West Vancouver resident Kjaer Pedersen has been an artist and a clothing-lover her whole life, but it was only four years ago that she decided to focus her creative talents on fashion.
"I didn't know I could sew. I had no desire to sew previous to that," she says.
While she had little experience with a needle and thread, she was certainly no stranger to the garment business. Her mother, an accomplished seamstress, and her father, a master tailor trained in Denmark, owned a clothing store when she was growing up.
Pedersen went out and bought her first sewing machine because she wanted to create clothing that would flatter women of all shapes and sizes. She was first motivated to launch a collection of ladies' wear when her own body unexpectedly transformed after she quit smoking and she could no longer shop in all the same stores she once had.
"To be honest, I had gained some weight and I just wasn't finding the joy of clothing as I once did and that's when I thought, 'You know what, I think that I could do it.' And lo and behold I could, and I did."
The result of her efforts is K-O.ME (pronounced kay-oh-me), a line of one-of-a-kind garments aimed at women of all ages and sizes. Pedersen cuts her fabrics freehand - experimenting with shapes, angles and draping to achieve the most flattering fit - and sews everything herself in her home studio. Her collection includes jackets, tunics, dresses and more, which range in price from $59 to $189, depending on the fabric used and the labour involved.
"If I had my way, it would be almost all silk and bamboo and natural fibres, but I do a lot of polyester too because there's some ... fabulous fabrics out there on the market, plus I can make the price a lot lower," she says.
Ultimately, Pedersen wants women to look and feel their very best when they slip into a K-O.ME original - and based on customer feedback, that seems to be the case.
"They really do feel fabulous," she says. "I get a lot of returning customers, I have people that are always writing me and telling me how wonderful they feel."
Her predominant market is women aged 40-plus, but sales are not limited to that demographic. "I still have 20 and 30 year olds, and even sometimes teens, so, I mean, it does appeal to everyone because there's such a variety. Everything's different."
Today, Pedersen's personal wardrobe consists mainly of her own creations, so she's a walking billboard for her brand when she's out and about.
"I figure if I'm going to walk around and get compliments, it might as well be for my clothing," she laughs.
Pedersen spent 30 years teaching in the public school system and, as an artist, she has worked in a number of different mediums, including charcoal and clay. She was the artist-in-residence in Maple Ridge for several years, but her current focus is on cloth and her K-O.ME designs.
The garments are sold at select craft markets (including the upcoming Circle Craft outdoor summer market, July 24-27 at Jack Poole Plaza in Vancouver), as well as home parties, pop-up shops and on Etsy (etsy.com/shop/kayohme).
Looking ahead, there is big excitement on the horizon for Pedersen. She is one of four designers who have been selected to showcase their fashions on the runway at the official Lady Gaga after-party when the popstar comes to Vancouver in early August. Pedersen has also been asked to design a piece for both Lady Gaga and her famous friend Lady Starlight.
In the meantime, the designer is hoping to exhibit her pieces in more fashion shows, and says she'd love to help charities in the process.
"There's so many women's groups that are trying to raise money, so if they're having a luncheon, they could invite me and I would give them part of my profits for their fundraising," she says.
The second annual Bikes Against Bullies rally in honour of Amanda Todd is set for Sunday, July 27 and Pedersen has donated a silk jacket for the fundraising auction. She will also donate part of her proceeds from her Circle Craft sales that day when customers mention the name Amanda Todd.
Crafty folks
The North Shore is well represented at Circle Craft's second annual summer market. In addition to Pedersen, other West Vancouver artisans who will have booths set up include Chi's Creations (handmade silver and gold jewelry), Oden Gallery (heirloom-quality wood home furnishings) and Ratatouille Designs (fine linen home decor).
North Vancouver residents selling their creations include Carolyn DiPasquale (functional stoneware ceramics), Creampuff By GG (vintage-inspired hybrid lingerie), Linda Paterson Jewellery (Silver and semi-precious gemstone jewelry) and P.S. Designs (kiln-fired functional glass art).
A total of 88 juried exhibitors from across Canada are participating in the market. Admission is free. Visit circlecraft.net for more information.
