Kenneth D. King
Education
BFA, Central State University
Biography
Kenneth D. King launched his own haute couture evening wear design business in 1987 and his work appears in the permanent collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the DeYoung Museumin San Francisco. He appeared in the PBS TV series Sewing Today and is a published author of titles including Designer Techniques, Designer Bead Embroidery, and Cool Couture. King is the author of 12 books on CD covering various aspects of couture sewing and patternmaking techniques. He also serves as a contributing editor and writer for Threads Magazine.
King holds a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising and learned patternmaking with a Paris-trained couture patternmaker.
Research Interests
King's reseach interests encompass all types of garment construction and patternmaking.
Selected Publications
Designer Techniques, Sterling Publications, 1996
Designer Bead Embroidery, Quarto Publications, 2006
Cool Couture, Creative Publishing, 2008
Smart Fitting Solutions, Taunton Press, 2018
Threads Magazine, contributing editor, 2005-present, selected articles:
- Issue 46: Bustier construction
- Issue 102: Fitting
- Issue 108: Couture embellishment
- Issue 124: Notch lapel
- Issue 135: Interlinings
- Issue 135: Hand stitches
- Issue 136: Hidden lining pocket
- Issue 137: Brush fringed tailoring
- Issue 138: Origami welt pocket
- Issue 139 Gussets in facings
- Issue 142 Fabric flowers
- Issue 144: French reweaving
- Issue 146: Couture garment preservation
- Issues 147-150: Series on garment fitting
- Issue 151: Laser cutting
- Issue 152: Constructing with double cloth
- Issue 153: Drafting and constructing the diamond gusset
- Issue 155: Couture Hong Kong finish
- Issue 156: Shadow applique on chiffon
- Issue 156-157: Hand stitching
- Issue 156: Creating an underarm gusset in existing garments
- Issue 157: Article on the Metropolitan Opera's costume shop
- Issue 158: Bias insertion trim
- Issue 159: Slashing as embellishment
- Issue 161: Padding a custom dress form
- Issue 162: Threads challenge-Alexander McQueen mesh fabric
- Issue 163: Drafting and constructing a peplum
Video Series
Educational video series for Taunton Press/Threads Magazine:
- Smart Fitting with Kenneth D. King, 2013
- Smart Tailoring with Kenneth D. King, 2014
- Smart Sewing Order with Kenneth D. King, 2015
- Smart Sewing with Fake Fur, 2015
- Smart Sewing with Fabulous Fabrics, 2017
Online classes for craftsy.com:
- Sewing the Velveteen Jacket, 2020
- Jeanious, 2012
- Pockets, 2014
- The carefree fly-front jacket, 2015
- Smart Sewing with Fabulous Fabrics, 2016
Exhibitions
San Francisco Legion of Honor Museum, Fashion and Anti-Fashion, group show, Spring 2004
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, group show, Spring 1994
Philadelphia Museum of Art, hat show, Fall 1993
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, group show for trustees, 1992
Southern Exposure Gallery, San Francisco, CA, group exhibition of work, May 1986
World Print Gallery, San Francisco, CA, group exhibition of work, June 1986
Museum Permanent Collections
The Victoria and Albert Museum, London (evening hat)
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (assorted works)
The M. H. DeYoung Museum, San Francisco (assorted works)
The Oakland Museum, Oakland, CA (evening wrap)
Courses
- AP 242 Haute Couture Sewing Techniques
- AP 243 Haute Couture Decorative Techniques and Embellishments
- AP 244 Haute Couture Construction and Technology
- AP 275 Haute Couture Apparel Design
- FD 231 Haute Couture Sewing Techniques
- FD 383 Haute Couture Embellishments
Websites
Connect
Facebook: Kenneth D. King Design
Twitter: @kennethdking
Instagram: @kennethdking