Kara
Kara Janx Age: 29 Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa Education: Architecture Degree South Africa Biography: Kara Janx hails originally from South Africa. After completing a degree in architecture, she moved to New York City where she still resides. When she first arrived in New York she worked as an architect for four years. It was during that time when she began to feel herself drawn toward fashion, and now works exclusively as a professional fashion designer. Kara’s classic cuts and unique accents have given her a reputation in boutiques across the country and internationally. Her collections embrace the urban girl, a lifestyle with which she has become accustomed to. She describes her work as "feminine with an urban slant". Her clothes are hip, colorful and functional, embracing not only the technique with which she skillfully does her work, but also the city in which she lives. Kara translates her skills and techniques into her clothes, which have a concentration on various surface treatments. Most of the pieces are both hand-cut and hand-screened, lending to a very tactile finish. All graphics are hand drawn and pull inspiration from the clean lines and precision of architecture. Her line is represented in New York City and is currently selling nationwide and internationally. Janx’s collection has received great appreciation in the press including television and various fashion and lifestyle publications.

Tim's Take: Episode 1 Kara presented a short, sleeveless wrap-dress that reminded me of an empire-waist sarong. She took few risks with her design, but the fit was great and the overall look was sexy and youthful. My single concern was minor: why use that squiggly, craft-shop ric-rac trim? It's tired and banal. Still, I was confident that she would succeed on the runway. Auction Bid : $ 175.00

Tim's Take: Episode 2 Kara's jeans, white tailored jacket, and bronze scarf were barely recognizable after she transformed them. She created a "depression era newsboy" look with ballooning denim shorts held up by suspenders and a striped camisole. A newsboy cap finished the look perfectly. Auction Bid : $ 60.00

Tim's Take: Episode 3 Kara's look had me on the fence. On the one hand, I really loved it: the horizontal striped long-sleeve T and the denim skirt with layered hem were adorable. On the other hand, I feared that it looked too young; this Barbie is 16-18, not 10-12. Had the skirt been designed without the double-layered hem, I believe it would have been more successful. But then Kara would have run the risk of having it labeled as, "just a dumb skirt." Such are the trials of Fashion! Auction Bid : $ 65.00