Quotes like "Art imitates life" and "Creativity takes courage" don't ring as true until you meet artistic creatives like Kris Keys. I met her in my hometown of Memphis almost two decades ago. Over the years, I have watched the young, modern storyteller use watercolor art to varnish vibrant paintings. As a budding journalist, I was amazed by Kris' stoic yet calming spirit. For me, she was everything I aspired to be because she found an innovative way to share her heart and art with the world.
As a child, her parents allowed her to express her creativity through dance and art. Whether it be in the church choir or entering into art contests or dance, she knew she was born to create. More than anything, Kris knew she wanted to be a designer for as long as she can remember. She had no choice but to make fashion her canvas.
Rendering style and energy through art became her way of life and even a childhood sickness helped shape her future.
Her journey took her from Memphis to New York where she worked in the merchandising field of fashion. Kris took a few classes in fashion illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology before deciding to move to London. There, she pursued fashion illustration as her full-time career. "Being in a new country inspired me to document my experiences through drawing. I started to sketch along the catwalks of London Fashion Week and fashion related events around London, and I got my first commission after doing that for several months," she told us.
In a candid conversation with xoNecole, Kris talks her inspiration, battling a rare disease and why it's important to make your dreams a priority.
You have lived in some of the fashion capitals of the world. What did each city teach you about yourself and your journey?
Kris Keys: New York definitely strengthened my character. I learned how to work hard and overall [I] developed a level of resiliency that has helped me persevere through pretty much anything. London is really where I honed my skills in drawing and design. It allowed me to start my design career with a fresh perspective and being surrounded by so many cultures helped me to design from a global perspective. Also, there are so many fashion illustrators and designers in London, so it kept me on my toes.
Fashion has always been your source of inspiration. When and why did you decide to transform your illustrations into wearable art?
Illustration by Kris Keys
KK: I did a project with Liberty's Department store during my time at London College of Fashion and printed my illustrations on silk scarves. I then started to experiment with creating textiles for garments and scarves, which led to the creation of my first womenswear collection. I've always wanted to fuse the two and creating textiles was the perfect mix.
You have shared your experience as a young girl battling a rare, benign blood disorder. How did your diagnosis and time at St. Jude impact your decision to pursue art and fashion?
KK: I have a benign genetic blood disorder called Hereditary Elliptocytosis, and I was treated during my childhood at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. I sort of used art as my "getaway" throughout my life. Being ill off and on as a child wasn't always easy, but painting and drawing has always kept me calm.
Why did you decide to name your fashion collection "Hematology"?
Photography by by Howard Nkosi
KK: I decided to make my first collection autobiographical and really take something so unappealing as an illness and show people that beauty can come from anything. Hematology is the study of the physiology of the blood. That's a word that's been a constant theme in my life, so I created the collection with silhouettes shaped like irregular blood cells and the colors are all the hues and tones of blood.
What does it mean to be a black creative in today's world?
Photography by Kris Keys/Instagram
KK: I can't think of a better time to be a creative black person. I love that we're using our creativity and resources to tell our own stories through a plethora of mediums. I'm inspired by so many black musicians, artists, designers, architects and to see them thriving inspires me and keeps me going.
"I can't think of a better time to be a creative black person."
What do you want people to feel or receive when looking at your illustrations?
KK: I often hear people say that watching me paint is therapeutic and meditative because of its light and airiness. I want people who wear my garments to feel the same way. Like you're a comfortable and confident walking piece of art.
You said that many things you wanted to happen last year came to fruition in one day. You believe the moral of the story is #keepgoing. Why do you think it's so important to push yourself to achieve your dreams?
KK: It takes a lot of work to stay on the path of pursuing your dreams. Adversity and hiccups along the way are inevitable. However, I think it's a shame to go through life with a regret that the one thing you wanted to do didn't happen because you gave up too soon. So my motto is to keep going.
For more of Kris' work and how to shop her collection, check out her website and follow her on Instagram.
Featured image courtesy of Kris Keys
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There were many things I didn’t know about “The Lou” and a lot of the facts actually surprised me. So here’s a recap of everything I learned and didn't expect during my St. Louis trip.
The Gateway Arch
Did you know you can go inside the Gateway Arch? The Gateway Arch is an iconic structure in St. Louis and it stands at 630 ft tall. Due to its thin appearance, one may think that going inside isn’t a possibility. However, they would be wrong.
I was surprised to learn that we were not only going inside, but we were going to the top. The process of going up was quite interesting. We all lined up at these doors that looked like they led to a tunnel. However, it was a tram ride. Because it was so small inside, the max number of people in each tram ride was five. Once we reached the top, we got to take in incredible views of the city.
Music At The Intersection Festival & Conference
Patti LaBelle at Music At The Intersection Festival & Conference
A-Ron Johnson for Music At The Intersection Festival & Conference
St. Louis has always played a major role in Black music history. While Nelly has been credited for bringing the St. Louis music scene, particularly hip-hop, to the forefront, the city has also contributed to jazz, blues and rock and roll. Other renowned artists that called “The Gateway City” home are Tina Turner, Josephine Baker, Chuck Berry, and Miles Davis.
So it's no surprise that there’s a music festival that celebrates all the sounds of the city and the artists that were influenced by it. Over the weekend, Music at the Intersection (MATI) held its fifth annual festival in the Grand Center Arts District. This year’s lineup featured legendary artists Patti LaBelle and Common & Pete Rock as the headliners.
Other performers were Lucky Daye, Leon Thomas, De La Soul, Leela James, Branford Marsalis, and The S.O.S. Band.
“T-Rav” is A St. Louis Delicacy
T-rav at Little Lucy
Courtesy
St. Louis has an eclectic food scene. During my time there, I enjoyed fine dining establishments like Esca, a Balkan brunch spot, Telva at the Ridge, and a Black-owned southern eatery, Little Lucy. At Little Lucy, I tried the city’s signature dish, T-rav, which is shortened for toasted ravioli. It made for a delicious appetizer and I would recommend anyone visiting for the first time to try it.
Something else I learned was that St. Louis is known to have some of the best Chinese food and they have their own St. Louis-style pizza.
Unfortunately, I didn’t make it to a Chinese or pizza joint during my trip, but I plan to make that my first couple of stops next time I visit.
Most Museums & Art Galleries Are Free
Saint Louis Museum
Courtesy
One thing that I really liked learning about the city is that they offer free entry to most museums and art galleries. The Gateway Arch’s museum is free to enter as well as the Saint Louis Art Museum and even the Saint Louis Zoo. It makes you think, why can’t other cities follow suit?
I got to take in some incredible art at the Saint Louis Art Museum, which also has the lovely restaurant, Panorama, where I had a tasty brunch. While not free, City Museum is a great family-friendly attraction that features caves, mazes, and a mini aquarium.
If you’re looking for an artsy hotel, then look no further than Angad Arts Hotel. During my stay, I enjoyed the art that was displayed throughout the hotel. Each floor had a signature color. My floor was green and so was my room, including matching green furniture. I thought it was very innovative and chic. But one of my favorite areas of the hotel was the rooftop bar, which overlooked the city.
Forest Park Rivals NYC’s Central Park
Boat house in Forest Park
Courtesy
The city’s major park, Forest Park, is actually larger than New York City’s Central Park, approximately 500 acres larger to be exact. It’s home to museums, the zoo, and lots of trails for walking and biking. There’s tennis courts, golf courses, and a beautiful boathouse where you can rent paddle boats and canoes.
I spent a little time near the boathouse, just to take pictures mostly, but it was an amazing view of the Saint Louis Museum at the top of the hill with the water below. There were also stately homes surrounding the property that only added to the scenic park’s ambiance.
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Feature image courtesy