Mandy Nolan
This Saturday sees an innovative fashion cabaret hit the stage at the Byron Brewery. Seven spoke with Prem Kasho of Kali’s Kreations about her idea to take a simple clothing line launch and make it a spectacular.
Describe the concept of what you are presenting at your fashion show.
My initial concept was to showcase my spring/summer line and create notoriety for my recently opened clothing, home and giftware boutique located in Brunswick Heads, but that has organically evolved into also wanting to present a show where women are acknowledged for their talents and come together as a united front to showcase them, promote themselves and, most importantly, reclaim their sisterhood.
What was the inspiration for you to put this together?
My clothing was obviously my first inspiration, and wanting to share my pride in my pieces with others.
The generosity of everyone I approached to support my fashion showcase was a massive inspiration. I was filled with so much love and humility from that that I decided it couldn’t just be about me any more; I wanted to share that stage with everyone involved.
How did you get everyone together?
Prior to the event’s coming together, I had only personally met two of the women involved. Through the power of Facebook, and of course universal manifestation, the performers and creatives slowly banded together. I asked the universe to ‘bring them to me’… She did! I would be working in my shop, and customers would end up revealing they had one talent or another, and I would add them to the lineup!
What are the most important things for you in realising your creative vision?
This experience has made me realise how vital it is to me to manifest my inner dream world and see it take form in the physical plane. We are conditioned as women to feel wholly satisfied by birthing children and maintaining the home, but we need to be supported and encouraged to have strength to ‘birth’ our longings as artists, as individuals and as entrepreneurs.
How did you become a designer?
I have been travelling to Bali for more than nine years now, buying and reselling a wide range of items. I had always wanted to do my own line of clothes. I believe I have a very good eye for what is in, and many times will have imagined something to be popular ahead of time. After numerous travels, and being inspired and influenced by so many of the European designers based in Bali, I started to format my collection… and here we are.
What are the challenges of being a designer or small-business operator in the Byron Shire?
I think the hardest thing for me is to not compare myself with what others are doing, and hold them on a pedestal because they can present themselves to the public in a way that I am unable to because of lack of funds.
I have often had great ideas a year or even two before I would see it in boutiques in Bali, but as I didn’t have the cash to produce, I would miss the boat, and the next thing I would see similar ideas making strides in the market. I hate to just bring it all down to money but with business it really is relying on being able to promote yourself. Money makes that happen and this is why this event means so much to me, as generosity of heart, not money, has enabled its growth.
The event is themed around Women’s Business – do you think we as women face different challenges?
I think being a woman is one of the most challenging experiences a soul can take on! We are such complex creatures with such a deep potential of giving and wisdom, and have been conditioned to ignore our intuition and strength. We are not appreciated nearly enough for the magnitude of things we deal with or the amount of energy we share with our families and partners, or in the workplace. This event is in honour of women. Having said that, it isn’t a ‘feminist’ night, where we shun our male counterparts… we want men to attend, and appreciate the multifaceted being that is woman.
Tell me what to expect for the Byron Brewery showcase?
The show will be a combination of fashion processions and fantastic variety acts… you can expect lots of colour, laughs, maybe a tear or two, and to dance your arse off to the wicked DJ set that will finish the night.
Featuring burlesque chanteuse Belle Benet, Pole Catz, Saphira von Wilde, Debbie Davies, Luana, Hoopla Circus, me as MC, and much more!
$30 earlybird/$35 door. Online tix at byronbaybrewery.com.au.
Saturday at the Brewery. Complimentary champagne on arrival at 5.30pm.
