About Kalai Kai

Kalai Kai collections are heavily inspired by the beauty of traditional and natural materials and the culture of my heritage. I draw on a variety of experiences, sights and textures to personalize my designs with my own unique touch. I hope to offer both a modern and fun vibe, yet still maintain classic elegance.My mission is to provide designs that make a statement with distinct sophistication, complimenting your own style and desire to express yourself.What is Kalai Kai? It’s a very special name to me since it’s the nickname I was given as a child and a name that has stuck with me among my family. Nicknames are commonplace in the Philippines, which is where my parents are from. Sometimes the nicknames resemble a given name, but with a fun twist, hence Kalai Kai playing off of my name, Karen. Now I’'ve adopted it as my brand name to say a little about who I am and where I’'m from.After years of contemplating what to do professionally and how to harness my skills, my family and friends encouraged me to take my love for accessories and fashion to a whole new level and start a career as an independent designer. I studied patternmaking and design while living in the Philippines for several years and also ventured into jewelry making. When I returned to the United States I established Kalai Kai and began to receive small orders from boutiques. For the last couple years I have focused on upcycling clothing, hand-making everything at my home, and showing my work at local fashion shows. I am now looking at expanding my business and am currently designing a new line of gowns to debut in stores in Spring 2012.Thanks for stopping by!Karen Garalde
Line Frame

GALLERY

Spring / Summer 2012 Collection

Custom Wedding

Accesories

Upcycled Clothing

COMING SOON

GALLERY

Spring / Summer 2012 Collection

Custom Wedding

GALLERY

Custom Wedding

Custom Wedding Gown
Custom Wedding Gown
Custom Wedding Gown
Custom Wedding Gown Detail
Flower Girl Separates
Custom Gown
Gatsby Wedding Gown
Gatsby Wedding Gown

Accessories

GALLERY

Accessories

Treble Clef Earrings

Upcycled Clothing

GALLERY

Upcycled Clothing

Altered vintage and thrift store finds.

Deadstock fabric gowns.

Plaid top

Plaid top

Striped Top

ECO / ART / FASHION

FASHION CONSUMED

Paper Dress

Burlap and Pine Cones

Dyed fabric dryer sheet gown

Rice sack dress

Coffee bag dress

Coffee Dress

Fashion From Non-Traditional, Recycled Materials
In April 2010 I heard about a fashion design competition for Baltimore's 2010 Artscape festival. Entrants were asked to design an original garment from non-traditional materials that were primarily recyclable or reusable. Ready to challenge my creative side and try to make an eco-friendly statement, I decided to get to work!After entering pictures of my first garment, I was chosen as one of five finalists and created 4 more garmets in the same vein. Each finalist in Artscape's Being Green Rocks design competition showcased their collection on the Artscape Fashion Runway to a cheering crowd on Sunday July 18th, 2010 and I was honored to be chosen the winner.Encouraged by the recognition of my work and inspired by the research of materials and the process involved in developing my five eco-garments, I've decided to continue with these projects every year to make a statement about reuse of materials and show that even "waste" can be attractive and fashionable!Please click on the photos in the scrolling gallery to the right for enlarged photos and descriptions of the projects I call "Fashion Consumed".

BUY

WHERE TO BUY

Please contact me if you are interested in any of the products you find on this site.

Some Kalai Kai jewelry and upclyced clothing are also available at the following boutiques:

NEWS / EVENTS

NEWS & EVENTS
UPCOMINGCheck back soon!PREVIOUSBaltimore Fashion Week 2011 (August 18, 2011)Pageboy Salon & Boutique, Lawrenceville Blossom Tour (May 7-8, 2011)Liberation by Design - Fashion Show (April 9, 2011) and Auction (April 9-18, 2011)Photo Shoot at Roy Cox Photography Studio with KIS Agency: Behind the Scenes Video (January 22, 2011) Check out this behind the scenes video of a photo shoot I participated in at Roy Cox Photography Studio. Lana Rae of KIS Agency asked me to provide some of my garments to outfit her models for their portfolios.2011 Annapolis Bridal Expo (January 9, 2011)Catwalk For A Cause (November 14, 2010) - A fashion show to benefit the Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.Fells Point Fun Festival 2010 (October 2-3)Fashion at Artscape 2010 Design Competition - "Being Green Rocks" (July 18, 2010) - First Place!Featured artist at Illuminate, presented by City Paper & Landbank Lofts (April 22, 2010)Featured artist at City Papers Illuminate (December 3, 2009)Featured Built in Baltimore II designer at Shine Collectives First Friday (June 5, 2009)

PRESS

PRESS
8/18/2011 WJZ:13: People Are Talking8/17/2011 B the site Blog Photos: Creating Fashion 8/16/2011 The Annapolis SOUND: A Decibel Desparate, Karen Garalde's Wearable Art8/10/2011 B the site Blog Post: Baltimore Fashion Week models, designers 1/19/2011 Rit Dye Blog Post: Recycled Craft #10 This Green Fashion Rocks!1/6/2011 Baltimore Examiner Article: Dont trash your outdated clothes, Upcycle them9/3/2010 Urbanite Baltimore: Riches from Rags Filipino-American designer Karen Garalde discusses upcycling clothing in an over-consumed society8/11/2010 Blog Post - Ms Charms Chic: Chic School 101 - Upcycling with Karen Garalde8/10/2010 Blog Post - Ms. Charms Chic: Behind the Artscape Seams

CONTACT

CONTACT ME

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© 2010-2012 by Kalai Kai