K is for Bobby
culture, fashion, April08 April 18th, 2008
By Ciara McFatter, April 2008
Bobby K is a name that most of the fashion forward Gainesville population has heard of even if they don’t know exactly who he is or what he does. Bobby K is one the most visually creative people I have met in my five years in Gainesville.
He will have a runway show in late April or early May. Keep your ears, eyes, and vintage glam wear ready to see a runway show that will be the talk of your trendy inner circle for weeks. He is also working on opening a boutique so we can fulfill any Bobby K cravings. The following is just a taste of who Bobby K is. If you want to know him, look at the dresses he creates and watch him on the dance floor.
Bobby K is very catchy. When did you did you decide to drop the “elley”? Well, I always thought that everything official I did said “Bobby K.”, and that Bobby Kelley sounded like an Irish cop.
At what age did you know that fashion was your calling? 16. I started doing it in school, and realized I had an aesthetic that people really liked and appreciated. I also realized it could be lucrative, if you catch my drift. The first things I ever made were maternity prom dresses for all my knocked up friends. We were so classy.What led you to pursue this calling? I just felt kinda empty. I struggled with anxiety and depression as most gay teens do, and it was really my outlet. I felt alone, and very ostracized, but I knew when I was sewing and creating, I was doing something beautiful, and people would figure it out.
Which design house or designer is your favorite? I love Betsey Johnson, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Design house would be Chanel.
You are Gainesville-Famous, and probably soon to be more. What is your reaction to this most deserved honor? It’s weird. People need to take me serious, but I guess they’ll learn soon enough. I do feel honored, though.
Give me a hint into you new line. Colors, fabric, motivation? GLAM!!! It’s great. Think 1970s. Ice Capades. Studio 54. Art shows. Excess. It’s a fabulous mix of jersey and satin, with menswear pieces peppered in for structure. Purple, aqua, and some creative dyeing techniques.
How would you describe your personal style? My style….it’s wacky. I’m shaped like a frat boy, with Irish features, so it’s like the corrupt frat boy. Too many keg stands. I like bold concepts, without it being trite. Layered, accessorized, but not for the sake of doing it.
What are you working on right now? What’s next? My Runway Show in late April early May, then opening a boutique. Anyone want to invest???
Kate Moss or Gemma Ward? OMG, Gemma Ward!
Nylon or Vogue? Nylon for inspiration, Vogue for marketability.
Jackie O or Edie Sedgwick? Who would Edie Sedgwick be without Jackie O.?
It is 2012. Where is Bobby K? Running a million dollar Design House, revolutionizing women’s wear, kicking ass, taking names.
What areas in your life you do draw most your inspiration from? I mix all forms of imagery to draw inspiration. I’m synesthetic, so colors, music, shapes and feelings all create an experience for me. Certain people and attitudes are a biggy. I love Jenny Lewis, Madonna, strong women with a strong point of view. I could listen to “Rabbit Fur Coat” and sketch an entire collection off of it.
I have seen you bust a move. I must say that you know how to work it. Does music influence you at all? If so what band? Music is everything. When I hear music, I see color. It’s like being on drugs. It’s euphoric. I love Goldfrapp, Madonna, Robyn, Yelle, TTC, and anything with a keytar for what I’m working on now. I love all kinds of music, each one has it’s own aesthetic for me. I do know what my next show is themed around already.
If you could pick any band to perform at your fashion show who would it be and why? Hmm. I would love anyone one who could make disco happen, cause that’s what I’m looking for. Probably like Erasure, or Madonna.
What are your thoughts on Gainesville’s “scene” in terms of fashion? I’ll break it down:1. People who get it — they wear casual dresses, cardigans, functional outerwear, and they don’t look like they try.2. People who don’t — they look, seriously, like they started shopping at dawn to construct some of Frankenstein look that some coke head wore the night before. Usually a lot of gold, and crappy thrift store finds.3. Coke heads — they don’t realize that rayon is over. They think that GLAM is finding a polyester dress that shows off the bruises on their inner thigh. Lots of bad makeup…travel in packs for security.
What is the greatest thing when designing for a woman’s body? The confidence. I like sketching and sewing something that women will put on and blush at how great they feel, at who they will become. I’ve seen it a thousand times, and its one of the reasons I love my job.
What is the theme for your show in April? Totally glam. I want to create a fake dance studio for the runway. Glitter roller skates and breakdancers. It’s gonna be so hot.
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K is for Bobby
culture, fashion, April08 April 18th, 2008
By Ciara McFatter, April 2008
Bobby K is a name that most of the fashion forward Gainesville population has heard of even if they don’t know exactly who he is or what he does. Bobby K is one the most visually creative people I have met in my five years in Gainesville.
He will have a runway show in late April or early May. Keep your ears, eyes, and vintage glam wear ready to see a runway show that will be the talk of your trendy inner circle for weeks. He is also working on opening a boutique so we can fulfill any Bobby K cravings. The following is just a taste of who Bobby K is. If you want to know him, look at the dresses he creates and watch him on the dance floor.
Bobby K is very catchy. When did you did you decide to drop the “elley”? Well, I always thought that everything official I did said “Bobby K.”, and that Bobby Kelley sounded like an Irish cop.
At what age did you know that fashion was your calling? 16. I started doing it in school, and realized I had an aesthetic that people really liked and appreciated. I also realized it could be lucrative, if you catch my drift. The first things I ever made were maternity prom dresses for all my knocked up friends. We were so classy.What led you to pursue this calling? I just felt kinda empty. I struggled with anxiety and depression as most gay teens do, and it was really my outlet. I felt alone, and very ostracized, but I knew when I was sewing and creating, I was doing something beautiful, and people would figure it out.
Which design house or designer is your favorite? I love Betsey Johnson, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Design house would be Chanel.
You are Gainesville-Famous, and probably soon to be more. What is your reaction to this most deserved honor? It’s weird. People need to take me serious, but I guess they’ll learn soon enough. I do feel honored, though.
Give me a hint into you new line. Colors, fabric, motivation? GLAM!!! It’s great. Think 1970s. Ice Capades. Studio 54. Art shows. Excess. It’s a fabulous mix of jersey and satin, with menswear pieces peppered in for structure. Purple, aqua, and some creative dyeing techniques.
How would you describe your personal style? My style….it’s wacky. I’m shaped like a frat boy, with Irish features, so it’s like the corrupt frat boy. Too many keg stands. I like bold concepts, without it being trite. Layered, accessorized, but not for the sake of doing it.
What are you working on right now? What’s next? My Runway Show in late April early May, then opening a boutique. Anyone want to invest???
Kate Moss or Gemma Ward? OMG, Gemma Ward!
Nylon or Vogue? Nylon for inspiration, Vogue for marketability.
Jackie O or Edie Sedgwick? Who would Edie Sedgwick be without Jackie O.?
It is 2012. Where is Bobby K? Running a million dollar Design House, revolutionizing women’s wear, kicking ass, taking names.
What areas in your life you do draw most your inspiration from? I mix all forms of imagery to draw inspiration. I’m synesthetic, so colors, music, shapes and feelings all create an experience for me. Certain people and attitudes are a biggy. I love Jenny Lewis, Madonna, strong women with a strong point of view. I could listen to “Rabbit Fur Coat” and sketch an entire collection off of it.
I have seen you bust a move. I must say that you know how to work it. Does music influence you at all? If so what band? Music is everything. When I hear music, I see color. It’s like being on drugs. It’s euphoric. I love Goldfrapp, Madonna, Robyn, Yelle, TTC, and anything with a keytar for what I’m working on now. I love all kinds of music, each one has it’s own aesthetic for me. I do know what my next show is themed around already.
If you could pick any band to perform at your fashion show who would it be and why? Hmm. I would love anyone one who could make disco happen, cause that’s what I’m looking for. Probably like Erasure, or Madonna.
What are your thoughts on Gainesville’s “scene” in terms of fashion? I’ll break it down:1. People who get it — they wear casual dresses, cardigans, functional outerwear, and they don’t look like they try.2. People who don’t — they look, seriously, like they started shopping at dawn to construct some of Frankenstein look that some coke head wore the night before. Usually a lot of gold, and crappy thrift store finds.3. Coke heads — they don’t realize that rayon is over. They think that GLAM is finding a polyester dress that shows off the bruises on their inner thigh. Lots of bad makeup…travel in packs for security.
What is the greatest thing when designing for a woman’s body? The confidence. I like sketching and sewing something that women will put on and blush at how great they feel, at who they will become. I’ve seen it a thousand times, and its one of the reasons I love my job.
What is the theme for your show in April? Totally glam. I want to create a fake dance studio for the runway. Glitter roller skates and breakdancers. It’s gonna be so hot.
Leave a Reply
K is for Bobby
culture, fashion, April08 April 18th, 2008
By Ciara McFatter, April 2008
Bobby K is a name that most of the fashion forward Gainesville population has heard of even if they don’t know exactly who he is or what he does. Bobby K is one the most visually creative people I have met in my five years in Gainesville.
He will have a runway show in late April or early May. Keep your ears, eyes, and vintage glam wear ready to see a runway show that will be the talk of your trendy inner circle for weeks. He is also working on opening a boutique so we can fulfill any Bobby K cravings. The following is just a taste of who Bobby K is. If you want to know him, look at the dresses he creates and watch him on the dance floor.
Bobby K is very catchy. When did you did you decide to drop the “elley”? Well, I always thought that everything official I did said “Bobby K.”, and that Bobby Kelley sounded like an Irish cop.
At what age did you know that fashion was your calling? 16. I started doing it in school, and realized I had an aesthetic that people really liked and appreciated. I also realized it could be lucrative, if you catch my drift. The first things I ever made were maternity prom dresses for all my knocked up friends. We were so classy.What led you to pursue this calling? I just felt kinda empty. I struggled with anxiety and depression as most gay teens do, and it was really my outlet. I felt alone, and very ostracized, but I knew when I was sewing and creating, I was doing something beautiful, and people would figure it out.
Which design house or designer is your favorite? I love Betsey Johnson, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Design house would be Chanel.
You are Gainesville-Famous, and probably soon to be more. What is your reaction to this most deserved honor? It’s weird. People need to take me serious, but I guess they’ll learn soon enough. I do feel honored, though.
Give me a hint into you new line. Colors, fabric, motivation? GLAM!!! It’s great. Think 1970s. Ice Capades. Studio 54. Art shows. Excess. It’s a fabulous mix of jersey and satin, with menswear pieces peppered in for structure. Purple, aqua, and some creative dyeing techniques.
How would you describe your personal style? My style….it’s wacky. I’m shaped like a frat boy, with Irish features, so it’s like the corrupt frat boy. Too many keg stands. I like bold concepts, without it being trite. Layered, accessorized, but not for the sake of doing it.
What are you working on right now? What’s next? My Runway Show in late April early May, then opening a boutique. Anyone want to invest???
Kate Moss or Gemma Ward? OMG, Gemma Ward!
Nylon or Vogue? Nylon for inspiration, Vogue for marketability.
Jackie O or Edie Sedgwick? Who would Edie Sedgwick be without Jackie O.?
It is 2012. Where is Bobby K? Running a million dollar Design House, revolutionizing women’s wear, kicking ass, taking names.
What areas in your life you do draw most your inspiration from? I mix all forms of imagery to draw inspiration. I’m synesthetic, so colors, music, shapes and feelings all create an experience for me. Certain people and attitudes are a biggy. I love Jenny Lewis, Madonna, strong women with a strong point of view. I could listen to “Rabbit Fur Coat” and sketch an entire collection off of it.
I have seen you bust a move. I must say that you know how to work it. Does music influence you at all? If so what band? Music is everything. When I hear music, I see color. It’s like being on drugs. It’s euphoric. I love Goldfrapp, Madonna, Robyn, Yelle, TTC, and anything with a keytar for what I’m working on now. I love all kinds of music, each one has it’s own aesthetic for me. I do know what my next show is themed around already.
If you could pick any band to perform at your fashion show who would it be and why? Hmm. I would love anyone one who could make disco happen, cause that’s what I’m looking for. Probably like Erasure, or Madonna.
What are your thoughts on Gainesville’s “scene” in terms of fashion? I’ll break it down:1. People who get it — they wear casual dresses, cardigans, functional outerwear, and they don’t look like they try.2. People who don’t — they look, seriously, like they started shopping at dawn to construct some of Frankenstein look that some coke head wore the night before. Usually a lot of gold, and crappy thrift store finds.3. Coke heads — they don’t realize that rayon is over. They think that GLAM is finding a polyester dress that shows off the bruises on their inner thigh. Lots of bad makeup…travel in packs for security.
What is the greatest thing when designing for a woman’s body? The confidence. I like sketching and sewing something that women will put on and blush at how great they feel, at who they will become. I’ve seen it a thousand times, and its one of the reasons I love my job.
What is the theme for your show in April? Totally glam. I want to create a fake dance studio for the runway. Glitter roller skates and breakdancers. It’s gonna be so hot.