slides: 15 Year Old Fashion Designer To Show Collection at Vancouver Fashion Week

Monday, March 09, 2015

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Designer Kate Miles (image cropped)

15 year old fashion designer Kate Miles will show her Fall 2015 collection this month during Vancouver Fashion Week.

“Black and white movies from the ‘30s and ‘40s, with their frivolous trumpet skirts and feminine lines, viewed with the scent of fresh pumpkin pie and the roar of a warm fire in the background,” says Oregon designer Kate Miles when asked what inspired the fall collection.

Along with the flouncy silhouettes, Miles was also inspired by a fall color palette of the “sparkling plum September twilight sky” and “frosty patterns encrypted in early October morning windows.”

Marlene Dietrich Inspired Dress Photo Credit: Jeff Wong

Miles skillfully creates contemporary and spirited designs that incorporate delicate vintage clothing. “It’s like the [vintage] fabric never loses its emotions, and if you are willing to listen they can’t wait to tell you," says Miles.

SLIDES: See Kate's Couture Slideshow BELOW

Miles says the most alluring dress from the new collection is a sparkling graphite color, with a four-inch coat of glitter on the hem that creates a swinging motion. The dress’ bodice is sheer white and hand beaded perfect in showcasing a ornate bralette. “I can picture Marlene Dietrich wearing it in one of her classic movies,” says Miles.

So what does this emerging teen fashion queen think this Spring’s fashion trends will be? "I think that a lot of the more structured, boxy-look will very much be present this spring,” says Miles. “I’ve also noticed a lot of clean and simple lines that are more embellished by jewelry and hair than the garment itself.”

Miles showed her capsule collection of playful dresses made with vintage garments during 2014 Portland Fashion Week. Her dazzling black strapless glass encrusted gown with matching crown was a showstopper.

Up next for Miles is Couve Couture Vancouver, Washington’s spring fashion show in April. In the future Miles hopes to own a boutique like Holly Stalder of Portland boutique HAUNT. “I have been able to imagine having my own business like her's one day,” says Miles. “I walked into her shop and immediately felt a connection with her art. The designs she had hanging on the racks were all so breathtaking and so inspiring to me.”

See Miles’ 2015 Fall Collection during Vancouver B.C. Fashion Week at Queen Elizabeth Plaza, Monday, March 16th to Sunday, March 22nd. For more information click HERE.