the artist & designer

A native Texan, Krissi Riewe Stevenson is an apparel industry professional, educator, designer, and artist. Her passion for art, clothes, and thoughtful, pleasing design began as a child, when she began drawing and sewing simply because she enjoyed making things. She naturally pursued an arts degree after high school, earning first a BFA and, ten years later, an MFA in Fashion Design from the University of North Texas.

During those ten interim years she returned to her hometown of Austin, TX and joined Petticoat Fair as a bra fitting specialist. She eventually became the Store Manager and Buyer for this nationally respected family-owned women’s boutique specializing in professional lingerie, swimwear, and post-surgical fitting. She managed and trained the staff, traveled seasonally to find the best merchandise, and continued the store’s reputation for excellent customer service. The experience gave her an understanding of the fashion industry from manufacturer, to retailer, to end consumer. After enjoying a wonderful relationship with the store, she left this position to pursue her MFA degree.

Upon graduation, Krissi joined the faculty at Kent State University Fashion School. She has since earned Tenure, and as an Associate Professor she teaches design courses and continues her research work. She brings her design, construction, and sewing skills as well as her merchandising experience to the classroom with the goal of guiding students to become thoughtful, aware, and responsible designers. Her research focuses on the design process itself, especially how the relationship between traditional methods of making clothes with digital technologies can provide opportunity for innovative discovery.

Krissi feels blessed to be able to use her creativity in her career and hobbies. She is inspired by life experiences, nature, and music, and she looks for the positive in every place and experience. She embraces life as a journey filled with seasons to learn and grow. She enjoys spending time with her amazing husband, family, and friends, and you can find her outside as much as you will in her studio.

Grateful to God for any talent she has, and her many blessings, she hopes to share her hope and joy through her work and life, wherever that may be.

Jerimiah 29:11