DESIGNER PROFILE – Kentel Townsend
Kentel is a seasoned professional experienced in revitalizing and launching products from design development to bulk production with domestic and international experience (India, Mauritius and the Middle East, Hong Kong and China).
What is your employment status?
KT: Employed – English Laundry
What is your official job title?
KT: Senior Designer
Please summarize your professional career in 1 to 3 sentences; what should everyone know about you?
KT: Seasoned design professional experienced in revitalizing and launching products from design development to bulk production with domestic and international experience.
Describe what you do?
KT: Currently manage design and development for menswear cut & sew knits line. From design concept to bulk I ensure that product is innovative and fresh. I pride myself on my efficient process management skills to streamline and expedite all product development enabling speed to market.
Why did you choose to be a designer?
KT: I’ve always believed that clothing was not just aesthetic but a form of communication. A way to speak or give an impression of who one is. An artist by nature, fashion to me was a great medium to express my creative vision.
What steps did you take to become a designer?
KT: I began as a fashion illustrator and then assistant designer my junior in high school. I furthered my education in college and worked in custom design simultaneously. I worked in a bridal shop for three and a half years during college to support my education and further my hands-on knowledge of garment construction and pattern development. Much of my focus being custom design it really broadened my skills and knowledge on garment construction outside of the academic setting. The greatest thing I learned was flexibility. I learned various ways to construct garments that I carry to this day.
What is the best/most challenging part of your job?
KT: I would say the most challenging part are the challenges themselves. There are many in the business from lead times, factory limitations, availability of necessary yarns or trims. Being able to adapt quickly and creatively is really paramount to success. I am a firm believer you have to be just as resourceful as you are creative if not more.
If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
KT: I originally wanted to be an architect when I was younger.
What do you like about what you do?
KT: Seeing the final product after all the work is done and seeing my designs unexpectedly in the real world.
What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
KT: That it’s easy and that its all glamour, runway shows and parties.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
KT: Head of my own clothing line and creating a brand with a larger purpose.
How has your work evolved since you began your career?
KT: It has become more defined and geared toward technical details. I originally had a bigger focus on womens but it completely shifted when I began my career.
Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
KT: Not really a trend or hype driven person. So if it’s not a true investment piece for me I’m not really sold. There can be a lot waste in fashion so I try to tread lightly.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
KT: Functional futuristic concepts. Micro textures, carefully placed pops of color like vibrant neon’s, I’m really into reflective accents as well right now as well.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
KT: Patience and resilience.
What advice would you give to young designers?
KT: If this is your dream and passion, don’t let anything get you jaded. Stay focused and strive for your vision. Invest in yourself and never stop creating.
What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
KT: Complete development of my capsule collection.
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
KT: Not superstitious, but I do believe you get back what you put out in the universe. I only try to keep positive energy around me as negativity can wreak havoc on the creative mind.
What’s your motto?
KT: Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.
Other (feel free to tell the readers anything about you that we didn’t ask)
KT: Never compare your path or success to what others have done or are doing. While keeping up on current trends and new resources is important don’t get hung up on what everyone else is chasing. Uniqueness and and authentic vision can get you farther than you may realize.
Seasoned professional experienced in revitalizing and launching products from design development to bulk production with domestic and international experience (India, Mauritius and the Middle East, Hong Kong and China).