Summer in Hindsight
Q&A with Creatives
from the West 18th Street Fashion Show
Calvin Arsenia
Musical Director, Lead Actor, Harpist
Watch Calvin’s recent TEDxKC performance HERE.
Q&A: Calvin Arsenia
Someone I’d love to work with is…Bjork
I would never go anywhere without…my memories.
I am staying grounded during the pandemic by…creating anyway.
When I’m working or creating I listen to…nothing.
One designer from the show I would love to work with is…all of them!
One fashion trend I would love to bring back is…acid washed jeans.
One fashion trend I would never bring back is…low-rise jeans.
When I’m not working I can be found…working.
I find most inspiration through…telling stories & hearing stories
One piece of advice I would offer to other creatives is…
“Create anyway and create a lot. My career has been sprinkled with lots of discouragements along the way, but I think ultimately the most important thing is to share your story, be vulnerable, and don’t pretend to be anyone else besides yourself.”
Pangea Kali Virga
Nomad Fashion Designer w/ focus on sustainability
Q&A: Pangea Kali Virga
My Fashion icon is…Christian Lacroix. “He inspired me to do what I do.”
One piece in my closet I couldn’t live without…
“a pair of jeans given to me by a past lover. They have been worn to hell; I think at this point they are more shred than denim. They just hold so many memories for me.”
I am staying grounded during the pandemic by…“continuously creating and trying to uplift my community.”
When I’m working or creating I listen to…
"a variety of music and a lot of podcasts. I try to take the opportunity to continue educating myself on a variety of topics, not necessarily related to fashion but also related to fashion.” A couple of favorites: Citations Needed (a commentary on the media) and Conscious Chatter (on sustainable fashion)
One designer from the show I would love to work with is…
One fashion trend I would love to bring back is…
“not caring about fashion trends. I would love for people to think for themselves when it comes to clothing and their self expression.”
A celebrity I would love to design for is…Marina Abramovic, “an extremely influential (Serbian) performance artist”
When I’m not designing I can be found…
“still designing. Traveling, traveling, and probably in the woods, thinking about designing.”
One piece of advice I would offer to other creatives is…
“Have confidence in yourself and don’t allow other people to mess up your narrative. Really listen to your intuition; your principles and your intuition will guide you. Don’t be swayed.”
Khitam Jabr
Film Director
Q&A: Khitam Jabr
I would never go anywhere without…my pinky ring.
I am staying grounded during the pandemic by…cooking at home, mostly lean vegan (inspired by Gaz Oakley).
When I’m working or creating I listen to…
“Emily King. I’ll listen to the same artist for months when getting into a project. For this project it is Emily King.”
One designer from the show I would love to work with is…
Vanshawn Branch
One fashion trend I would love to bring back is…
“It feels like a lot of trends are back, from 80s color blocking to flare pants. I love 60s fashion, Mad Men era.”
One fashion trend I would never bring back is…gauchos and bell bottoms.
When I’m not working I can be found…
“in an Asian market finding spices for a meal I will never get to…”
I find most inspiration through…life: what I see, what I hear.
One piece of advice I would offer to other creatives is…
“Just do it.”
Q&A: Vanshawn Branch
My Fashion icon is…Virgil Abloh (an American designer, entrepreneur, and DJ; artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear collection; CEO Off-White)
One piece in my closet I couldn’t live without…my bracelet from India.
I am staying grounded during the pandemic by…praying.
When I’m working or creating I listen to…all types of music.
One designer from the show I would love to work with is…Pangea
One fashion trend I would love to bring back is…
“Men consistently wearing suits.”
One fashion trend I would never bring back is…
“I don’t think there is one. I believe that fashion is an outward expression of one’s creativity…so I don’t want to stifle anyone’s creativity.”
A celebrity I would love to design for is…Miguel.
When I’m not designing I can be found…cooking.
One piece of advice I would offer to other creatives is…“Follow your heart.”
Q&A: Dion Holt
My Fashion icon is…Lizzo
One piece in my closet I couldn’t live without…a chunky sweater.
I am staying grounded during the pandemic by…
“talking with friends and sewing.”
When I’m working or creating I listen to…“I actually watch Disney movies.”
One designer from the show I would love to work with is…3Minc
One fashion trend I would love to bring back is…anything from the 60s & 70s
One fashion trend I would never bring back is…culottes or stirrup pants.
A celebrity I would love to design for is…Lizzo & Amber Riley
When I’m not designing I can be found…asleep or at work.
One piece of advice I would offer to other creatives is…
“Stay true to who you are, no matter what.”
