A Day With Karen And Her Family

Fashion stylist and co-founder of YouLookFab.com, Angie Cox, spent a day at our corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, California, touring all of the essential areas that make our company function and flow. Here is what she learned:

"Karen Kane is a family based business with Karen herself as head of Design. Her husband, Lonnie, is in charge of Production and Finance, and her eldest son, Michael, shares the title of Co-President with his dad. They've been in business for almost 44 years, so there's a generation shift happening. Karen's younger son, Robert, works on the Design team, and he also produces his own brand, as well as assists mom.

Karen and Lonnie built their offices almost 30 years ago and it is big (135,000 square feet). When we arrived, my husband, Greg, and I were warmly greeted by Karen and Michael at reception. Karen was casual, yet uber-chic, in jeans, a black silky blouse (her own design), wedged sandals and gorgeous chunky silver jewelry. Michael looked hip and cool in tapered jeans, a slim-fitting shirt, and industrial boots. Right from the outset, I knew that this was going to be a fabulous day. We headed to a conference room that contained the final samples for the next six months of delivery. Michael laid out beautiful design illustrations and photos of fashion shoots on the conference room table.

Karen's team shoots many of the photos for their books, like the one you're reading, in this building and across the city of Los Angeles. I was itching to look through the rails of samples, but I restrained myself until later.

As I expected, my buying days came flooding back as soon as I walked into the Karen Kane building. Before long, my head was exploding with questions. Over the next few hours, Karen would answer each of them with great insight, humble grace, infinite patience, and a confident dignity that one rarely sees in the fashion industry. Without question, she is a leader at her game.

We started in the “Work Room”, which is where Karen’s design process starts. It is filled with trims, swatches of fabrics, drawings, sketches, photographs, outfits for photo shoots, and all sorts of other things that fuel creativity. Karen has a team of associate designers who translate her hand-drawn sketches into digital renderings of clothing. Karen remains focused on the way she has designed from the start- every style still starts with a small sketchpad and an old fashioned pencil. She sketches her ideas and sticks them on large white boards with fabric swatches. After mulling over her ideas, she has the styles made up in her Design Room. Once that happens, every design is tweaked to perfection, at which point, it receives an official style number. Each season, Karen sketches many designs, but only the very best make it onto her final line.

After that, we walked down the hall. Karen does not spend much time in her own office, because she spends most of it all over the company, fixing problems, solving issues, and ensuring that products come out exactly as planned. Michael told us that it is common to see a line of 5-10 people regularly waiting to speak to Karen at any point in the building.

While Karen’s design focus is squarely on a single season, the company actually has to juggle six seasons at the same time. To stay organized, Karen collects fabric swatches and ideas and puts them into separate drawers, each associated with a particular month of the year. I asked Karen what part of her job was her favorite, and she replied: 'Seeing something new come down the line each day.' After experiencing the buzz in her factory, I totally understand why that’s the case." -Angie Cox, YouLookFab.com

"I found this dress while looking for something to wear to dinner at my husband's boss' house and it has turned into one of my favorite items in my closet. I've worn it over and over again - to work, to family events... it's a great 'go to' dress. I've recommended it to two of my friends (with very different shapes than me)... and they've had similar stories with this dress."

- Kara, Bellevue, WA

Three Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress

With a timeless silhouette, this dress offers a simple solution for every need. Dress it up or down for work, weekend, or any event you attend. Clean construction, a scooped neck, and flared shape make this dress a flattering choice for every body type. Made in Los Angeles with locally sourced fabric. 92% Rayon, 8% Spandex. Black stretch jersey knit. Also in navy.

L14174 sizes XS - XL $99

L13088W sizes 0X - 3X $109

Gold Starfish Necklace

Imagine yourself at the edge of the ocean, with your feet in the sand; that's the feeling we hope this charming gold-plated necklace can help evoke. Handmade in France. N200039 one size $45

Above and left Mother of Pearl Station Bracelet

An adjustable bracelet decorated with shimmering mother of pearl shells. B300010 one size $78

Above Tiered Short Dress

This colorfully tiered dress is a dream to slip on and style. A tie around the waist adds shape for a flattering fit. 100% Viscose. Daisy crepe. 2L44592 sizes XS - XL $178 | 2L44592W sizes 0X - 3X $198

Left

Check Tie-Front Top

This cotton blend shirt features blouson-style sleeves as a complement to its figure-flattering front-tie detail. 80% Cotton, 17% Nylon, 3% Spandex. Navy stretch cotton check.

2L50009 sizes XS - XL $149

Raw Hem Straight Jeans

A timeless straight leg silhouette makes this the perfect pair of jeans. 95% Cotton, 4% Polyester, 1% Spandex. Light blue denim. L48143 sizes 2 - 16 $99

Horn Leaf Earrings

Fair Trade Certified™. These polished earrings are beautifully hand-carved in the shape of a leaf with sustainably sourced horn from rural Ugandan cattle keepers. Each piece is ethically sourced and made by hand. As with all natural items, variations in color and finishing will occur. Black natural horn. Also in white. E200017 one size $38

Below Brigitte Midi Dress

A sophisticated dress with a double v-neckline, finished with a one-of-a-kind tie-dye design. 88% Rayon, 12% Spandex. Pink French terry. 2L40146 sizes XS - XL $148

Left Tie-Dye Shirt

This comfortably breezy top features blouson sleeves, a patch pocket, and a button-front placket. Since it is hand-dyed, each piece is unique, and the dye pattern will vary. 100% Cotton. Pink tie-dye. 2L35540 sizes XS - XL $178

“I love how comfortable this dress is! The ruffles add a bit of trend and the pastel flowers are beautiful.”

- Jill, Thousand Oaks, CA

“Very cute and comfortable. I plan to take this dress on vacation with me. I love the fact that it's casual for everyday and also perfect to dress up with heels.”

- Lea, Preston Hollow, TX

Tiered Short Dress BACK IN STOCK

Our tiered dress features a shirred neckline and an airy silhouette that is tied at the waist. Wear this easy, every day style with sandals, or dress it up with heels and gold jewelry for a night out. 100% Viscose. Pink wisteria print crepe. Exclusively available online. 2L19602 sizes XS - XL $138

Braided Trim Palm Leaf Fedora Hat

This hat is hand-braided with palm leaves and finished with a braided trim made of 100% cotton. Natural. H200004 one size $98