Photo: Jason Masters

FMMF is very excited to feature designer Linda Rowe Thomas at the festival this year. She has an inspiring story and a great charitable arm of her business. We can’t wait to see her present her designs on the runway in September!

FMMF: How would you describe your style of design?

LRT: Timeless classics with contemporary style.

FMMF: How has music inspired your designs or design process?

LRT: When I design I listen to music. As a designer, music completes my work and breathes life into the vision on the runway.

FMMF: Other than music, where do you get your inspiration from?

LRT: I am often inspired by art; textures, colors and the vintage era.

FMMF: What’s one thing about you that people might not know?

LRT: I’m a published author. I wrote the fictional novel “Mocha” in my late twenties.

FMMF: What are you looking forward to the most about Fashion Meets Music Festival?

LRT: The bands! I love music and I’m excited about being a part of the Fashion and Music platform.

FMMF: If you could design a custom piece for any musician, who would you create it for and what would it be?

LRT: Diana Ross, a stunning gown! I’ve admired Diana’s iconic fashion style since I first saw the movie “Mahogany.”

Five Things You Didn’t Know About The Nearly Deads

1) They’re from Nashville!

TJ (vocals) and Steven (guitar) started the band after they moved to Nashville in search of better music opportunities.

2) For this band, Craigslist is the place to find members 😉

“After TJ and Steven formed the band, it was a mash up of previous band members and friends. Through the development of the band, members came and went. Finally we met the right guys for the group and became the band we are now. Javier (guitarist) was a friend of our previous drummer. Kevin (bass) and Josh (drums) we met through craigslist.”

3) A Florida saying inspired their band name.

 “After weeks of torment and agony, throwing out idea after idea, we found one that stuck. TJ and I had both grown up in Tampa, FL and we wanted to pay homage to our roots there. Florida has a saying that it is the state for “Newly Weds and Nearly Deads”. You either honeymoon or retire there. We thought the name sounded edgy and catchy, so it became us. Eventually the name helped to influence our zombie video, which has brought us a lot of success.”

4) Fashion has become a part of their band’s identity.

“I think fashion is an underlying influence in everything. No matter how old you are or what you’re doing, thought is put into what your wear because it says a lot about who you are. Being kids of the 90’s, we have always been fans of jeans and band shirts (maybe a flannel worn open or tied at the waste). Early on, that is what we wanted; a simple look for a simple rock band. We wanted it to say, ‘Hey, it’s all about the music man.’ But the more we grow; we realize that it is important to stand out as artists. Fashion is big part of band identity, especially with the live show. A band’s fashion helps separate them from the audience and helps unify them as a group. It says, ‘Pay attention to us!’”

5) Like the team here at FMMF, The Nearly Deads are excited for a fun and unique experience at #FMMF15!

“We are so excited and grateful to be a part of the Fashion Meets Music Festival. We love the passion and camaraderie that festivals bring. So many artists and fans all together to celebrate creativity and the things they love. It is inspiring to share a stage with so many talented people. This will be a fun and unique experience for us. I can honestly say we have never played a festival like it.”

Photo: Charlie Cooper of Cioh Photography

FMMF: How would you describe your style of design?
Kendra Thomas: The design esthetic of Elise by Elise is centered around the desire to feel free. The Elise by Elise woman has a chic bohemian vibe no matter if she is at the office or at the beach. Color and feel good fabrics fuel her! Boho chic. Day and night pieces.

FMMF: How has music inspired your designs or design process?
KT: Music totally inspires the spirit of creativity. When I listen to music…any music…notes can turn into color and moods. No matter what process of designing that I am in, the sound of music can set the tone for how I’m feeling.

FMMF: Other than music, where do you get your inspiration from?
KT: Other than music I get inspiration from my two fearless and super creative kids. They seem to point out things in scenery that no one else notices.

FMMF: What’s one thing about you that people might not know?
KT: I consider myself to be a very private person, so there is a lot that people don’t know about me. By looking at me people would never know how obsessed I am with food!

FMMF: What are you looking forward to the most about Fashion Meets Music Festival?
KT: I’m looking forward to showing this SS16 collection that I have been curating for the past year! I also look forward to seeing how the fashion community here in Columbus respond.

FMMF: If you could design a custom piece for any musician, who would you create it for and what would it be?
I would love to design a jacket for Gwen Stephanie. Sort of like a moto jacket. It wouldn’t be leather or suede though. Maybe a linen. It would be so dope!
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Five Things You Didn’t Know About Kid Runner

1. They are from Columbus!

Both Kid Runner and FMMF call Columbus their home.

2. They wrote the new Columbus Crew SC anthem “Lights (Drop It Twice).”

FMMF: How did you get involved with Columbus Crew SC anthem project and what was it like becoming involved with a Columbus sports team?

Kid Runner: “It was awesome! Someone from the marketing department attended our EP release show last year and they had already been discussing the idea of a club anthem. They reached out to us and we had a meeting with the coach and some core fans where we brought a few ideas to the table. The Crew SC has a very loyal fan base and their new brand is really strong, so as you can imagine, it was a bit nerve-wrecking… but everyone loved it! It was in that very meeting that Coach Gregg dubbed it, “Drop It Twice.” We’ve been to a few games this year and it is truly amazing to hear our song pumping out of the stadium speakers!”

3. They met in college!

“Kurt, Scott and I (Fran) met at Capital University. After graduating, we all knew we wanted to start a band. We met Drew at a Wombats show and he knew Bobby! It all worked out really nicely. We started jamming and, in the fall of 2012, we had our very first show!”

4. A band name change led to new energy at their shows.

“Not a lot of people know this, but we were called, “Runners” for the first few months of our existence! We started going by Kid Runner after going to a wedding. My little brother was too embarrassed to dance so we told him to just pretend like he was running on the dance floor. So in a broad sense, Kid Runner represents the idea of loosening up and letting go. Sometimes you have to act like a kid. Be carefree. And that’s the type of energy we like to bring to our shows!”

5. They are so excited about FMMF that you may just see them in the crowd!

“We are looking forward to the amazing lineup! St. Vincent, Young The Giant, Ludacris, Andrew McMahon… this year is going to be incredible. As artists, we are still fans of music. Performing is always a blast, but getting out and watching all of the other amazing acts is something we always try to do at these festivals. Come say hi if you see us walking around!”

*** Bonus fun fact 😉 ***

FMMF: What’s one thing people might not know about Kid Runner or any of your members?

Kid Runner: “Every Wednesday, we take a salsa dancing class together to improve our moves and for team bonding purposes.

That is lie. But I think it’s a great idea.”