INTERVIEW: KARA JUBIN of KkCO
On designing with versatility in mind, KkCO's new collection SOFT TECH, and riding out the chaos of the world as a small business owner
If you’re reading this in your email, I suggest going to togs.substack.com —it looks and feels way better!
Hi readers! Kellyn here. This week, we have an interview with the lovely Kara Jubin.
I’ve been following the Los Angeles based brand KkCO (the second ‘k’ is silent) for a few years now, first discovering it in 2021 from this very photo that made me go hellooooo who is this?!
I’ve since become a big fan of KkCO and designer/founder Kara Jubin, whose whimsical design choices result in garments that are just fun. They’re both fun to look at and fun to wear—a testament to Kara’s commitment to creating things that don’t adhere to any rules or any one usage, gender, or season.
I’m often reminded of why I love clothing in moments when I’m around a child that was clearly given free rein to dress themselves. Because they aren’t constricted by any rules or norms, their outfits are usually a pure expression of creativity. In the best possible way, KkCO reminds me of that freedom.
Juxtaposition is celebrated and designed into every piece. Alongside recycled nylon and spandex, there is metal hardware pierced into the fabric. Paired with frilly ruffles are climbing rope accents and cargo pockets. It’s a blast.
Here are some of my favorite pieces from previous collections:
You may also recognize some KkCO pieces that I’ve worn from previous letters! Like this rope detail detached collar and blue pack dress.
Kara graciously agreed to chat with me about her process, the brand’s early days, and her upcoming fall/winter collection—
KW: Hi Kara! First off, I’m curious how would you describe yourself?
KJ: I’m a workaholic, serial hobbyist, and obsessed dog mom.
And how would you describe what you do for work?
I literally do everything! Haha but really, owning a small business means you have to wear so many hats. At the end of the day I consider myself a professional maker. While running my business, I also design and develop for other brands.
What are some of the brands you design for? Can you mention anything you're stoked on?
I’m the knitwear and womenswear designer at Brain Dead and also ghost design for a few other brands. Brain Dead always has the best collaborations but I’m especially stoked for what’s coming later this year and early next—stay tuned!
I will stay very much tuned.
What’s your earliest memory of creating your own outfit? What were you wearing?
For some reason I can’t remember the first thing I ever created, but I do remember making a dress in high school that I had to cut off my body! It was a stretch fabric and because I wanted to add a ruffle applique around it, I had to hand stitch it on while it was on my body – but I later realized the applique didn’t have stretch and couldn’t come off without cutting it, haha. It was a cute dress and I honestly should remake it – It was a fitted stretch tube dress with a ruffle applique that spiraled down it.
What was your path to starting KkCO?
I always had an interest in design and making clothing. My mom would make a lot of my clothes when I was a child – I have distinct memories of her working on patterns and the humming sound of her sewing machine. I studied design in college (in NY) before moving to Los Angeles right after school. In LA, I stumbled into working for smaller independent designers and then quickly fell in love with the manufacturing process. Los Angeles at the time had such lively factories. After years of working in design and manufacturing, I built deep relationships with a lot of factories and vendors and eventually felt ready to start something of my own. KkCo really came about because of timing and relationships.
What were the early days of the brand like?
I launched KkCo in 2019 and (naively) opened a small sewing room to do all of our manufacturing in house. That was a major learning curve! Haha. Our mini factory lasted about 2 seasons before I shifted to outsourcing our production to local manufacturers. There is a big difference between being able to manage production versus managing a production floor and I learned that the hard way! However, other than that, not much has dramatically changed since launching the brand 6 years ago.
We are happy to still be small and independent so we get to do what we want and answer to no one!
At TOGS, we are interested in things that exist in the intersection of fashion and function. KkCO has a similar focus– I read this on your website:
“The brand is an exploration of juxtaposition and unexpected details. Artfully weaving between masculine and feminine, sport and special occasion, function and form, KkCo occupies the space between. Reveling in the fluid complexities of style, each individual piece is designed with versatility in mind. Utilizing sport and functional fabrications and applying them in unexpected silhouettes, we've become known for bringing outdoor-wear inside.”
Can you explain why this is important to you and what it means for your design process?
I LOVE a functional item – whether it is an article of clothing or outdoor gear. There is something so satisfying about a well designed product that fulfills more than one need.
I always found that I had separate wardrobes for my active lifestyle versus my daily lifestyle and wanted to create something that blurred the line between the two – why can’t I camp in a skirt that I can also wear to the office? I always think about this when designing into our collections.
At its core, KkCo is built to marry form with function and has expanded deeper into exploring this concept of juxtaposition.
You just released the FW25 collection. I’m obsessed, truly. What story does this collection tell? What was inspiring you while you were creating it? Do you have a stand out piece?
Thank you!!! It’s personally one of my favorite collections so far! Our FW25 collection, titled SOFT TECH, is a balance between soft and hard; organic and engineered. I approached this collection wanting functional high-performance pieces that felt softer and sweeter.
So we added ruffles to water-repellent outerwear pieces, created a packable windbreaker in soft hues, and mixed silks with performance fabrics.
It’s hard to pick a favorite – but I’m really in love with our outerwear this season! We started working with a new factory partner that has allowed us to introduce more technical outerwear. Our Terrain Jacket might be a close favorite because of just that. Also, the fabric is pre tie-dyed giving it an added layer of depth and texture.
SOFT TECH launches this Fall with the first drop in September
This interview is happening at a tumultuous time in the world. Many small businesses are bracing for effects of tariffs and supply chain hold ups. I know you produce in small batches in LA–how much are you being affected by these changes?
The world is literally falling apart right before our eyes!!!! Unfortunately, it doesn’t matter where you are producing, we are all affected by these tariffs one way or another. China is the leader in not only manufacturing full garments but they also produce the majority of trims, packaging, fabrics, etc. I would say 95% of the brands out there have some component of their garments made in China. I’m doing my best to stay calm and ride out the chaos. The current tariffs on China are so ridiculous that I can’t imagine things will stay this way.
Let’s hope not…
SUPER FUN BONUS QUESTION:
Kara, if you were a tree…which tree would you be?
A Coastal Redwood for sure. Did you know that they intertwine their roots with each other to help stabilize one another and share nutrients?
There’s a lesson there.
My deepest thanks to Kara for taking time out of her busy schedule for an interview with TOGS. I hope you all are as inspired as I am to wear things that are an expression of your creativity and celebrate your uniqueness, whatever your style may be. Love live functional fashion!
Drop us a comment if you enjoyed today’s interview and thank you for reading ♥
Kellyn
Wow - her work is amazing!! Love.
AND her own styling in that pic 😮💨