Kate Roebuck is a vision of success. Just over a year has passed since she graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor of fine arts in fabric design. She now works under Susan Hable at Hable Construction, a booming textile and fabric design company based in New York. Kate also has her own clothing and accessory line that runs under the names of ‘Stella James’ and ‘Of the Stars.’

The road to success is a tough travel for artists; most struggle their entire lives and never reach the end. Kate is quite the exception—but her success has not come without hard work and learning.

Kate moved to Georgia from Pittsburgh, Pa. with the initial desire to obtain a fashion merchandising degree. She quickly realized that her love for fashion transcended the textbook history she was being taught.

“I felt like I wasn’t being creative, that I wasn’t getting my hands dirty,” Kate stated.

She had an itch for more involvement, and swiftly changed her major to fabric design. Her love had finally found its match in the printing and weaving of textiles. Curiosity soon led Kate into sewing, and she taught herself how to make clothes.

After graduating, Kate sought after an internship that related to her field. She applied to 40 different fashion companies and got responses from three. One of which was Hable Construction up in New York. After her interview, she knew this was the internship for her.

“The laidback quality of the people was really awesome, and I wasn’t going to be running around getting coffee,” she said.

Kate collaborated with Hable Construction owner Susan Hable, translating Susan’s motifs and ideas into patterns for fabric via computer design software. When the internship ended, Susan offered Kate a fulltime job back in Athens, where she now continues to work.

Working with Hable Construction has influenced Kate’s personal design style and process. Her focus is now fabric manipulation, taking a two-dimensional object and creating something that becomes three-dimensional. The profusion of color and pattern in Hable Construction’s designs has trickled into Kate’s work as well. These combine with her love of texture and all that is ‘girly’ to form dresses, skirts, pillows, napkins, garlands, hairpins and earrings that are brilliantly colored and begging to be touched.

Her creations are elusive in their design.

“I create things that people can enjoy that are made out of fabric and you wouldn’t know that’s where it began,” Kate said. “Even most of my garments have a three-dimensional or built up quality, like the wings or collar on a dress.”

Her accessory line is especially obscure. Zippers become roses and multiple layers of fabric strips become carnations. One of Kate’s art pieces entitled ‘Swan’ is a voluminous knee-length dress composed of hundreds of flowers and feathers formed out of fabric strips.

Kate’s unique designs are inspired by a blend of old with new and traditional with contemporary. She looks in old books for historical references and the modern interior magazine World of Interiors for new age ideas.

“I love translating interior spaces into fashion,” Kate stated.

She also pulls inspiration from her own photography, capturing snapshots of her world and revealing what she sees through her fabrics and prints.

A spectrum of designers influences Kate, ranging from preppy to edgy to classic. Marni, Zac Posen and Temperley are her recent favorites. Kate also looks up to her boss Susan Hable.

“She has a really fashionable perspective but is also successful with interiors, a whole other facet of fabric design. She’s really knowledgeable. I love her paintings and drawings.”

Kate’s clothing and accessory line is ‘Stella James,’ also known as ‘Of the Stars.’ Her clothing specialty is the dress, designed in a signature ‘sack’ fit that she has tailored to look good on every figure type. Every dress Kate makes is a one-of-a-kind piece that is cut, printed and sewn without using a pre-drawn pattern.

Kate’s goal is to provide clothing and accessories that are low cost and handmade, think ‘affordable couture.’ Her hairpins and earrings are between $9 and $12, and her larger flower pins are $18. Dresses and pillows are priced by the total number of hours Kate works on them, with a rate of $15 an hour.

What does the future hold for Kate? Much more sewing! Kate is teaching herself how to make jackets and pants, and hopes to soon cross into the realm of upholstery. ‘Stella James’ and ‘Of the Stars’ have expanded into custom wear, such as creating special occasion dresses for brides-to-be and for husbands to give to their wives as gifts. Kate loves the personal experience involved with custom creations.

“I’m measuring people, I’m coming up with the designs – or maybe it’s collaborative – and then I’m sewing it. Dresses, skirts, pants, shorts, jackets…whatever kind of garment they want. I like to think of them more as art pieces.”

To purchase any of Kate Roebuck’s creations or query her about a custom garment, visit her Etsy shop ‘Stella James’ at www.etsy.com.

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