Kimberly Hendrix  of k.hendrix always had an eye for beauty and creativity, working as an interior designer, vintage collector, and seamstress prior to moving to LA to chase her dream of fashion design. Since then Kimberly co-designed a fall 2008 Mercedez Benz collection, had pieces featured in Vogue, and garments worn by A-list celebrities, among other achievements. Each piece in her collection is unique, beautiful, and made from 100% reclaimed and recycled vintage materials. Thanks to her use of recycled materials, Kimberly was also applauded as an eco-conscious designer by the Sustainatopia Awards 2012.

1. What does fashion mean to you? Fashion is expression for me. Not expression of style and trends, as much as expression of one’s true self. I love seeing people transform themselves when they dress up or even dress down. There is a comfort level that people find and they let themselves just be.
2. What do you hope to bring to Tampa Bay’s fashion scene? I would love to see Tampa Bay branch itself out. Not always being the trendy city with everyone wearing the exact same dress in a different color. I would love to see individualism stand out as it does in bigger cities and other countries.
3. What matters to you the most as a designer? Making things I love and sharing them with others, using what I do to inspire people in many areas of life, not just fashion.
4. What makes your line unique? My line is just that, unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, all recycled materials. The pieces always fit each customer, as if it was made just for them. And they will never see someone else wearing the exact same thing. My stuff is unfinished and raw for a reason. I don’t like people thinking these clothes are too precious to actually wear out anytime, dressed up or down. People should create their own look with the pieces rather than wearing them only as they saw them in the store window.
5. You are one of our returning designers. What was your favorite part of last year’s show, and what are you looking forward to most about this year’s show? I love the fashion chaos that goes on behind the scenes at Fashion Week. There is this amazing energy with all the designers putting their very best together to showcase and it is inspiring. For me, personally, each year in September I feel like my designs go through a rebirth and transformation. I try something brand new and I push it as far as I can to surprise people.

~Stephanie