This week on Not Your Granny’s Quilt Show, I’m joined by Kenneth D. King, couture designer, author, educator, and lifelong maker whose work spans custom fashion, doll couture, and museum exhibitions.

Kenneth is the author of Doll Couture and Doll Couture: Red Carpet, two books that showcase his extraordinary talent for designing and constructing high-fashion garments for dolls. He also teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology and has created custom couture pieces worn by Elton John.

Yes, that iconic hat from the 1987 Diet Coke commercial launch? Kenneth designed it.

Kenneth’s love of dolls and fashion began in childhood. Growing up in rural Oklahoma, he quietly used fabric scraps from his mother’s sewing to create clothing for dolls he inherited from his sister. What began as a private creative outlet eventually became an internationally recognized career.

In 1980, Kenneth moved to San Francisco, where he built his design business before relocating to New York City in 2005.

In this episode, we talk about:

Kenneth’s journey from rural Oklahoma to the world of couture fashion
Designing custom pieces for Elton John
Teaching couture sewing techniques at FIT
Writing the Doll Couture books
The artistry and technical skill behind doll fashion
Creativity, identity, and following your artistic vision

We also talk about Kenneth’s glamorous “assistant,” Lola, along with Crazy Bella, two dolls who have become stars in their own right. Lola will be featured in the Dressing Dolls exhibit at the Museum at FIT from September 2026 through January 2027.

Explore Kenneth’s books, courses, and couture work:
Kenneth D. King official website

Follow Lola and Crazy Bella on Instagram:
@lolatheshowgirl24

If you love sewing, couture, doll fashion, and stories about creative lives, this episode is not to be missed.

Episodes are recorded, edited and produced by Amanda Oros.
Logo art by Myranda Mondry.

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