Each week we will be highlighting one of the fabulous emerging designers from Phoenix Fashion Week 2018. This week, meet fashion designer MollyKate Cline, just 19 years old and the owner and designer of MollyKate Cline, a clothing line rooted in love.
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
First fashion job: My first fashion job was working as a seamstress at a prom and bridal store when I was 17, which inspired me to create prom dresses for my friends and I.
When did you know you had a passion for fashion: I knew when I was 7 years old that I had a passion for fashion because I would get my spelling tests back, and draw outfits for each of my classmates on the back of the paper. My teacher would hang my designs up on the wall, and it made me feel better about myself. When I was 9, my name changed from ‘Molly Ross’ to ‘MollyKate Cline’ through adoption, and I thought my new name made me sound even more like a fashion designer…that’s when fashion design became my life plan.
Person who has impacted your life the most: Definitely my father, I lost him when I was 9 and it put a burning desire in my heart to make him proud “one day” He always wanted me to go to college since that was something he never did, and at 10 years old I started researching design schools. I was on a mission to become a fashion designer and make my dad proud… and 10 years later, I still am.
Your biggest fashion accomplishment in your eyes: This past year I created a 6 piece couture collection that told the story of the Bible and traveled to New York City to show it to the world. This is by far my greatest fashion accomplishment because so much hard work went into this collection including studying Scripture, hand sewing flowers, and repurposing recycled fabric. I ended up photographing my line and turning it into a book for young boys and girls to read God’s word with visual representation through fashion design. I sold the book to donate money back to Christian outreach, and months later, my line was shown at a nationwide Christian conference inspiring young teens to follow their dreams through Christ. You really can’t ask for anything better, I owe it all to Him!
The biggest obstacle you have overcome: My fight with anxiety and depression — I lost my father to suicide, so growing up I’ve found it hard not to slip and want to do the same as my father. I’ve since come to handle my depression through finding Jesus these past couple of years, but my anxiety is still something I struggle with daily. I think it’s important to understand that mental illness affects all of us in some way or another, and we all have good seasons and bad seasons in our journeys and that’s perfectly normal!
A designer who inspires you: Elie Saab! I love how their pieces are often simple silhouettes with adornments such as 3D florals, appliques, lace, and other embellishments. It makes me feel like each piece is created uniquely, just like all of us are, too!
Favorite quote: “le talent n’a pas d’âge” It’s French for, “Talent is Ageless” This was printed on a sign in the Paris airport terminal and it was the first thing I saw when I stepped off the plane at 17 years old to photograph one of my collections in France. I felt so empowered in that moment knowing that my age doesn’t matter….just like how I feel in Phoenix Fashion Week this year! I’m the youngest designer and sometimes I can be hard on myself for it!
Advice to someone pursuing a career in fashion as a designer: The Internet is your best friend! Always be researching new ways to do things, techniques you want to learn, programs to help you, contest opportunities, internships, advice from other designers, looking for inspiration, listening to Podcasts…..basically, if you can dream it, you can do it.
Favorite piece you have ever designed: My ‘Creation’ dress! This is the first piece in my collection depicting the Bible, and this piece represents Genesis and the Garden of Eden! It is made from 100% recycled materials because I believe we cannot glorify God’s creations if we are contributing to fast fashion and pollution within the fashion industry, harming God’s planet He created for us.
How has the Phoenix Fashion Week #DesignerBootcamp impacted your brand? Phoenix Fashion Week has absolutely transformed my brand and we are not even half way through! Before this, I had never gone into production before. Now, I’m working with a manufacturing company and learning the ins and outs of the wholesale world. This is everything I need to turn my BRAND into a BUSINESS! I can only imagine where the rest of bootcamp will take us!
If you would like to attend Phoenix Fashion Week 2018, you can purchase tickets here: eventbrite.com. Use promo code FABAZ for a $20 gift card good towards any seat (not applicable towards standing room tickets).
Phoenix Fashion Week 2018 Emerging Designer Lineup
Thursday, Oct. 18 (Lifestyle):
Activ Intimates
Nani Swimwear
Rockin Street Wear
WVSH
Friday, Oct. 19 (Contemporary):
Being Dapper
Cody Chris Collection
MollyKate Cline
SiSi Aduke
Saturday, Oct. 20 (Ready to Wear):
Amanda Casarez
Chau Chic Designs
Orlando Dugi
Zelenco