Lemont Native Aims for Career in Fashion Design

When it comes to fashion and art, Lemont native Krystal Sokolis loves turning the old into something new again.

Sokolis, 21, is a recent graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she studied accessory design. Last month, she won an international fashion award for a one-of-a-kind, hand-woven leather carryall she designed and made herself.

Sokolis' winning handbag was inspired by "a whimsy twist on steampunk," an aesthetic that "originates in the romantic elegance of the Victorian era and blends in modern scientific advances," according to a press release from SCAD.

"Compasses, gears, and gadgets are my thing," Sokolis said. "A touch of class to the old world style, simple in design but complex in technique. My tag line has now become 'We have rejected your reality, and have substituted it for our own.'"

READ:

The sixth annual Independent Handbag Design Awards, the only handbag competition of its kind in the world, was held June 13 in New York City and drew some 400 attendees, including designers from dozens of countries, according to a press release. This year's contest resulted in a record 1,000 handbag entrees, which judges pared down to the final 30 in seven categories.

Sokolis was the winner in the student category.

"I am so thankful," Sokolis said. "This has completely opened the door to the next path in my life. I can't wait to step in and begin designing products with personality."

In addition to the award, Sokolis has won the opportunity to design for the private label collection, Piazza, for Handbags.com.

CLICK HERE to view Sokolis' handbag on InStyle.com.

Patch caught up with Sokolis last month to chat about her winning handbag, fashion and what inspires her creations.

PATCH: What attracted you to the Savannah College of Art and Design—a town nearly 1,000 miles away from your hometown of Lemont?

SOKOLIS: I started out at the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago after I graduated from in 2008. When I was a senior at Lemont, I won a Congressional art contest sponsored by Congresswoman Judy Biggert. My painting was displayed at the U.S. Capitol for a year, and I also won a $5,000 scholarship for classes at Savannah College of Art and Design. I had never heard of it before, but after I looked into it a little, it seemed like a great place for me to study art and fashion design.

PATCH: When did you know you wanted to create fashion accessories?

SOKOLIS: I started making bags out of old scrap fabric when I was 12. They weren't anything amazing, but I tried selling some of them. I never thought I'd be able to make a living or even go to school to learn how to create things, but I've been able to do that at SCAD.

PATCH: So it seems like you've always been a creative type.

SOKOLIS: Absolutely. I started crafting when I was little, and I couldn't stop. The only thing I knew I wanted to do was be an art teacher, or something related to art. I love decorating things. When I see something, I look it and think about how I can change it to make it look better. 

PATCH: What inspires you when you're crafting or creating accessories?

SOKOLIS: I'm more interested in reinventing things. I like taking things we already have and turning them into things we've never seen that are still functional. Some things are just overly complicated. I like gadgets and things that have multiple functions, but are still simple and unique. My grandfather was also a huge inspiration. He's the one who got me into crafting. He was like Willy Wonka. He just had a way of creating things that were so intricate and special. I always saw a real happiness in him when he made things.

PATCH: You described your handbag style as "steampunk." How would you describe steampunk to someone outside the fashion industry?

SOKOLIS: Steampunk is basically about blending old-world, Victorian style with things that are more modern. It has a gothic twist that I tend to stay away from, but I love the idea of making things look old world again in a really clever way. I'm so inspired by that idea. Plus, it allows me to work with compasses and gears, which I love.

PATCH: How did you get involved in the Independent Handbag Design Awards?

SOKOLIS: The school had told me about it the past two years, but I didn't have the skills yet. I was able to study under one of the school's newer professors, who's this Hungarian shoemaker. He taught me so many things about leather that totally changed the way I create things. I think if you look at the bag I created this year for the awards, the technique really shows. 

PATCH: Have you always been interested in working with leather?

SOKOLIS: I knew as a freshman that I wanted to something with woven products and leather. It's just a beautiful technique. When something is hand-woven, you can really see the difference. I think it makes the item more special and comforting, in a way.

PATCH: How did you select which handbag to submit to the contest?

SOKOLIS: Every product has its own personality, and this bag was just really special to me. I think it kind of chose itself.

PATCH: How did you come up with "Ophilya," the name of your brand?

SOKOLIS: I started brainstorming names when I was a freshman. I would just sit and write out names, and one day I stumbled upon Ophilya. I'm not even sure how, but I just loved writing it. I found out it means "rebirth," and it seemed perfect, especially with the cicada logo. It all just came together really well.

PATCH: Your sister, Renee, owns her own online boutique, 11 Eureka. Do you inspire each other when it comes to fashion?

SOKOLIS: We definitely grew up in a creative family. She inspired me to get into the fashion side of things, but we both have different aesthetics. I think we're at a point now that we can appreciate each other and share with eacah other.

PATCH: What's your ultimate goal when it comes to fashion or what you want to do after school?

SOKOLIS: This is going to sound totally crazy, but I always say I want to live in a commune where people come together and make crafts and clothing and all different things. Kind of like a tree village—I know this sounds completely off the wall—but somewhere that's just completely self-sufficient, where people work hard and create things together. I just think it would be lovely to live in a place where people can see all the beautiful things they've made.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Like what you see? Sign up for our daily email newsletter.

Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.