The Interview
1) Hello Bert! Could you start by telling me a bit about yourself?
a) About Bert? How much time do you have? I was
raised in Northern Va by my British (from London) mother, Iris, along with my
sister, stepfather and maternal grandparents.
Jumping forward I turned a remarkable 61 years old Nov. 17th. Even more remarkable I am just over 6 years
sober. Life is good!
2) When did you know that you would become a designer?
a) All during my elementary and high school years
it as my interest in history and love of art that kept me engaged in learning
about the world I was born into. In my senior year of high school one day my art teacher noticed
me doodling small fashion croquis / sketches.
She mentioned that maybe I should look into attending a fashion design
school, knowing I did not have the interests or aptitude for a traditional
education. It had never occurred to me
to consider fashion design as a career path up until that moment. After
graduation, I took a year off before applying to the University of Richmond's
Art School and Parsons School for Design in NYC. I was accepted at both… I
think it took me ONE SECOND to decide between Parson's and the thought of
moving to NYC over UVA and Richmond.
3) Who did you first design for?
a) Upon graduation from Parsons I moved to LA with
my partner John. LA back in 1977 was not the fashion hub it is today. It was
basically manufacturers like LEVIS and other nameless companies. I had attended the Coty Awards (predesser to
the CFDA) in NYC just before I moved to
LA, where I saw the runaway show of LA designer Holly Harp. She did high
fashion, but with a contemporary quirky side to it. Anyway I walked into her LA
studio one day and asked if I could work for her. She had never had an
assistant designer before and wasn't all that eager to start. I offered to work
for her for free… maybe just buy my lunch every day, until she could see if it
would work out between us. She agreed and after about a month or so of working
just for my lunch she hired me on full time. Holly was an awesome human and
great mentor. On my first trip to NYC with her and the collection, we showed at
the Plaza Hotel, one morning she announced that she thought since we were half
way to europe already, that we should just make the rest of the trip. And there
we were off to Paris, Rome, Florence and Milan for 2 weeks. It was this on trip that one night at a restaurant /
nightclub n PARIS I came within arms length of my Fashion Idol of all time,
Yves St Laurent. For me, just of of school on my first trip to Paris it was
like seeing god.
I stayed with Holly about 1 1/2 years
until one day I received a telegram (yes
that's how long ago it was) from another fashion idol of mine, Bill
Blass, who offered me a job with him in NYC!
4) Who are your style inspirations?
a) "Fashion Fades, Style is
Eternal" a quote from YSL. This is what I feel defines a great designer;
developing, evolving and staying true to ones style. Designers I admired that
are no longer with us; Balenciaga, Dior, Halston (whom I worked for from
1985-1990). Sadly, today, none of these
houses have the slightest in common with their original style or level of
esthetic.
Living designers I admire, Albert
Kremler… head designer for AKRIS. Donna Karan, has stuck to her guns over the
last few decades. Lastly the two designers for Valentino…although I wish they
would inject a little sexy glamour into their collections.
5) Who is your favorite designer?
a) HALSTON… The original man and concept. Not the
cheap crap under the label today.
6) Just out of curiosity, Michael Kors or Zac Posen?
a) KORS
7) Do you have any trademark things you do to your garments that
lets people know "I am Bert Keeter"? If so, what do you do?
a) Trademark? Wearability, simplicity, lack of
gimmicks. Clean, flattering lines and luxurious fabrics.
8) How was your time on Project Runway?
a) Project Runway was a 100% amazing
experience. I went in really having only watched maybe 1 1/2 episodes in total.
The format, challenges threw me at first…. I didn't realize I'd be making
fashion out of my boxer shorts and pet
supplies. It was extremely physically
and mentally exhausting…after the 2nd or 3rd week of filming time really ceases to exist…you
just get up and go, go go all day…The
Heidi sneaker challenge we were "on camera " for over 24 hours
straight.
9) Do you think your aesthetic has changed after your time on
"Project Runway"? If so, how?
a) When I came home to design and create my
decoy collection for the Mercedes Benz Fashion PR finale event…at first I tried
to design along the lines of the critiques I had been exposed to on the show.
be more editorial, my designs were too simple, they needed to be more this or
that. After two weeks of struggling to accommodate these elements into my
collection I realized I could not stand behind that concept. I started over,
designing 10 looks that really speak to who I am as a designer, clean, sleek
wearable style that let you focus on the woman wearing them first then the
clothes.
Later on FB and other social media I
began to receive posts and comments from viewers all around the world who admired
my style and collections for what they stood for, clothes that were modern but
classic, simple but sophisticated. These remarks definitely gave me the
confidence sand reassurance that I had a voice in my designs that people
understood and appreciated.
10) Have you ever had a moment at a show where you were like “holy
crap, I did THAT?”
a) The Stilt Walker challenge is my only
true regret on Season 9. My team mate was dead set on what we should design.
and wouldn't budge. Since I had already been tagged as Bertzilla by several of
my fellow designers, I felt it was not worth the battle to convince him to
reconsider anything other than what he wanted us to make. It was a disaster, he
didn't know the difference between Queen Elizabeth the 1st or Queen Victoria.
Our look wound up resembling a barmaid at a Renaissance Fair. Really HORRIBLE!
11) Who is your girl? (Who do you design for? The sporty girl? The
business woman?)
a) I like to think the woman who wear my
designs is not a slave to trends and designer logos but one that looks at each
piece she owns as an investment of not only her money but her time. She wants a
wardrobe that will evolve with her as her lifestyle evolves…. a source that she
can come back to season after season.
12) The media obviously knows about designing for Allison Janney,
how was it?
a) I met Allison through two friends as a
direct result of being on PR. They are also close friends of Allison's and
suggested we meet with the possibility of designing a gown for the 2014 EMMYS
for her nomination in MASTERS of SEX.
She is a spectacular person, totally down to earth and void of any pretense or
star BS. After our first meeting at her
home I felt like I had known her for ever. She is 100 real…plus she has a
killer body, all 6' of her! I designed
two dresses, a sleek black matte jersey sleeveless gown banded in platinum
matte jersey for the Emmys, which she won and a short black wool crepe cocktail
dress studded with Swarovski crystals that she wore to the Variety "WOMEN in
FILM " awards. I am hopeful that more will follow.
13) Other than her, have you designed for any other
celebrities/People of a higher power?
a) Patti Lupone when I was at Halston, for
the Tony awards and her wedding gown. A dress for Hallie Berry in 2014. Julie
Bowen who actually contacted me after PR on FB. Unfortunately she is not as accessible
as Allison…I never was able to meet her or be present to fit the gown…after
several mis-steps, lack of communication from her camp etc I gave up. Being
it's a small world, I met one of her wardrobe dressers about 6 months later. I
told her of my experience. She informed
me that of all the celebrities she has worked with JB is the most difficult. Oh
well…at least it wasn't all my fault!
14) So, you are designing a new collection called "KORE",
why did you name it KORE/What is the meaning of KORE?
a) Bert Keeter / KORE was created for the American
career woman that needs the modern, sleek fashion that will compliment her at
work and in her personal life. The word "KORE", derived from ancient
greek is used to identify a particular type of sculpture; a female statue,
independent, freely standing, not supported by any other means. This is how I
see the KORE woman; independent, standing on an equal level with her
contemporaries in the business world
15) Who is the KORE girl?
a) I see the KORE collection attracting
women who appreciate its approach to modern wardrobe building for designs that
will compliment them at work and in private events.
16) What will we be seeing from you in the future?
a) Besides the Bert Keeter / KORE and the Bert
Keeter Collection, I am working on a very exciting reality show concept that
will travel the world in search of fashion inspiration.
17) Do you think you can start a new trend? (Coco had the LBD, DvF
had the wrap dress)
a) The Bert Keeter Trend? Buy less and curate the
best pieces to keep and enjoy for years!
18) Do you have any words of wisdom for the next generation of
designers?
a) The FASHION BUSINESS today is probably one of
the most competitive and overstocked career choices out there. In order to
succeed to build a designer label you must
have a reason why a customer would choose your collection over the
dozens or more that are available…not just once but time and time again, season
after season. Stay true to yourself…evolve and perfect your product as you
evolve. And if this doesn't interest
then just design a bunch of
EDITORIAL crap for magazine covers and
red carpets…. and then sell out to TARGET and become a star on QVC!
