Designs by Kara Kihm: the fair

I designed this dress for my 30th birthday. It's a cotton pique wrap dress in pink and white; perfect for spring and summer. I wanted something sophisticated yet fun and flirty for the big occasion. It's named "Fair" because that is my family nickname. The dress also comes in navy with a white ruffle trim and blue and white seersucker with a white ruffle trim.

This dress was inspired by all the things that I love. The pink version is perfect for a birthday girl who is turning 30. When I saw the pink fabric I thought of some of my favorites things such as star gazer lilies, pedicures with any color of pink polish, my pink running shoes, the assortment of pink I have collected in my wardrobe, and pink elephants, the symbol of the restaurant my grandfather owned in Cleveland Ohio, The Pink Elephant. It would also be the perfect dress for a shower-bridal or baby, horse race, luncheon, walk through the park or girls day out! Its versatile style makes it a classic.

The Navy version with a white ruffle was inspired by my love of the water! I grew up going to the beach to stay on our family boat and to visit Smith Mountain lake to stay with my grandparents so I have always had a love for anything with a nautical theme. I think the Navy version would look great with red accents. These dresses would be perfect at a family BBQ at the lake or for a peaceful stroll down the beach. I got married on an island in South Carolina and would even have had these dresses as bridesmaid dresses. Anytime I am at the beach or on the river my heart is happy :)

These pictures are of the sample dress I had made.
Thanks for looking!

What Inspires me...the things I love

I love anything from seersucker, star gazer lilies, and dragon flies, to starfish, and the beach. I got married on the beach and nothing is better than walking barefoot in the sand in your wedding dress! Pink in any shade is my favorite color. I am trying very hard to branch out, but I just can't get enough of it! Bright pinks, lights pinks, magentas, corals, hot pinks, salmons you name the shade I have something in my wardrobe in that color. My addiction to pink has been the challenge in my clothing line! I want everything to be pink with ruffles so I am working very hard to become more versatile. I love my dogs, they make me smile everyday. Lucile is a bouvier and Leonard is an SPCA speciality..... a pit beagle. My house is covered in yellow and blue and bright colors. Toile is my favorite decor for my home and it is found in nearly every room in some form. I think ruffles and bows on clothing are a must--the girlier the better! My house is covered in my monogram-from pillow cases to shower curtains, to glasses to towels, to clothing. My all-time favorite designer is Ralph Lauren but my go to for any occasion was always CK Bradley (We will miss her bright fun flirty dresses). Now that my favorite dresses are no longer all the more reason to start my new project. I LOVE nature and am always inspired when I am on the water. I grew up going to Smith Mountain Lake or to the beach in Beauford N.C most weekends. Anytime I am near the water I find a sense of peace. I love to travel and still believe to this day that if I went to visit Italy I would never come home! My favorite city is Boston, but Richmond holds a special place in my heart. I always have a camera on hand so that I can capture the moment. My goal is to do once nice thing for somebody else every single day...... Try it! The ultimate mode of communication is laugher. No body makes me laugh like my husband.

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The Fair in Houndstooth

The Fair

The Fair is Ready for Action!

The Fair