Check Out Kristina Keurjikian’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Keurjikian

Hi Kristina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been sketching dresses ever since I could remember. I was 12 years old when I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. In high school I won Best Collection at the school’s annual fashion show. Shortly after I applied to Otis College of Art and Design where I had the pleasure of working with Bob Mackie on my mentor project. I had my design project from Otis displayed at the Beverly Hills Neiman Marcus that year. After graduation the first opportunity I had was to assist Steven Summers in the design process of Dolly Parton’s costume for her Pure and Simple tour. After that I was working full time in the fashion industry. By 2023, it had been 8 years designing for different companies.

I was finally ready to start my dream brand of luxury evening wear for women. Before I started I had been making dresses on my own time for my sisters. I would come home from my full time design job and spend hours draping on my dress form. I would go to my favorite fabric store, ISW, and buy the finest fabric for these custom gowns. It was so much fun!

I launched my first ever collection under my own name in September 2023. The collection was inspired by birthstones. Each dress I design goes through at least 3 to 4 fittings if not more. I like to perfect the fit before I put it into production. Sometimes something that seems like a genius idea ends up not working out and something you underestimate ends up being the best seller.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to getting to where I am today was not an easy one. It took a lot of hard work and restless nights but when you have a dream so big nothing can stop you from pursuing it. By far the greatest challenge I faced was finding a good seamstress and grader. I tested multiple sewers until I found the perfect fit. Grading is also extremely important. It’s the process of creating different sizes of your patterns. If the grading is not precise it’ll throw off the whole fit. If you don’t catch the mistake, you can end up wasting a lot of time and fabric.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My brand, Kristina Keurjikian, is a luxury evening-wear brand for women. I used my own name for my line because I want my brand to represent me. I design all the dresses, drape each look from scratch, pattern draft and photograph the final looks for my website myself. Grading the patterns and sewing for production is where I go to a third party. All the production is done in Los Angeles which is something I’m proud of. I also have a selection of designs catering to all body types with certain styles ranging from XS to 3XL. The main thing I’m proud of is that I never gave up on my dream of becoming a fashion designer despite all the obstacles I faced.

One thing that sets the Kristina Keurjikian brand apart is the message behind the clothes which is to embrace your God given beauty. Society paints an unrealistic standard of beauty for women which is unattainable, but the truth is all women are beautiful and unique in their own way. I want women to love themselves as they are and know they’re perfectly made. My goal is to make women feel beautiful, confident, and strong in my dresses.

What makes you happy?
God, family and my career. These are my greatest blessings. The fact that I am free to do what I love is all through the grace of God. He blessed me with parents who allowed me to pursue a career that I love. They believed in me from day one and I will forever be grateful for that. I enjoy every detail of what I create, from sketching, to sourcing fabric, to draping, having fittings and seeing the overall look come together. It’s what makes me feel alive. It’s my purpose. There is no greater pleasure for me than designing dresses and seeing women love it and feel loved in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kristinakeurjikian.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristina.keurjikian/