This Week's Feature: Novel Approach Designs by Kari Bryde

Kari Bryde, Novel Approach designer.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

Kari Bryde is the owner and designer for Novel Approach jewelry, which is the first jewelry label to ever get the opportunity to show their designs at Little Rock Fashion Week.  Not only is Bryde a multi-talented designer, she is also very involved in the community supporting such causes as the Ovarian Cancer Reseach Foundation, The Anthony School in Little Rock and the Arkansas Chapter of the American Heart Association.  Bryde is currently creating a "Limited Edition" stiletto necklace for The Compassion Fashion Project to help us raise funds for our cause.  She will be at our next event with these fabulous new pieces for auction, so stay tuned for our special Swap for Good party we are planning in conjunction with Today's THV's Monika Rued and the Moms Like Me site.

Her designs captivated the audience at Little Rock Fashion Week as her models cascaded down the runway in simple garments to accentuate her accessories.  The sparkle that came from each piece was a reflection of Bryde's personality as seen in the following interview.

Novel Approach jewelry at Little Rock Fashion Week 2011.
Photo by: Ejji Studios  / Little Rock Fashion Week, LLC

What is your training in design and how has this prepared you for working in the fashion industry?

My education is in interior design. When you design a “space” you have to pay attention to every possible vantage point. I use the same criteria in designing women’s jewelry. The piece has to look appealing and flattering from every angle on the body – people don’t sit still! I also have an appreciation for negative space… I like skin showing through the jewelry and shadows larger pieces can create.

Novel Approach at Little Rock Fashion Week 2011.
Photo by: Ejji Studios/ Little Rock Fashion Week, LLC 

What one piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in fashion?

That’s hard!  May I ask for advice instead?  Honestly, you have to be steps (not one step) ahead.  Fashion is about what’s coming.  If you are creating looks that are popular, you are already behind.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

Clothing, period.  I love the personalities of fabric and clothing designs – they tell a story and jewelry is the punctuation. When I look at clothes I immediately begin to think about what jewelry I would want to wear with the particular garment.  I am a theme addict!  I love to research what “temperature” fashion is moving toward and where we are in reinterpreting historical styles.  I take my inspiration from those nuances.  I also kind of have a trend sixth sense.  At least I have so far. I kind of get in the mood for something and I soon see it in stores or referenced in clothing.  I’m careful to not be too confident in that sixth sense – I don’t want the gift to leave me, but I am willing to take risks. Not all designs are successes… believe me. Taking the risk is an education opportunity and I guess I usually get lucky!

How would you describe the fashion industry in Arkansas and what changes would you like to see happen, if any?

I do believe we have amazing creativity and taste.  Aesthetics are our strong suit, but without a doubt, I would like to see Arkansas better embrace its own.  I am constantly amazed how retailers outside our state will take a chance on carrying an independent line and retailers within the state seem to want to only carry brands that have made it elsewhere first.

What is the best perk in being a designer?

I can make high end jewelry for myself, family, and friends.  I love wearing the “good stuff” and I love to see the look on a family member or friend’s face when I can gift them something they would not buy for themselves.

Novel Approach jewelry design.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

What is the most difficult aspect of running your own label?

For me personally, it is selling it.  If you or someone else made something I admired, I would have no reservations about putting it in front of someone and going on and on about how amazing it was, but I am the worst at talking up my own work.  As I answer this question, I realize I should not be divulging any of this!

Novel Approach jewelry design.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

What trends do you foresee being big in fall/winter 2011?

I think we are headed back to a look of elegance.  Beauty is back, but reinvented with modern lines.  Rich velvets are returning. There will always be an “edge” to fall fashion, but clothing has returned to flattering the female form. Deconstruction will give way to organized construction, a somewhat neat and tidy look but, as new fashion always dictates, it must be a modernized resurgence.

Novel Approach jewelry design.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

When did you first realize you wanted to be a designer?

I’m not sure I remember not being interested in design.

Novel Approach jewelry design.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

What was the first piece you ever constructed?

A sterling charm style bracelet made from my grandmother’s broken vintage strand of clear, faceted lead crystals.  I still have it.

Novel Approach jewelry design.
Photo provided by: Kari Bryde

Can you describe your line and where can people find your designs?

 “Au courant” designs are made with high end components and craftsmanship.  The “big stuff” is over the top and the “simple” pieces celebrate minimalism – I admire the value in both ends of the spectrum.  It’s all about time and place – you do not always have to look like a dining room table set for 12… you can wear one simple, pretty piece and rock that quite well! My work is currently for sale on http://styleoutsidethebox.com/.

Have a look at Novel Approach's lookbooks:

*Simply click on the following images and you will be taken directly into the lookbooks*

Open publication - Free publishing - More artisan

Open publication - Free publishing - More artisan

Open publication - Free publishing - More artisan

Open publication - Free publishing - More artisan

This Week's Feature: Little Rock Fashion Week 2011

Ejji Studios / Visit Little Rock Fashion Week for more photos

 

Little Rock Fashion Week has been a friend to The Compassion Fashion Project for some time now and we would like to take this week to honor their efforts in putting on a fabulous event last week.  All week long between July 11-16, Little Rock Fashion Week hosted various fashion and entertainment related experiences to enjoy.  I attended the Media Mixer at the Lulav on July 13 and The Posh Expression Fashion Show on July 16.

Photo by: Amber Davis Besancon

The Media Mixer was a gathering of media and fashion industry folks who support Brandon Campbell, Little Rock Fashion Week producer, and his endeavours to bring business, fashion and entertainment to the community.  Models were all glammed up in their trendy gear and there was even a sneak preview of each collection on an around the room catwalk.  If you made it early enough to the event, you caught a glimpse of models posing in still life positions like mannequins.  Art filled the walls of the rooms, which created almost a museum vibe for guests to have plenty of eye candy to gaze upon.  Listening to a jazzy saxaphone player while chatting with old friends and new was the toast of the town.  

July 16 was the most anticipated event of the week, The Posh Expression.  This was the major fashion show of the week and included many designers of various areas of expertise.  I will highlight each one of these designers in special exclusive interviews and articles that I will post links to on our Facebook page, so come on over and be a fan to stay posted on all topics local fashion related.  When it comes to musical entertainment, Brandon Campbell does not disappoint.  The opening of the show was kicked off with live music and the entire event was hosted by Peter Bailey of NBC's Miami Nitecap and Ashley Blackstone from Today's THV.  

For more photos visit Little Rock Fashion Week photo gallery Photo by: Ejji Studios

The repeated trends coming down the catwalk were animal prints, cape jackets, lace, and a lot of satin fabric belts that tied into bows at the back of the waist.  The show's first designer is actually a painter, but decided to try his hand at fashion this year using what he knows best...body paints.  Christopher Youngstar chose to paint male models only into a fantasy of black and white suit and tux inspired designs.  Laurie B. Allen of Laurella was the second designer showing all the way from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Cascading fourteen looks down the runway, Allen showed her versatility from with day and evening looks using a wide array of textures, fabrics and patterns.  KH Designs was a breath of fresh air with his modern twist on fashion.  This designer, Kelvin Haydon, was a true gem with the shoulders of each creation exuding his creativity-pointed shoulders, puff sleeves and even some Japanese inspired garments made this show original and high end.

Wynika Smith from Atlanta, Georigia, designer for Splendid Fever, showed ten designs with some 80's influence along with some other interesting looks giving way to many second glances.  Her aesthetic was scarf-like, flowing and edgy with that belted look throughout.  The crowd pleaser was certainly children's wear designers Misty Hunkler and Heather Mcquire with Serendipity Designz.  To learn more about this brand, visit my finished article/interview with the two on the Little Rock Examiner.   Natasha Rawls with Najo exhibited wonderful construction with the ten piece collection.  Rawls perpetuated that animal print trend in many of her pieces with a professional twist.


Kari Bryde of Novel Approach was the only jewelry designer to ever show at Little Rock Fashion Week.  She sent ten designs down the runway accompanied by simple attire to accentuate her accessories.  Bryde uses sparkle, chains, silver, gold, beads and pearls for a dramatic effect.  It was beautiful.  Raul Torres showed the most designs with sixteen pieces including a finale wedding dress.  Watch a recent showing from Raul Torres in this video below.

Photo by: Arkansas En Espanol  

Sheila Scott of N'chole Feroce showed fourteen pieces in her collection and exemplified many of the trends we were seeing including animal prints and capes.  Evening wear was mixed in with professional and fun attire, too.  Finally, the much anticipated  Nicole McGehee collection was the final to show and she did an 80's inspired collection full of busteir tops incorporated into dresses and pantsuits.  Overall, the event was a fun night, full of much talent and fashion.  Little Rock Fashion Week has proven to seek out original designers with a special flair and variety.

So, who was my favorite designer....I'll never tell...well, I did have to vote for the "Designer of the Year" award, but I'll not reveal.  Actually, there were many things I liked about many of these amazing designers.  I think the most important aspect for a designer in this particular type of show is to think about your audience.  There was one designer that I felt was cohesive, wearable and everything was just really pretty.

 The Compassion Fashion Project was able to connect with many of these wonderful designers, onlookers and business owners.  We passed out business cards and promoted our mission every chance possible and I believe that this networking opportunity will benefit our mission and enlighten our future of helping to supply women living in domestic violence shelters with the proper attire needed for starting their new lives.  I will keep you updated on the progress we made from this event.  In fact, stay tuned for next week's feature and you will see our first wonderful connection we made for our cause.