Former lawyer using skills to tighten up belt business

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(Courtesy photo)
Kerry Leikus’ company, Keggy, creates designer belts.

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Kerry Leikus was at a crossroads.

A few years ago, she had a decision between law school and pursuing a career as a fashion designer. Thinking it over, she finally made her choice — and became a lawyer.

Leikus, 36, eventually did turn back to fashion, and two-and-a-half years ago launched Keggy, a line of designer silk belts and, soon, coats and outerwear. The Lutherville resident said her time in the legal world wasn’t wasted but gave her skills important in opening her own business.

“I don’t think that traditional education for fashion really prepares students for what the world is like,” Leikus said. “They show students how to make a dress [but not how] to reproduce it.”

While her silk belts have caught attention for their color and flashiness, Leikus said the inspiration for them was much more practical.

“I was pregnant, and I was looking for a really cool hip belt to wear,” she said. “When you’re pregnant clothes don’t fit you very well, you’re always looking for a belt. I wanted to reinvent the fabric belt to reflect my own taste and style.”

Leikus’ taste and style have helped to set her product apart, said Jeff Prine, fashion director for jewelry and accessories magazine Lustre. Prine said many successful fashion designers began their careers in another field.

“I’ve found that in the fashion world, most people are some kind of career-changers,” he said. “Usually people like that, who come from a business background, understand cash flow but also [are] adept at negotiation, creating alliances, creating partnerships. That’s a very important thing when you’re [a] beginning designer.”

The women’s boutique Classic Serendipity in Pikesville began stocking Keggy products about a month ago, and owner Emily Klawans said she’s seen a good response to Leikus’ work.

“She has a good business mind and a good sense of style, and a good read on what women want,” Klawans said. “I think the fabric is really unique. She use this great silk, and it’s two-sided so it’s kind of two belts for one.”

Leikus does much of her work in Baltimore, but her company has a presence in New York. She said her belts have found success by appealing to a wide audience.

“Right now we’re really lucky, our belts had a cross-generational appeal,” she said. “They’ve been described as retro-funky, vintage, hip. It’s crossed over from the young girls to the more sophisticated.”

acahall@baltimoreexaminer.com

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