DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: Kevan Hall

Detroit-born Kevan Hall's fashion creativity emerged early. By the age of seven, he had fallen under the spell of a diverse duo of entertainers: Marlene Dietrich and Martha Reeves. After attending Cass Technical High School in Detroit, where he studied fashion design, he won first place as "Designer of Tomorrow" - a scholarship sponsored by the Los Angeles-based Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. While studying in California, he made a vision-enhancing trip to Europe, where at the houses of Cardin, Dior and most notably, Givenchy. His lifelong love of luxury and haute couture was once again sparked. Upon graduation from the Fashion Institute, he received the Peacock Award for "Outstanding Fashion Design".

In 1982, Hall with his wife and partner, Deborah launched Kevan Hall Couture. His collection melded a more relaxed couture look with sensible pricing that pleased retailers and clients alike. “Modern Couture” was created in these day-to-evening collections. The line was showcased in fine department and specialty stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and I. Magnin. By 1989 when he created a new label of less expensive sportswear – Kevan Hall Studio, Hall was firmly established as one of America’s most talented designers.

While in California, Hall’s childhood dream of designing for film and television was realized when he created memorable dresses for celebrities such as Meg Ryan, Lynn Whitfield, Dana Delaney and Natalie Cole. In addition to being one of the designers chosen to dress Ethel Bradley (wife of the late Mayor Tom Bradley) for the 1984 Olympics, Hall was nominated in 1988 by fashion retailers and the press as one of California’s top designers. In 1989, he was not only included in the “Soul on Seventh Avenue” show sponsored by Fairchild Publications, but was also chosen by the NAACP to receive their “Great American Designer” award. In 1990, his participation in the national Absolut Vodka campaign featured in Vanity Fair underscored his broad-based appeal. In 1992, he was honored by The Center of Performing Arts in Southern California with a 10-year fashion retrospective. For many, this would be a career capper. For Hall, it was only a stepping stone as he branched out into motion pictures, acting as costume consultant on 1997’s “Gridlock” and “Eve’s Bayou” (the most successful independent film of the year”.

Redefining glamour for a new generation is an interpretive art. Redefining the hallowed house of Halston into the next millennium was an even more challenging task. But Kevan Hall--who stepped into the prestigious position of Design and Creative Director from fall 1998 - spring 2000 revived the dead brand to its former glory. His sleek eveningwear was worn by a distinguished coterie of celebrated artists- including Celine Dion, Lauren Holly, Christine Lahti, Charlize Theron, Mariah Carey, Salma Hayek and Minnie Driver.

He launches his own signature, Kevan Hall Collection with a fashion philosophy that emphasizes purity of style, incomparable tailoring and sensuously draped streamlined silhouettes; Hall has a natural design sense of sophisticated elegance and uncluttered modern design. Hall’s designs have been embraced by fashion retailers and the press. In 2001, Absolut Vodka honored Hall by showcasing his Spring collection in their tribute to African designer worldwide tour. His lovely atelier in Los Angeles was featured in the July 2002 issue of Interior Design magazine. It confirmed his keen eye for design and incredible color sense. Also in 2002, Hall won the 47 th Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award in Chicago as Designer of the Year.

He has continued to dress celebrity clients and is always in high demand for private consultations with the socially elite. Hall has made guest appearances on national TV shows such as Inside Edition, The Better Half, SoapTalk and Extreme Makeover where he discussed fashion‘s current trends. Whitney Houston commissioned Hall to design a liquid gold charmeuse gown for her special appearance in the final episode of Boston Public.

With his own Signature collection, his philosophy of fashion has remained true to those early days when he first spied Marlene and Martha at the age of seven. "I enjoy the process of design from concept to execution," he states. "But the most gratifying part is seeing a design come to life on a beautiful woman." Rejecting trends and fads in favor of a lasting signature look, Hall's hallmark of glamour with a modern sensibility is a priceless gift to the welcoming world.