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Regina Kalas Bio
Regina Kalas’ knack for coordinating patterns, colors and textures is nothing less than intuitive and has always caught the eye of the discerning. At age 7, she wove delicately intertwined yarn necklaces and doled them out to classmates on demand for 75 cents apiece. Even as a budding entrepreneur, she knew the value of her artistic expression. She reasoned that because she purchased the yarn, she needed to make a profit. Her earnings replenished her materials and—equally important—her candy supply. As a tween, she upgraded her materials, stringing beads into necklaces as she received orders from schoolmates.
As fate would have it, Regina would continue to pursue creative endeavors. Although early on in her career search she had her sights set on the sciences—physical therapy or astronomy to be exact—a college fair affirmed for her the creative path she had already begun to pave. As a result, she studied visual merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, where she refined her aptitude for design and took advantage of a few great opportunities, including internships at W magazine and Neiman Marcus. Upon graduation from FIDM, she accepted a position at Neiman Marcus in fashion styling and window display.
Today, with even greater wit and design acumen, she has launched RK Designs, an artistic and earth-smitten jewelry collection that defines bohemian sophistication. The line was inspired by a necklace she purchased from a high-end retailer that needed to be reassembled. While stringing it, she determined that she could have produced a better quality product and took that notion to task. Drawing from her adventuresome
spirit, she created a collection that uses an eclectic mix of all-natural materials, including sterling silver, wood, turquoise and jade, and takes the eye through a string of unpredictable patterns that culminate in harmony.
RK Designs debuted in April of 2008 with more than 40 distinct necklaces and bracelets. Each handmade, one-of-a-kind item is brimming with patterns, textures and colors that adorn the wearer in creativity and vivacity. The pieces give homage to the earth’s balance and healing properties, using materials such as natural wood and peach aventurine, which is believed to evoke peace. The collection allows cultured women to indulge in a string of yellow opals, basket-weave beads from Bali and smoky topaz paired with sterling cylinders and discs. And it, no doubt, appeals to spunky sophisticates who will unabashedly don its pearls coupled with gun-metal spheres, clear quartz crystal balls and unexpected, funky silver spaceships.
RK Designs reflects a lifetime of design experience cultivated by specialized training and prime opportunities. Regina has coordinated accessories and jewelry with fashions on display at Neiman Marcus. Her talent has helped create distinction in visual merchandising and fashion styling at additional industry notables, such as BCBG Max Azria and Lauren Ralph Lauren. And she has guided young talent through skill development as an instructor at FIDM’s Los Angeles campus. Ten years of visual design and fashion styling expertise give this collection an unequivocally finished look that adds individuality and refinement to any clothing ensemble.
written by Manyesha Batist
