Designer Karelle Levy Downs Salata Mechouia and Chicken Schnitzel

Courtesy of KRELwearKarelle Levy is the woman behind the KRELwear Knits, a line of eclectic clothing based on what Levy calls "toobular" design. She sells both made to order and custom designs, which are sometimes created right on the spot at her Krel-2-Go events. According to the KRELwear website, toobular...

By Trina Sargalski

October 5, 2010

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Karelle Levy is the woman behind the KRELwear Knits, a line of eclectic clothing based on what Levy calls "toobular" design. She sells both made to order and custom designs, which are sometimes created right on the spot at her Krel-2-Go events. According to the KRELwear website, toobular design is organic--it embraces flaws and uses very few or no seams.

Levy considers herself a cross between an artist and a fashion designer: "I create collections by creating fabric, and then that fabric turns into clothing. Every season has a story behind it. The summer collection was inspired by burlesque, so we did a burlesque performance at the fashion show."

Her latest collection was inspired by a visit to Iceland, where she tried whale for the first time: "It has the consistency of steak, but the taste of fish, so it's a little weird."

You can shop for KRELwear at Levy's boutique in Wynwood or online. Levy is also creating a web installation at the home of a private collector for the MOCA Mystery Dates art and dining fundraiser on Saturday, October 16.

Interview after the jump.

New Times: What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Karelle Levy: I had Greek yogurt, raspberries, peaches, and honey.

What are some of your favorite places to eat in Miami?

My favorite place closed, unfortunately. It was Barbu.

I love Tap Tap. The fried malanga and the goat tidbits at Tap Tap are my favorite dishes there. I also love Sardinia, where I always enjoy whatever I'm served. I had a pasta dish with rabbit ragu that was amazing

I

eat at Joey's every other day. My favorite pizza there is the Thea

[gorgonzola cheese, walnuts, truffle oil, topped with arugula.]

Oh, and Jefe's Taco Truck is amazing.

What are some of your favorite things to cook?

I

love cooking things that are from my background, so I love making

chicken schnitzel with potatoes. That's from my Polish side. I also

love making something called salata mechouia, which is a roasted pepper

salad. So it's got red peppers, green peppers, tomatoes, and garlic.

It's a Tunisian dish.

What's in your fridge right now?

I

just went shopping so you're lucky that you're getting a full answer. I

have fruits, peppers, garlic, Brussels sprouts, chicken, steak, Italian

sausages, and an entire drawer full of dark chocolate. There is always

dark chocolate in my house. I also have Kalles caviar, which is an amazing

Swedish brand.

Do you have any regular food rituals you can't live without?

I can't go without my café con leche in the morning. I need my Bustelo.

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