Joshua McKinley – 2018 Inspired
Love…we are all searching for it and I think it’s truly one of the most beautiful and complex things about life and humans. You fall into it and out of it with the hopes of finding the one true love that will last a lifetime and for all eternity. This collection and these designs are about that complex journey to find love, comfort, and security and when you do, bask in it with such confidence and luxury that no outside forces can have any influence on you. With that said, BREAKING NEWS: I fell in love this past year! It’s not “FAKE NEWS” but I know what you’re thinking “Damn, he’s off the market!” Well let me calm you, not with a person…I reawakened my love and respect for New York City. It may sound peculiar, but love comes in all shapes and sizes…as do our dresses! Wink-wink! This collection has influences from my early uninhibited days as a design student at The Fashion Institute of Technology, where going out on the town with your friends and exploring the city in outrages outfits was the norm, all the while having the ability to just embrace the freedom of creativity that this city enables you to have. No one was watching over you to tell you yes or no, it was you discovering you! That discovery is really what has molded me as a designer and what has helped to bring this collection to life. As I have matured and developed here in NYC over the past 10 years there are pieces in my collection that are outrageous and innovative, then there are pieces that are more subdued, sophisticated, and thought-provoking. If you look at Style # 8043, it portrays the layers and the levels of this historic city from a 3-D embellishment feature. Then you get a glimpse of a Studio 54 dancing diva in Style # 8110. I fell in love again because I began to look at New York City from a different perspective. As I have always known, it’s hard; it soft, it’s a take-no-prisoners landscape but it always works out the way it is destined to. As in Frank Sinatra’s song “New York, New York” “if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” That is how I feel about this collection and these dresses. There is a variety of design styles and a juxtaposition to all of them but as a whole there is a beautiful harmony. It can be a “go-with-the-flow” moment like Style # 8090 or it can be fitted and tough like armor resembling Style #8042. Whichever style speaks to you the loudest is truly the fairest of them all and what would become of “love” if it weren’t for fairytales!? I’m sorry the clock struck 12, if you find my glass slipper can you bring it to market; I can’t wait to see you all!Johnathan Kayne – A Mother’s Love, 2018 Inspiration
My collection is inspired by my mother, Judith Kaye Smith. A very strong woman that unknowingly taught me so much about what makes a woman feel beautiful. She taught me to take time to listen to her, understand her, love her, and most importantly respect her. She taught me how to be in tune with my heart and emotions, and that showing vulnerability is strength, not weakness.
I lost my mom unexpectedly a year ago this past May, which was right before all of the fit testing, photo shoots, sample revisions, and everything else that went into the preparation of our SS17 Collection launch in August.
We had our most successful market ever in Atlanta and it warms my heart to think my mom had a hand in it. I couldn’t think of a better way to honor my mother than to design a collection inspired by her. Part of my healing process was to be humble in the face of this tragedy and to be thankful for the time I had with my mother and the many blessings she taught me.
My mother was full of layers and depth. She was one of the sweetest, most caring people you could ever meet. She was passionate, loving, and beautiful. She was vulnerable, but strong. My mother, like most women, was fearless, especially if you messed with her children. She was gentle and knew just what to do to make you feel better. My mother was incredibly humble and never wanted to inconvenience anyone. She always took care of everyone else, and rarely took care of herself. Her sense of humor was adored. My heart is my favorite gift from my mother. From the literal sense because each beat gives me vivacious life, and from the figurative sense because she taught me to love people and be compassionate. I began designing because of my admiration for women and the feeling in my heart when I helped someone feel beautiful when they didn’t before.
Just like my dear momma Judy, this collection is full of layers like an onion and cannot be described as just one thing. There are soft, angelic moments of silk chiffon, strong inner construction, romantic moments of lace, simple silhouettes, dramatic beadwork, and functional design innovation. With this collection you can be powerful, sensitive, romantic, fearless, and empowered. It is a collection with a heart and a valuable purpose: To empower you to feel beautiful at life’s special events.
Total Divas LOVE Total Glam!
Total Divas is a reality TV series on E! that follows the life of WWE superstars, like our friend CJ Perry. CJ, a.k.a Lana has teamed with Johnathan Kayne to provide her with one of our most beloved styles, the 461. The full sequin gown is just the right kind of sparkle for the ring and the red carpet. Lana asked Kayne to customize her ensemble with a halter strap and high slit. WWE Superstar Lana is a professional wrestler, dancer, actor, and model. She launched her career in the movie Pitch Perfect as a singer. She also made a name for herself dancing back up for superstars like Nelly, Pink, Usher, and Akon. Since she signed with WWE in 2013, the superstar’s popularity has skyrocketed. Click here to join her 2.4 million followers on Instagram and be sure to watch her on Total Divas on E!.
JK & JM China Experiences
Not only did our designers learn a lot while working hard all day in the factory but while in China they got to experience the history and culture of China. While they were on their trip Kayne got to celebrate his birthday with some of the factory workers that included dinner and a painting party. Joshua experienced that soda in China is packaged different. Many more adventures were practiced during the few weeks they were there.
Behind the Scenes with Lindsay Ell
Working in Music City often presents unique opportunities. This month country artist Lindsay Ell and her stylist John Murphy worked exclusively with Kayne to pull for her summer tour, international television appearances, and red carpet for the CMT Awards.
“Lindsay is a joy to dress for the red carpet because she loves innovative, sexy and dramatic silhouettes. She trusts her stylist and I on what will move and photograph well.” – Kayne
Johnathan Kayne photoshoot! Behind the Scenes of SS2017!
Sexy, dramatic fashion? Check. Fierce models? Check. Triple-shot venti sugar free hazelnut skinny latté? You better believe it! It takes the extremes to make a magazine worthy fashion shoot happen in just one day. Thank goodness the creative team behind the Johnathan Kayne brand was on point this year. The photoshoot was meant to catch Kayne’s vision of modern glamour and was held in an exclusive loft set in downtown Nashville, TN. Our in house video expert, Ashley, put together a fun montage looking behind the curtain. Enjoy a great preview of our Spring 2017 collections and a good laugh at some of our candid moments.
Runway at Rayna’s
What does Florida Georgia Line, NYC Models, ABC’s TV Series Nashville, and Johnathan Kayne have in common? All came together in their own way to help put on one ROCKING FUNDRAISER for Nashville’s Second Harvest Food Bank last month. “Off The Record” was a wonderful evening that only fashion + music could create. The event was held at the Sylvia Roberts Estate, which is used for Rayna James’ character’s house on ABC’s TV Series Nashville. With the 20,000 Sq Ft home being the opening act, the Runway show was set up in a house sized tent in the back yard. Johnathan Kayne gowns strolled down an amazing runway along side John Varvatos, Gucci, Amanda Valentine, Tribe Kelley, Cole Haan, and many others. In between designer walks, performances were given by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and Big N Rich. Check out some of the pics:Johnathan Kayne Helps Fight Hunger!
Celebrity Designer Fights Hunger through his blog, Glamorous Fashion! Johnathan Kayne was overjoyed to work with the National Charity Organization Feeding America, during September’s Hunger Action month. In his post, Kayne talks about the inspiration for his “Hunger Action” gown and how his own life has been touched by hunger. Please click here to check out the article and the organization’s website. Meghan Linsey Interview
Our brand manager, Nacona, interviewed one of NBC’s newest reality successes after being styled by Kayne for a couple of appearances here in Nashville.
I live under a rock when it comes to television, but I’ve heard that you just took 1st runner up on the show “The Voice,” right?
Yea, I recently competed on Season 8. It was awesome. There were a lot of really long days, but I really thrive on hard work. Seeing the payoff in the end was a huge confidence booster. Just knowing that America was voting for me and cheering me on, brought life back into my work.
You had a pretty successful career before the show too, right?
Well you could say that. I’ve been working in Nashville for about 11 years. For the first part of it, I played with a group called Steel Magnolias. I’ve been working independently for the past 3-4 years.
Switching gears a little. I know some artists could care less about what they are wearing. How does fashion play into your life?
I love it. Fashion and style in general are a big part of my life; I’m really into reinventing my look. I even have a style blog on my website where I talk about fashion and new products.
That’s amazing I’ll definitely check that out. When were you introduced to Kayne? What caught your eye?
It seems like I’ve run into him or his work over the last couple of years. I can’t remember what show she was at, but when I saw Kellie Pickler in that navy dress I was in awe. She looked incredible.
You had some events this month where you wore his designs. How was working with him?
Working with Kayne was a breath of fresh air. he was so accommodating and had some amazing ideas. As a curvy woman, it was great to work with someone who understands a woman’s body and caters to that.
What did you wear, and how did you feel?
So comfortable! I wore a solid black two piece for a cover shoot for the Nashville Arts Magazine and a powder blue cocktail while hosting the GLAAD Awards. I was so thankful that they fit so well!
Just one last question. What are you going to say to Beyonce when she is stalking you behind stage for information on Johnathan Kayne?
(After some laughter) Girl, you’ve got to call him. Let me get you his number.
Boys and Girls Club of Middle Tennessee
This month 14 young fashionistas from the local Boys and Girls Club ranging from 8-12 took a special field trip to the Johnathan Kayne headquarters! These aspiring designers and models learned industry trade secrets during their Q&A mentoring session. They then let their personality shine in a sketch competition and super model walk showdown. There was no shortage of sass with this group! You can learn more about the Boys and Girls Club here.
