Kelsey Kay Crampton from a suburban town in Illinois, called, St Charles. The ‘Pride of the Fox’. This is where the Fox, was speechless after being outwitted in her lack of knowledge in the arts. So her journey begins with a simplistic life, where she didn’t undergo the struggle. The struggle, until she arrived in LA. Kelsey had a bright path as she had parental support from both parents. Kelsey was fortunate to have the aide of her parents help her to achieve her goals of where she wanted to be in her career, currently. Kelsey was a background actress before while she was designing. Her role in , The Investigation Discovery Chanel called 'Unusual Suspects’ For episode ’No Mercy', she played the villain. Which is so very true to life. Kelsey also portrayed background roles in ‘Glee: Seasons 1 - Episode 15 The Power of Madonna, Season 3 - Episode 13 Valentines day.

Kelsey once told me in a conversational quote: ’Take, Take, Take, and Give Nothing Back’. A very young carnal mentality. Not looking at the overall picture of life. I could see why someone could attribute this action. Being numb to one’s surroundings and not opening up is a big issue in the city. Especially in fashion. Fashion is mysterious, and elusive, often straight to the point. Cut throat, if need be. Simple reason from her expression on her face, really. Lack of faith in one’s self. Possiblility of burning out of her day gig. Fortunate enough to consider have a ‘day gig’ in this rough economy. After a long conversation with stories about her past. Kelsey opened up about her 'book of designs’. Her sketches, labelled ’The Secret Garden’ with green and brown pastels, or rather forest colors.

Kelsey worked for a company named Mother Denim in DTLA - Down Town Los Angeles ( for those non-Angelicos). A major distributor of clothing label company to contemporary stores such as ‘Ross’, and Old Navy to name a few. Even where she learned while supervised by Tina, Editorial Director, responsible for the mock up looks that 'Mother Denim' copies its design from other name brand designers. The same name brand designers that sell to contemporary stores such as Ross Department Stores from first hand ‘foot traffic’ experience. ‘Knock off’s are fraud. The fraud in the fashion industry needs to cease, yesterday. I recall knowing of her frustration of her quote: ’Take, Take, Take, and Give Nothing Back’. I mean, it makes sense to be on the defensive when the storm is about to hit, correct? Well, not so much……

Kelsey and I often had a discussion about Project Runway Designer Austin Scarlet and Santino Rice thereafter. Which sparked her interest in an open sit down interview. Kelsey begun to open up with her family background. Her Aunt’s name is Gladys Bancroft - Crampton. Gladys has a pet store called, ‘Coastside Critters’ in Pacifica, CA. Kelsey’s Grandmother's store name, 'The Wishing Well’ Pittsburg, Pennsylvania has a few interesting stories.

Kelsey Crampton is in the emerging stages of Fashion Design. Her dream is to be a pattern drafter for Warner Brothers.

Q : What did you enjoy most about creating this design named the 'Tani Dart Dress’?

A : Shopping for the materials and Friday Night Smoothies

Q: What are your Inspirations?

The ‘Tani Dart Dress’ was created alongside an “Orange Drop’ Jacket. These garments were created for the Discarded to Devine event to help raise money through St. Vincent and De Paul Society in San Francisco. (http://svdp-sf.org/discarded-to-divine/)

The school Kelsey was attending, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, San Francisco. Had a special class that focused on creating a look for the auction that is in the De’Young Museum. The museum is in the golden gate park. The inspiration for her look was the 1960’s in San Francisco. Her favorite part about creating this look was that the items were auctioned off to help someone else’s life in a positive way.

(Some of Kelsey's inspiration was from her grandmother’s store, The Wishing Well", in Pittsburg, PA. This was grandma's sketch whom Kelsey has a similar taste and style.)

How did you make a proposal on the deciding color scheme?

The materials for the items created were; donated orange upholstery for the jacket and donated silk lining for both garments. Kelsey was attracted to the bright orange fabric because the Golden Gate Bridge is orange as well. Based on Kelsey's inspiration of the 1960’s she sourced a printed fabric from Jo-Ann fabrics. Kelsey looked out from the corner of her eye, discovering some printed blue and green light weight cotton. These colors pop with the orange and made Kelsey think of the 'ponds and trees in the surrounding park areas around the bridge and the museum’.

Elaborate on the completion process:

In completing the dress she interfaced the areas around the neckline and arm holes, so that it would be a clean structured finish. The dress is fully lined with silk. It’s a good idea to use slick fabrics for a lining so the garment is able to slip on and off with ease. The hem was completed with lace hem tape blind stitched down, so the stitches wouldn’t interfere with the print that Kelsey selected. The belt for sundress, 1/2 yard of inter facing, 2 yards lining, zipper 22”, hem tape (2 packs), thread, cone thread, yellow hem tape, yellow thread was all shopped for at Michael Levine, Inc., fabric store.

As Kelsey and I, at the time were on a mission. On a mission to also shop through The Santee Alley, on a Saturday to say the least. All while we conducted our interview and planned out the editorial to follow in the upcoming days. Perhaps now, the Fox has a new, a true, and richer perspective on life within the art industry.