FXBG Neighbors Podcast
Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast
FXBG Neighbors Podcast
EP #184 Fashion Skills That Change Lives
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A lot of people hear “fashion school” and picture a big-city campus, high barriers to entry, and a path that only works if you can commit to a four-year degree. We wanted to spotlight a different kind of fashion design education happening right here in Stafford, Virginia, and the story behind it is as powerful as the garments the students create.
We’re joined by Marie King of LoK Fashion Academy and LoK Fashion Institute, where youth and adults learn sewing, sketching, pattern making, draping, fabric knowledge, and tailoring in small classes built for real individual attention. Marie explains the difference between the Academy and the Institute, including how the Institute offers a one-year, state-certified fashion design certificate for students with a GED or high school diploma. If you’re in the Fredericksburg area or anywhere in the DMV and you’ve been searching for sewing classes or a fashion school that’s practical, supportive, and career-minded, this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible.
Marie also shares her personal journey from a Caribbean childhood to New York City and FIT, then into custom design work for military communities before planting roots in Stafford. We talk about the grit it took to earn certification, the misconception that LoK is “just sewing,” and why confidence, mentoring, and life skills belong in the same room as zippers and seams. You’ll also hear about the long-running student fashion show, plus Marie’s straight-shooting business advice: be ready for 24-7 work, don’t expect money right away, and remember that not all money is good money.
If you enjoy stories about local business, creative careers, and community builders, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves fashion, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.
Marie King
LoK Fashion Academy and Institute
+1 540-720-0851
60 Susa Drive, # 107, Stafford, VA
Welcome To FXBG Neighbors
SpeakerThis is the Fredericksburg Neighbors Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Dori Stewart.
Speaker 1Welcome back to another episode of the FXBG Neighbors Podcast, where we share the stories of our favorite local brands. I'm excited to introduce you to my guest today. We've got Marie King joining us. She is with LoK Fashion Academy and Institute. Marie, welcome to the podcast. Good morning.
Speaker 2Good morning.
Speaker 1I am so excited for this. I'm excited to learn more about you and more about your business.
What LoK Fashion Academy Teaches
Speaker 1So let's start with the Academy. Tell us what is LoK Fashion Academy?
Speaker 2LoK Fashion Academy is a fashion school where we teach young ladies, the youth, male and female, how to sew, sketch, pattern making, and design a garment of their choice.
Speaker 1Amazing, amazing. And you also have the LoK Fashion Institute. So share with me about that and kind of what's the difference between the two.
Speaker 2The LoK Fashion Institute is an offspring of the LoK Fashion Academy. Several of my adult students asked me, can they do more? They wanted more than just the sewing. So I developed the institute where they can get a mini FIT. FIT is a fashion college in New York. So we teach them sketching, pattern making, draping, they learn about different fabrics, and they do a lot of sewing, especially tailoring. And the people for the adults from this program have to be have a GED or a high school diploma. And they come into the program for a year, one year, and we're certified by the state so we are trade school. At the end of the year, they can get a fashion design certificate, which they can go into business or go on to for a higher education.
Speaker 1Amazing. Amazing. So I absolutely love what you're doing and the opportunities that you're providing.
Marie King’s Fashion Story
Speaker 1So I want to learn more about you. Tell me about your background. I want to learn how, you know, what led you to starting these businesses.
Speaker 2Ah, my mom was a fashion designer who migrated from a small island in the Caribbean and moved to New York City, left us four children behind for a better life in this country. I came to this country in 1964, where I finished high school and went on to college. I also went to FIT and graduated. Since then, I have relocated to North Carolina. There was nothing for me to do in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune, a military wife. So I ended up doing um teaching at the college and then developing a fashion design, fashion design business, where I custom designed and made custom clothing for the military wives, the Marinko Ball. I did palm dresses, wedding gowns, etc. So from there in 1989, I moved up to this area of Stafford, Virginia, and also continued developing the business. I was home-based initially, and then I moved into a commercial location in 2004. And this is where I am right now, still designing custom clothing and also teaching the school, the academy, and now the fashion institute.
Speaker 1Amazing, amazing. So I have uh had had the uh honor of getting to see you grow over the last um several years, and it's amazing what you have created. And I know that it takes a lot of hard work, and I know you've put your heart and soul into this, and the opportunities that you have created, especially with the institute and going through that process to get the certification. So
Building A State-Certified Institute
Speaker 1walk me through that because that takes a special kind of grit and passion to accomplish something like that.
Speaker 2Yes, it was a process, it was a journey. I think I spent about two years um being denied, find out why I'm being denied. I had several people helping me with the process. Um a retired government employee and a retired um um Navy commander helped me through the process of um getting the getting the curriculum together, getting so many pieces put together, going through the process of the interview, getting the studio set up, because we had to have a library, we had to have a technical technical area, and just the whole curriculum, which is new that we created ourselves. And that's pretty much how it was. So we've had certification since 2015. So the institute has been around that long.
Speaker 1Amazing. And you've got you've got students that come from from uh drive pretty far to get to you.
Speaker 2Yes, we have students that come from Richmond, students that come from Maryland, out in um Thornburg, um Manassas, Gainesville, I would um this whole surrounding area.
Speaker 1Amazing.
Speaker 2I would say the whole DMV, which we're trying to expand more into the DMV.
Speaker 1Amazing.
Speaker 2And as far as I as far as my market research, we're the only um fashion school around like this to give a certification. The other colleges give uh four year degrees, but we just do the certification one year because not everybody wants to go on to a four-year university.
Speaker 1Right.
Speaker 2And also some of um the high school kids are using this program as a gap year to go on to the fashion colleges.
Speaker 1That's really smart.
Speaker 2Yes.
Speaker 1I love that. I love that.
More Than Sewing: Mentoring And Confidence
Speaker 1And so what do you find? Are there any myths or misconceptions that people have about your business?
Speaker 2Well, a lot of people come in, or I've heard from other students, that's just a sewing business. No, it's not, it's a lot a lot more than sewing. Um, in the teaching aspect of things, the students come in and they get more than sewing and fashion design and sketching. They get a lot of life skills, a lot of mentoring. Because the atmosphere is not a business, business atmosphere, it's a studio atmosphere and it's a home atmosphere. So everybody comes in and feels very comfortable. And the creativity, it's your creativity. I teach a technical, the creative creativity is yours. It's not for me to like or don't like, because not everybody's gonna like your designs. It's for you to get comfortable in your own skin and do what you enjoy and what makes you tick.
Speaker 1I imagine you're spending a lot of time with these students and you're creating a special bond. And I just I just imagine you just fly out of bed in the morning because you just get so much satisfaction out of seeing these students grow both personally and you know, in their skills that you're teaching.
Speaker 2Yes. It is my joy, it's my passion. Um, what else would I do? This is what I love. And I love being around the young people. I can um motivate them, I can encourage them. As I mentioned before, a lot of life skills.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2And you know how to present yourself when you go out. Um today, a lot of them are not wearing the proper clothing, in my opinion. It's too short. Um, too much of too much is showing. You could, you know, you can do just covering up the body sometimes. It's there's the time and place for everything.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah. I um really enjoyed attending your recent fashion show and watching the pride in the students was really cool to see them showing off their designs.
The Student Fashion Show Tradition
Speaker 1So talk to me about the fashion show and uh how long have you been doing it and walk me through that.
Speaker 2We have just had our 13th year of doing our fashion show. We started off, what, in 2011, 2010, and we have matured so much, and the students have matured so much. The young the the youth that comes to us are the people who are interested in fashion design, and there's no avenue other than this this location for them. They they come with such passion, such desire, and their parents see this and they can't they don't sew or do anything like that. So they go on the internet and they search me out. We don't have a lot of students in any one class. We have classes no more than 10. And the tens we always have two teachers in the classroom. This is where they get individual attention because not everybody works at the same pace, not everybody's modal skills is the same. So the curriculum I have is a lot of individual attention because no two people is gonna learn how to make a zipper the same way or the same time. So I spend the extra time with those individuals, and to do that, you have to have a small classroom. 20 is way too much.
Speaker 1Yeah, yeah. And then at the fashion show, they all get to meet each other and interact with each other, all the different classes. So fun. Yes.
Speaker 2Uh-huh. And I am um a lot of my students who graduated and gone on to fashion colleges, they also do come back to visit. This year, I think I had about four of them in the audience, which I introduced. Yeah, and that was very pleasurable for me. One young lady came from New York just to come to a fashion show. Another one came from Baltimore. She just uh did uh graduate her masters, and she came to the fashion show. I thought that was so special. That warms my heart.
Speaker 1Yeah, and you could tell their love for you and the applause that you got when you came out. And I mean, I think that there were tears all over the room when your valedictorian was uh speaking and sharing her experience with you. Yes. So much love in that room.
Speaker 2With the small classes that we have, you get a lot more personal with the students. And um, our fashion world, which we call the rag business in New York, it's a very competitive feel, extremely competitive. So, what I do here, I encourage them to have the self-confidence. So when they go on farther, they can walk in and say, Hey, this is what I do, this is what I want. And generally they get it.
Speaker 1I love that. I love that.
Pivoting Through A Tough Economy
Speaker 1So, what is a challenge that you have faced that you've overcome and now you feel like you're stronger either personally or in business because of it?
Speaker 2Um, in business, I moved into this location on Susa Drive in Stafford, um, 2004. Four years later, when your business is just getting growing, the economy tanked. That was extremely stressful. So, you know how you have a business plan? I have to look back at my business plan and see where I can pivot. As an artist, as a designer, you're always pivoting. So that was an easy pivot for me. I I just want to develop the fashion academy. And I took I still can uh continue designing for individuals and weddings and prams. So I still do that. But when I pivoted to the uh teaching and opening the school, we start off with eight students. And we were on folding chairs and folding tables. And we have graduated to have our own special tables and separate machines, and we now are up to 40 students. So even though you get a challenge in your business, you have to think and be creative how you can pivot to continue. And I continue the same field, the fashion field, but now I'm teaching and also designing. But my main goal is to stop designing and just teach it because I get so much satisfaction out of that. I get young ladies that come come in here that's very shy, and they end up doing, I make them do some public speaking. When you come in, you have to introduce yourself to each other, and a new person comes in, tell them who you are, what grid you're in, etc. And they have to say it out loud and then mumble. So some diction is there.
Speaker 1Yeah.
Speaker 2So they get some of everything here. And with the small classes, that makes it unique.
Speaker 1Yeah. That's a really great lesson for all business owners listening, that the businesses that have longevity are the ones who can pivot and can, you know, kind of think creatively and when times get tough, um, move their business in a different direction if they need to.
Advice For Starting A Business
unknownYes.
Speaker 1So if there are people listening who are inspired by what you have done and are thinking about starting a business, what advice would you give them?
Speaker 2Oof, starting a business, especially in a commercial location, is 24-7. You have to be prepared, put the time in, put the work in, and keep one thing in mind. You're not gonna make money right away. If you break even, you're very lucky. And as your business gets going, keep in mind also, all money is not good money. So be very selective of what you take and what you do. Do not take in any work that's gonna overpower you or keep you doing that one project forever, because then you're stopping yourself from doing other things and growing.
Speaker 1Not all money is good money. That is good.
Speaker 2Do not chase the dollar. Yes.
Speaker 1Great advice. I love it. So, what is something that you wish the listeners knew about, okay?
Speaker 2Hmm,
How To Connect With Marie
Speaker 2how passionate I am, how dedicated I am. I give my all, I give 120%. Normally give 100%, but I do the extra. Um, my phone, you can call me at any time. I've had students that go off to college that have called me at 11 o'clock at night. Miss King, I have a project, I'm stuck. And I'm like, really? Is you you realize your time is at 11? And they say, yes, please, please. So I take the time out and you know, help them. Or I said give you a call back in two minutes and I do that. So I'm all I'm always there when someone requires my time.
Speaker 1Amazing. Amazing. Well, Marie, if the listeners want to learn more about LoK, if they want to connect with you, where can they find you?
Speaker 2They can find me at 60 Susa Drive, Stafford, Virginia. I am right behind the main post office on Highway One, and my studio is open all the time. I take I do everything by appointment so I can give you the undivided attention.
Speaker 1Amazing.
Speaker 2And when you come into the studio, it's very um welcoming, it's very calm. I love that atmosphere. And in fashion, we always need that type atmosphere. And as an artist, you have to be calm and peaceful. If you're not, you cannot create.
Speaker 1I love it. I love it. Well, Marie, thank you so much for joining me on the podcast today and sharing LoK with us. What you have created is very special and love having you in our community.
Speaker 2Thank you so much, FXBG. Thank you so much, um, Dori. Greatly appreciate it.
Speaker 1Thank you.
SpeakerThank
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