Alumni

Sneak Peek at Karen Kane Spring 2022 Catalog

FIDM Alumna Karen Kane launched her fashion brand in 1979 and is now a Certified B Corporation. Widely recognized as the gold standard for responsible business, B corps are committed to practicing the highest social and environmental standards and are committed to using business as a force for good in the world.

In their Spring 2022 catalog, the designer shares the timeline of the launch of her company and the role her family has played in their success. 

Page 28 highlights a photo of her and her family attending the FIDM DEBUT Runway Show in 2012 with the caption, “A proud alumna of the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Karen partnered with FIDM on a competition to give students the chance to design a dress that could become part of her collection. In addition, it also offered high school students an opportunity to win a full one-year scholarship to attend FIDM.”

Karen Kane and her husband Lonnie launched the company out of their garage in Studio City, California. Over forty years later, the brand is as strong as ever. Headquartered just outside of Downtown Los Angeles, in the city of Vernon, Karen Kane is sold in most major department stores and over 550 specialty boutiques across the country. Proud of her alma mater, Karen serves on the Advisory Board at FIDM.

In a previous interview with the designer, she said, "Going to FIDM taught me the essential details about the fashion industry and gave me a foundation to start a company right after graduating from school. I already knew how to sew when I started at FIDM, but learning about design basics and pattern making were huge steps in preparing me for a career right out of school. Understanding those concepts made pursuing my dream a reality."

In the catalog, Karen describes the inspiration behind her latest collection. “For Spring 2022, I hoped to channel the Italian motto of ‘la dolce vita’ (the sweet life). It’s all about balancing comfort and nature, appreciating the good things in life (like art and fashion), and appreciating every new day.”

Styles include tiered eyelet, lace, and chambray dresses, cable knit sweaters, high waist pleated shorts, and dolman sleeve tops, among many other looks.

The catalog also brings Italian cooking into the mix and includes a spread of the designer preparing the Italian summer dish, Pasta al Limone, “a simple summer pasta that’s tasty, bright, and deliciously lemony,” with the recipe.

The Karen Kane Spring 2022 catalog will be arriving in homes the week of February 14th.

Follow Karen Kane on Instagram @karenkane.

Categories:  Fashion Design Alumni