DALLAS — Karelle Levy literally found dramatic inspiration for her Krelwear line of handmade knit dresses and sportswear, based in Miami.
Though Levy has a degree in textiles design from the Rhode Island School of Design and has been knitting since she was a child, it was her life on stage as a performance artist that inspired the line of colorful knits. “I do performance art shows in museums and art galleries, which involve lots of interpretive body movements,” explained Levy, who launched Krelwear three years ago.
“I needed a seamless and tubular cover to mold to my body to emphasize movement and emotion, so I decided to design a thin but tightly woven knit cover,” she said. “Hiding the body also forces you to push yourself much farther artistically and go much deeper into your own mind and art. It’s a nice progression and then the fabric and the show become one progressive performance.”
Levy said it dawned on her while onstage that the knits were both sexy and comfortable. “So my love of fashion came through and I started the line,” she said, noting that Krelwear now sells to about 20 accounts across the U.S., Europe and Japan. Wholesale volume in 2005 is planned at $200,000, up by double digits over last year.
The company now produces at least two expansive wholesale collections a year that include more than 200 pieces, such as sexy short dresses, bolero and cropped jackets, long evening dresses, shells and tanks, among other styles. Colors span the spectrum and reflect seasonal trends. Wholesale prices typically don’t rise above $200 for an intricately knitted long dress.
“It’s a high-concept fashion line that is truly functional and user-friendly,” said Levy. “Many of my styles are distorted and may have frays and holes. The style is a bit aggressive and can be gritty in a sexy kind of way. It’s definitely all about combining the art of knitting with my intellectual mind-set. And each piece is one of kind. No seams and only one thread. It’s just one piece of fabric. After it comes off the machine it’s almost complete.”
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Krelwear is produced by Levy and her staff on the company’s knitting machines in Miami’s historic fashion district. Levy wholesales the collection at her Miami corporate showroom and travels with the line to trade shows across the U.S.