By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review
Driven by a passion for fashion, as well as a desire to help others, Apple Valley resident Kimberly Douglas is blazing her own trail as a philanthropist and image stylist. In November 2013, Douglas hosted an Outreach Fashion Show to raise money for Sojourner Haven Girls’ Group Home in Victorville, which she said was a smashing success.
Later this year, the Granite Hills High School graduate will hold her second show to benefit California Family Life Center in Hemet. She said the events allow her to not only showcase her fashion design talents but also go a long way toward outfitting young girls with clothes that make them feel like a million bucks.
“The clothes in my last show were donated by friends and family,” said Douglas, 19. “I revamped them by bleaching, cutting, studding and adding accessories to the clothing. Those same clothes were also donated to the girls as a Christmas gift. To see the girls’ faces when I gave them and they opened them was a rewarding experience and the best gift I received that year. That’s when I decided to put on another show.”
Douglas said she'll hand-make all the clothing for her upcoming show in Hemet, as well as designers from the college she attends, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. She plans to charge $5 admission, which will help to fund the event.
“One hundred percent of the money I raise will go to a girls group home for new clothes and also to provide materials for the hand-designed clothing,” said Douglas. “I’m also hoping to get some local sponsors to donate to this really worthwhile cause.”
According to Douglas, she fell in love with fashion at a young age but it wasn’t until her freshman year in high school that she decided to follow it as a career path.
“Believe it or not, I had always wanted to be a doctor but as time went on, I realized I can’t stand the sight of blood,” said Douglas. “That being the case, medical school was out. So my mom asked me one day what I wanted to do with my life and after doing some research about jobs in the fashion industry, I knew I wanted to become a stylist.”
While Douglas admits she doesn’t have a talent for sewing, she does have an eye for taking existing clothing and revamping it with beads, dye and other craft materials. She calls it DIY fashion and said it’s a growing trend in the industry.
“DIY clothing is something I’m really into and it’s amazing what you can do with a glue gun, scissors, or a little bleach,” said Douglas. “Teens really love this type of fashion because it makes a statement.”
Douglas said she is still in need of seamstresses and designers for her upcoming show. She also is hoping to raise the money needed for materials and supplies and has started a Go Fund Me page at www.gofundme.com/outreachfundraiser.
“I love the idea that not only am I able to follow a path in the fashion world but also have the ability to help lots of young girls through the shows I’m producing,” said Douglas. “To be able to give back is very important for me and a really nice feeling.”
— L.J. Gambone is a freelance reporter for High Desert Media Group. Visit her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/victorvalleyhappenings.