Life doesn’t always take the direct route. At least that was the experience of St. Louis resident Amy Johnson. She spent 13 years working in environmental engineering before discovering her true calling: fashion design. Now Johnson runs KayOss Designs out of her Central West End studio, and her creations are available locally at Mister Guy Clothiers (9817 Clayton Road, 314-692-2003), 10denza (44 Maryland Plaza, 314-361-1010), and her new summer pop-up boutique (234 N. Euclid).
Tell me about yourself and how KayOss got its start.
I had a great job as an environmental engineer, but I wasn’t passionate about it. Then one year, I went to Italy and took a fashion design course. The very first day, I was feeling the fabric and it hit me: Boom, I’m supposed to be a fashion designer. I worked really hard, and by the end of the course I already had my company name. I wanted it to represent my journey to find what I love. If you do what you love, you’ll find your calling in the chaos. So, I came home and learned how to sew. I sold my first skirt to an engineering client. Then Vie, a boutique in Ladue, came up to me and said, “I’ll take this, this, and this, and write you a check.” After that, it just kept going.
What’s new for KayOss?
I’m really excited about our new pop-up boutique that’s “popping up” for the summer. The grand opening is Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. It will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Our clothes will be there, but we will also have a working table for sewing and measuring. I’m taking my studio to the public this summer, and I have five interns to help run it. It will be really different because it’s not just a regular boutique, it’s a design boutique. We don’t have everything in every size, although if it fits clients can take it with them. Instead, we make everything to fit.
What sets KayOss Designs apart?
I love the quote “If you live your authentic life, you have no competition,” which is from “The Alchemist.” I design what’s unique because it comes from within. Each item is sewn in St. Louis, and I can tell you a complete story about it: who sewed it, how many kids she has, where she lives. It gives it a lot of energy, and I want everyone who works for me to feel good about it. There are good vibrations to it.
How has your business matured since it started in 2007?
I have tons of repeat business. Customers bring their friends, so it grows organically. I’m also selling at Mister Guy. My spring line sold out there in two weeks.
What’s available for the summer?
We have lots of fun summer skirts that can be dressed up or down. We also have new fabrics in for the reversible halters, an array of patterns I just got back from Italy and New York, and the Goddess Dress that can be worn five different ways. In the spring, we did a photoshoot at the stadium and Three Sixty of our red skirts, tops and halters inspired by the Cardinals’ win last year. Every time you come into the boutique, there will be something new we just made.
What are your plans for the future?
I take it day by day. It’s growing, and I’m just going to see where it goes. I don’t want to force it in any direction. I’m also starting a charity called Skirts for Children. I’ve always wanted KayOss to be full circle, so with the [fabric] remnants I’m going to make skirts for needy girls. We’re just starting and will be sewing them this summer. On the website, there will be a place where people can write in to suggest a little girl. I just traveled to Peru and made some contacts there, so we may spread them around the world.
