Introducing.... The Origin Story of Kirated Design and the OG Golden Bee Key Fob

Our creative journey started with the OG Golden Bee Key Fob.

The GOLDEN BEE Key Fob is a KiRated Design by Kira V. It is an original design, with an embroidered GOLDEN BEE on the thick cotton material. This is a great gift for anyone who wants a stylish key fob. This handmade item is BOTH Stylish and ORIGINAL. It is a functional Key Fob and fashionistas may want to use it as a Chic handbag accessory (just clip it on!). Measures approx. 7 inches including hardware. Available in Navy/Red and Hunter/Red with quality Gold or Silver metal hardware.

OG KEY Fob top to bottom, Navy/Red OG bee Key fob, below is the Chocolate, tan, hunter and red. Both have silver hardware. — OG KEY Fob by KIRA V

How it all started….the origin story of Kirated Design

In 2017, we were looking for a creative outlet. We loved window shopping in midtown and especially spent time on 5th Avenue and Madison, popping in and out of boutiques and department stores. Always an avid shopper and consumer of luxury goods, we were always looking for what’s next. Especially loved walking midtown Madison (heading uptown) and the eye-candy displays at the 3 B’s. Bergdorf Goodman’s, Henri Bendels’ and the shopping mecca on Lex, Bloomingdales. Even though Bendels has since closed, I consider myself a #bendelgirl and #bendelgirlforlife. I am sorely going to miss the fig fragrance from Bendels and hope to find something from Jo Malone to replace it.

Photo of Good Vibes, painted jacket from one of the windows at SAKS

One Saturday after getting a cut/color at John Sahag, I was inspired by Santino who was not my hairstylist, but another stylist at Sahag Workshop. Santino is a vibe. This day, he was wearing this colorful, neon bright, patterned and spectacular outfit. In addition to his rainbow tie dye tee, he had these aztec print Ralph Lauren jeans. It was the RL jeans that really captured me. Santino had taken the jeans apart and then customized the outseams into frayed fringies. The print was fantastic, the fraying took the jeans to another level. He told me how he did it and encouraged me to make my own. Consider me inspired. Photo below. #bendelgal That’s me carrying my Bendel tote bag apres appointment with Elizabeth my hairstylist.

Close-up photo detail of Santino’s RL Polo Aztec customized jeans with the fray fringie out seam and distressing.

photo showing the Close up detail of customized RL jeans with outseam frayed and distressing on the thigh area

Feeling inspired and fabulous after my appointment I wandered over to explore Saks and became obsessed with the patches and bling on display in the windows on 5th.

Wandering around in SAKs that day I discovered all sorts of patches and pins for sale along with loads and loads of customized, bedazzled, patched, sequined, striped, dotted, patterned, layered and embroidered merch. I was hooked.

I bought a brooch and a few sequined patches at Saks and headed West to the Garment District feeling inspired and ready to get creative.

Here’s what I bought at Saks that day. Pictured, The brooch pin on the right and the patch on the left

The garment district did not disappoint. I was lucky to find lots of great trims. Of course, I spent loads of money and had plans to DIY my own creations.

to be continued….

photo of the iconic Iris Apfel wearing her signature, less is bore layering — Iris Apfel wearing her signature, less is bore layering

Iris Apfel wearing her signature, less is bore layering

Then over the next few weeks and months I dug out vintage patches from soccer tournaments I competed in when I was a kid. And then I dug up some girl scouts badges and had my mom scour the thrift store for old girl scout badges and sashes. She scored!

I also went back to the trim stores in the garment district and bought some new patches and lots of sequins. And I started to work on my vision.