I received a call from Project Runway, found out I will be not only showing in New York Fashion Week in September but I will also be Headlining! I also will be producing my line and submitting to the global market by August of this year! So many other things have happened since Midwest Fashion Week but those are definitely the major points!

Q: Who are some of your favorite designers?

A: I get asked this question ALL the time, and it's pretty hilarious because my response is, I don't have any favorite, because I don't know who any of them are! I am so new to this industry that I haven't even had a chance to look around and see what everyone else is doing. Although I know names I would not be able to tell you what their styles are. I can also say my work has been likened to Alexander McQueen and Oscar De la Renta. Which, I've been told, are two of the most successful designers in the industry. This was a HUGE compliment and one I will never forget.


Q: If you could dress any celeb who would it be and why?

A: This is another tough question because I don't watch TV and I don't read magazines but from the few I know of I would say Lady Gaga for designing something completely outrageous and fun because she would be able to pull it off in public, and Sandra Bullock because I think she is absolutely beautiful and I love every movie I have ever seen her in.

Q: Where do you see Mesela in 5 years?

A: Wow, this is a difficult question too. If all these amazing things have happened in just a short 3 months I can't imagine where I will be in 5 years! I know without a doubt that I will be an internationally recognized designer. My pieces will be walking every red carpet event. I will have several lines and several different labels. Over and above that I am beyond thrilled to find out what the next 5 years hold. It's going to be, and has already been, an incredible ride

Q: What's next for Mesela?

A: Next I am currently working on the holiday collection 'Midnight in Wonderland' as well as my spring/summer accessory collection both of which will be walking in my premier Alaskan Fashion Show on May 22nd in Anchorage Alaska. After that I will be working hard to prepare my spring/summer collection that will be headlining in New York in September. I will also be taking a trip to New York in June to meet with various boutiques, fabric mills, etc. in July my collection will be mass produced and in August I will be submitting to the global/international markets. I have much to do but I look forward to every minute of it and cannot wait to see the person that I don't know walking down the street in something I created. That will be the most incredible moment of my new found career.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk with you about my new found love! Don't forget to follow us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/meseladesigns and on our website http://www.meselastudios.com/


Shop Mesela here

Live..Life..Fabulously  TVR
 
Pics from Scott Romer, Brian Logan and Polina Osherov

No comments:

Post a Comment