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In six brief years, BC clothier Casey Lamb has constructed her personal high-end vogue model and has created outfits for the likes of Canadian popstar Carly Rae Jepsen, triple risk [can sing, dance and act] Keke Palmer and American rapper Saweetie.

Lamb is the proprietor of KSLAM, a play on her identify, the place she makes one-of-a-kind, sustainable items. She based it in 2016 on the age of 18, understanding little about operating a enterprise.

“I am strongest once I’m simply stitching and creating,” she stated. “Initially, I am an artist making clothes and arising with new designs.”

Her work is now accessible in a number of boutiques on the West Coast, and she or he sells her merchandise straight on her web site, the place she will be able to ship her garments worldwide.

A self-taught designer, Lamb says she began turning into concerned with artwork in highschool. Whereas pursuing a profession in sociology at college, she began display screen printing T-shirts that includes a few of her artwork.

“I really feel like I’ve at all times been such a hands-on individual,” she stated.

Early on, she says, she began going to thrift shops searching for objects that might in any other case be tossed apart to discover a approach to give them new life.

She’s since designed collections out of outdated reworked belts and even knives.

“I feel the sustainability side begins with me,” she stated.

“I am one individual making my garments. Utilizing deadstock [surplus] material is an efficient approach to make the most of supplies that might in any other case find yourself in a landfill or abroad someplace.”

Lam feels her clothes embodies confidence and independence, issues she strives for in her private life, too.

“It is nearly being unique and creating what I feel is true to myself.”

She says she does all the stitching herself — which suggests items can take weeks to create relying on what the customer is searching for.

KSLAM has been featured by Vancouver Style Week and in magazines, which Lamb stated had been huge ego boosts for her however did not end in extra gross sales — however she’s OK with that.

“As a result of I am making all the pieces it could like, kill me. It is simply so exhausting.”

She may rent a publicist or a social media supervisor or different employees to assist out, however she says she’s proud of the way in which her enterprise goes.

“For me, it is simply turn out to be extra about me simply figuring it out by myself and sort of following extra what I consider somewhat than listening to another person,” she stated.

“I feel as my enterprise grows, I am additionally rising.”