Fashion Designer Kevan Hall Talks Detroit, Fashion and More

etroit-native celebrity fashion designer Kevan Hall is one of the most elite elegant style creators in his industry today.

After founding Kevan Hall Couture in 1983, Hall was asked to help reimagine the Halston women's clothing brand in 1998-and then in 2002, he launched his signature clothing line, the Kevan Hall Collection.

As a well-established brand famous for being fashionable, Hall has dressed leading ladies such as Angela Bassett, Drew Barrymore, Salma Hayek and even FLOTUS. But being a stylist to the stars doesn't happen overnight.

We caught up with Hall, who headlined the Detroit Garment Group's annual FashionSpeak conference in October, to talk inspiration, influence and inner beauty.

When you visit Detroit, where or what do you absolutely have to see?

Family. My sister still lives here. And I always make my way down to Greektown just to have a nice meal and to walk around-because when I was in high school, after school, me and my buds would hang out there.

In an interview for the Oklahoman, you mentioned the style of Motown starlets like Diana Ross and Martha Reeves, as well as church, inspired you at a young age. Is that the case now?

I think today it still has an effect on me. I'm a kid of the '60s and '70s. It was a very dressed-up kind of aesthetic. The Motown stars were always polished and dressed up just like we were when we attended church. In terms of silhouette, fluidity, softness, it was a relaxed kind of dressing that still resonates in my collections today.

What was it like styling Michelle Obama?

I dressed first lady Michelle Obama for a speaking engagement a few years ago. We did a beautiful polka dot shirtdress; it's one of my signature silhouettes. It was exciting!

Who are you most thankful for being able to work with and why?

Most notably it would be designer Harriet Selwyn in the late '70s/early '80s at one of the first jobs I got right out of high school. She owned a line called Fragments and gave me an opportunity to explore my creativity, and she really mentored me on how to be a designer and how to put together a collection. We still remained friends until she passed away a couple of years ago.

Where do you envision Detroit in 10 years?

I see it as a thriving city, really being an emerging city with people moving back from outside of the city and other states, including beyond the downtown/Midtown area. I'm hoping for more and different types of manufacturing. In about 10 years, I believe those who invest now will be very happy that they did.

How do you think Detroit's fashion industry can improve?

I'm not 100 percent familiar with what's going on completely, but I think one thing that is important for a fashion industry is having people of like mind, who have a goal and a vision, to have camaraderie and to build a community, even outside of the city, and to network in order to bring in resources and jobs.

You've said the most gratifying part of designing is seeing clothing come to life on a 'beautiful woman.' Besides attire, what makes a person beautiful?

A grateful heart! Having a kind heart, a positive attitude and really knowing how to treat others with respect and dignity.