Jen Kao’s Graphic Collection

For Jen Kao, creative expression is at the heart of her Spring collection. Dresses and coats were formed from collages of graphic prints, bold patterns and textures, and adding to the drama were overlays of intricately origami cut paper accessories. By pushing the creative boundaries each season, Jen Kao demonstrates her ability to bridge the worlds of art and fashion.

My customer is a woman who is always moving and always making things move.” Kao says, “There are intelligent ways to convey sexuality. A woman can emphasize her assets, internal and external, without revealing the obvious.”

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Kansas, Kao moved to New York City in 1999 to study Studio Art at NYU. Building on her passion for fine art and with a desire to explore three-dimensional design, Kao recognized her growing interest in textile construction. She subsequently obtained a graduate degree in fashion design from Parsons.

Jen Kao debuted her eponymous Spring 2008 Collection with a show dedicated to her peers; strong, modern, and complex individuals with a cultivated sense of personal style. She has established an identity as a designer known for innovative tailoring, intricately seamed leather pieces, and experimental knits. Kao’s talent for three-dimensional sculptural art is reflected in her design aesthetic, highlighting the contrast between architectural construction and fluid draping.

Jen Kao’s empowering sophistication has won her notable fans and multiple collaborations with some of today’s most influential artistic talents. The Jen Kao collection is crafted in New York City and is carried at top specialty stores worldwide.

Asian models in the show: Lina Zhang (Fusion), Tian Yi (Fusion)