// WAKE UP

//

I was up at 6:00 am Saturday morning to catch the famous sunrise down at the East River. A bucket list thing I never got around to do. Good thing I checked the weather. Nothing but fog. New York was so quiet. With the disappearing Manhattan bridge and Brooklyn completely covered it almost felt like a dream. It's funny, I knew for a fact when the fog would lift I would be able to see Brooklyn. I didn't need to see it that morning to believe it was there, I just knew. The true meaning of faith. If only I had such faith in my own foggy future. Dreams would instantly become less scary to reach simply because I'd be certain I would attain them. Who knew - a trip to the East River to see the sunrise ended with an Uber home with a life lesson. K, bedtime. x -C

// NEW YORK

// 

I'm sitting in an oversized T drinking coffee and watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians as I wait for my hair to dry. I forgot my hair dryer. It's a beautiful day in New York today, the kind of weather that makes you fall in love with this city all over again. There are a lot of fun things happening this week, fun things I can start telling you about in a month or so! Ok, one more sip of coffee then it's time for makeup. Happy weekend! x -C

// STUDIO WEEKENDS

//

A new CKD design freshly printed on the dark wood flip tables. A hand painted bee for a custom rug I'm working on with Kate. A collaboration with Microsoft's newest Surface Book in the works. So much work to get done. So many things are coming. So many hours to go. 

// LATELY

//

Contact sheets from Ilich. The process of shooting with film is so romantic. The sequence of photos form a story you wouldn't get shooting digital. Such a talented man he is. 

Anyone else feel like it's been a weird week? Monday felt like Friday, and Tuesday felt never ending. By the time it got to Wednesday I was ready to shut my computer and pour myself a cocktail. I didn't because it was 10 am. I traded the alcohol for refilled coffee. I've been listening to loads of podcasts this week, on life, the meaning the life, the meaning of true success, you know all those philosophical questions you get asked late night at a bar that you're in no mood to answer. Lately I've been very fortunate to be apart of some incredible opportunities that will allow for my creativity and company to grow in ways that the textile industry hasn't explored yet. I don't know what CKD will turn into in 10 years, but I do know I constantly want to push boundaries with textile design. Paving new roads for the younger generations. Maybe making their roads less scary than mine. Or just paving new roads for the younger generations to keep pushing boundaries far beyond what I could do. I think that's the meaning of true success, or a successful life - fulfilling your divine purpose while understanding that it's not about you, but rather something bigger than yourself, or myself. While all at the same time falling in love and having children. With all of my friends around me married, in love, babies, or babies on the way, I've come to the conclusion that it might take me slightly longer to find my person, but that's OK. I have faith that it's possible to have it all. Prince charming and my villa in Tuscany. Prince charming and I in our villa in Tuscany. That sounds better. Alright, back to work. x -C

// MADE IT TO AUSTRALIA

// 

1:00 a.m. Saturday night: I walked in the door from dinner with Claudia and received a text from Nemo Li in Sydney; "Look familiar". The hoarding is up for The Daily Eatery, a cafe graphic designer [and good friend] Michelle and I have been working on for the past month now. I climbed into bed wearing sweat pants, a heavy sweater, my hair was straight and tucked behind my ears, I was full from Mexican food and margaritas, and couldn't stop smiling. CKD has made her way to Australia? A moment I sat in for a while making sure I took it all in. Those are the moments I live for. Pure magic. 

// SAMPLE TESTERS

// From the studio 

Jan was busy. Busy forces me into a schedule of early nights, early mornings, and long studio days spent alone with movies. Movies that I like to put on repeat. I officially know the Eat Pray Love script by heart. CKD has a couple cool collaborations in the works that I'm excited to see come to life in the next two months! Attached are the newest custom pieces. The top for Sydney, Australia! I'm working with The Daily Eatery out there. Australia seems like the chillest place to live. Can't wait to get there. Below we did something different than the traditional painted leaves and flowers. We took photographs and put a print together. Maybe i'll consider this technique for Collection N Twenty Five? Happy Friday guys, x -C

// 35MM

// WEEKEND VIBES 

I woke up this morning smiling. Even when my alarm went off at 7 am ending my wonderful dream. I was standing in front of my dream property on Leslie Street holding a bright red "sold" sign. I love Monday mornings. Most of the time. It's a new week, fresh start, anything is possible, and I have a new horoscope to read. Today mine wasn't the bestest. I decide on a weekly basis whether or not I believe in them. Today I don't. Anyway, this weekend I shot with photographer Ilich Mejia and makeup artist Franceline Kingu. We shot only with film which means I have no idea what these photos will look like until they are developed. When shooting with film Ilich had to be careful with every shot. There were about 25-30 shots per roll. Every photo counted. There's something really special about working with film. I loved watching the process. I also loved watching Ilich's face light up when he changed cameras explaining all the different moving parts. It reminded me of the first time I walked into a weaving room. There's just something to be said about working with your hands. Feeling fabric with the sound of sewing machines around me magically creating beautiful ckd embroidery is a moment I look forward to. I'll have the photos up here when they are done! There's a random photo of Miss, Alex, and Landon's arm in here while drinking coffee at Baddies, because we did that. And I love them. K, happy Monday guys. x -C

// COLLECTION N 23

// From the studio 

I had a completely different vision for Collection N 23 when I started pulling photos for inspiration. Then I went to the Caribbean over the holidays, and fell in love with St. Lucia's tropical rainforest. Something about the way the vines with the funny looking leaves curled around the trees. I was surrounded by flowers I've never seen before. In particular the Torch Ginger, the flower I devoted this collection to. So I put pre holiday collection n 23 in the trash and started all over again. From the minute I started sketching everything flowed quickly and easily - as if I was in some sort of trance and my brain had already made up it's mind on what this collection was going to look like. The colors I originally painted the leaves, the flower, and the Peacock stayed the exact same throughout the collection making process. Which never happens. Maybe it was all meant to be this way. I'm happy with this collection. Hope you guys enjoy it. x -C [Click here to see the newest Collection N 23]