Fashion Conscience

Oooh, the long, slender silhouette of the Skinny Top and ahhh, the cozy-yet-sexy vibe of the Flashdance Top, KD Dance is the apparel you’re gonna gush over.

Their new collection, “Shadow Stripe”, was inspired by the idea of finding a happy medium between sheer and opaque fabric. (Love it.) Dancer-turned-fashion-designer David Lee is the man behind the KD Dance brand. “In the case of shadow stripe, I wanted pieces that were just a little edgy, but still basics to flaunt in any situation.” 

While dancing professionally in San Fran, David and his partner, Tricia Kaye, discovered that there was a lack of interesting, comfortable knitwear. “We started making pieces we liked and always stayed committed to the creative side of it.”

Not only does KD Dance keep style in mind; “Our copywriter looked at our history, our approach to lines and our concern with bodies, health, wellness and movement. Our motto: ‘Fashion with a Conscience’ was born.” (Hello, tagline police... this is good.)

As we spoke with David, machinery buzzed and beeped in the background. “That’s what happens in a factory! We’re involved in every step, from sketching to production to shipping. We always take purpose, function and style into consideration from a purely dance-inspired point of view.”

David was a high school musical boy turned ballet addict. “Ballet helped put me through college. It became central to everything I did, and still is.”

David’s inspired by Baryshnikov: “He’s one of those people who are totally committed and consumed by dance. He comes across to me as someone who lives, eats, drinks, and sleeps dance. And he’s still at it.”

Why should the next generation consider this a fashion trend for 2010? “Because it’s KD Dance. We’re all about filling in the blanks and putting our own spin on it,” David said.

Feel good about dance fashion again at www.kddance.com and if you’re in NY, visit their boutique for a splurge.