KRELwear at SET

Karelle Levy

Miami Beach, FL – May 16, 2013 – If you haven’t heard of Miami-based clothing designer Karelle Levy, she’s the one behind the knitwear label KRELwear. Throughout the past ten years, her body-hugging knitwear has been featured in publications like Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Ocean Drive, New York Magazine, The New York Times, The Miami Herald, Women’s Wear Daily, and many others. Most recently, her neon DiscGlo collection has been the one getting a lot of attention as a funky, raver-like line of fun pieces.

Levy got her BFA in textile design from the Rhode Island School of Design and started designing costumes for dance and theater productions, even performing in some herself. As she picked up the spool and needle, she found more creativity and freedom in knitting costumes for the experimental movement performances. It was from these performances that the first fashion-forward pieces of the KRELwear line were born. Since then, KRELwear has become a well-known avant grade expression, with Levy creating a fusion of art and fashion not only in her refreshingly original designs, but also in their presentations.

From dresses, sweaters, skirts, tanks, and jumpers to accessories like hats, scarves, and leg warmers, the options in the KrelWear line are about as endless as the massive balls of yarn used to create them. They can be worn in a variety of ways too. Many pieces are convertible, reversible, and mix-and-matchable, and are all one of a kind. You can even make an appointment with Levy herself to get a custom, made-to-order piece to perfectly fit your body. The great thing about her designs is that they’re all very comfortable, breathable, and suit any and every body type.

Last Thursday, her DiscGlo collection was featured in a fashion presentation at SET nightclub, a perfect setting for the party wear that the outfits embody. Levy and her team of models were all decked out in the wild getups, with each girl getting a personal black light to let the knits really glow. As they made their way out into the crowd, they dispersed to walk amongst the party people. Towering over everyone in their light-up platform shoes, the girls danced and mingled with the crowd, making for a way more interactive experience than any catwalk can provide. We caught up with Levy, who has recently moved back from New York, to hear more about her love for her hometown and the fun, sexy collection.

World Red Eye: You started in Miami, then took KRELwear up to New York City, and recently moved back. How does it feel to be back in the city you started the brand?

Karelle Levy: I am so happy to be home! NYC did give me some lessons, and I wouldn’t be so appreciative of my community unless I went there. I learned to use public transportation, how important fresh air is to me, and that people in Miami LOVE to wear color. I’m lucky to be from Miami, and as much as I love New York, I don’t miss it at all- just my friends. I didn’t realize how spoiled I was in Miami, until I left. My work requires me to travel, and this is an amazing place to come back home to. It’s a beautiful city, I have a view of the water, the air is fresh, the streets are clean, the women are not afraid to show their bodies, and the colors are everywhere. I realized how much of a Miami designer I really am.

WRE: What’s the inspiration for the DiscGlo collection?

KL: DiscGlo has now developed into a five year project. Since the crash of the economy, I decided it was time to have fun again. I was so busy trying hard to fit into the normal market, and all of a sudden I went from 43 boutiques to three. So I went back to making things by hand, one of a kind. At the same time, because I went to trade shows, I met a yarn distributor. I found Mr. Sparkles, as we liked to call him at the studio. Doug Kreinik of Kreinik Yarns, the US rep for Lurex, which is the leading company for metallic yarns, came by to show his collection of yarns.  We noticed some of the yarns glowed in the dark, and then some of them glowed in black light, and we thought ‘how much fun is that?!’ I threw all ‘sellable’ ideas out the window and just made fun, glowing clothes. Miami was a huge inspiration, where we wear color, and go from day to night to day. The club culture is ingrained in my system. From the time Washington Square and the Cameo theater showed live acts like the Beastie Boys, to when the Kitchen Club was the ‘it’ club in high school. I’ve been partying it up for over 20 years in Miami. I’ve seen so much change, but nightlife is always prevalent!

WRE: What projects are you working on now and coming up in the near future?

KL: I’m making things for a trunk show in Bridge Hamptons at a private residence. Also, I’m about to start my production of 102 handmade hot shorts and micro minis for a boutique in St. Barths called Wild Side. I’m getting ready to go to Central Saint Martins in London for a summer course called Experimental Knitwear Fashion. I’m very excited to learn new techniques and be in London town with my fiancé.

WRE: Your ‘fashion shows’ are always unique in that your models interact with the audience, rather than the impersonal strutting down a catwalk. Would you say this has become a signature style for you?

KL: I believe clothes are meant to be lived in, moved, and felt. When you break that third wall, get up close and personal, it becomes less intimidating. I love a good runway show, but they don’t last very long, and in the blink of an eye, it’s over. I want my audience to experience the clothes and get a more intimate experience with them. I find it gives a personality to the brand.

WRE: Some of your one pieces have very interesting cuts and silhouettes. Where do you come up with some of these crazy ideas?

KL: At the end of the day, I’m just a textile designer that makes fabric you put on your body. They are unique by design, and in a way the fabric dictates the form. The body is like the canvas, and the clothes are like paint.

WRE: How do you see some of your more radical designs being worn outside of high fashion parties?

KL: I think my clothes are versatile. From cocktail parties to night clubs, there are different styles for different occasions. But then again, they are great on performers too. Nicki Minaj wore my clothes on David Letterman, among other times. I love hearing from my clients that their pieces are still in their closets, and that they always get so many compliments when they wear them.

WRE: Where can we find your stuff on sale now?

KL: I have a great new studio on Lincoln Road at ArtCenter where people can set up appointments. It’s also available online through my website, Wild Side boutique in St. Barths, and I tend to do trunk shows all over the world. I wouldn’t consider myself easy to buy from, but it’s definitely worth the experience.

Beau Beasley

Stefanie Smolski