KARA MESSENGER BAGS

Parsons graduate Sarah Law looked to the literal definition of karaoke, meaning "empty orchestra," for the name of her minimalist accessories line. KARA, founded by the Chinese American designer in New York in 2013, takes inspiration from the way that karaoke reproduces grand performances on an intimate scale. To that end, the brand uses detailed craftsmanship to create an aesthetic of understated glamor. KARA’s pieces are stripped to essential, abstracted forms that retain their functionality and act as blank canvases for the wearer to interpret. An emphasis on geometric simplicity gives primary focus to the selection and quality of materials, making unexpected tactile experience a hallmark of the label's designs. The thick curb chains that act as a signature motif throughout KARA’s collections illustrate the brand’s underlying theme: the connection between the community at large and the individual soloist piercing through it.