Meet The Woman Behind StarCentral Magazine’s Latest Cover: The Beautiful Kaila Methven

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Photo Credit: Tony Duran

Celebrity designer Kaila Methven is the brains behind possibly the world’s most expensive lingerie label, and she’s not only successful she’s also drop-dead gorgeous.

Kaila’s family once upon a time owned The Rainbow Unlimited Chicken Company (RLC), which used to supply 90 percent of KFC’s poultry. After inheriting her family’s sale of RLC shares back in 1991, Kaila decided to step away from the fried chicken business and focus instead on a much sexier line of work: a luxury lingerie company.

At just 16 years old, Kaila interned at her first Paris Fashion Show and went on to earn a Master’s Degree from the International Fashion Academy – Paris. She completed advanced training at Polimoda in Florence.

Kaila has so far been featured in Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and Maxim and she has dressed some of today’s sexiest stars including the likes of Demi Lovato, Katherine McPhee, The Kardashians, Housewives of Beverly Hills, Abigail Ratchford and more. Kaila has awakened the Dominatrix in every woman through her timeless and sensual lingerie line. She is a true artist in how she creates, designs and thinks. She currently runs two high-end lingerie brands: Madame Methven and Lactrodectus (LDKM)(madamemethven.com).

StarCentral Magazine recently sat down with Kaila to find out more about her journey to entrepreneurship and here’s what went down:

1. How were you actually ‘discovered’?

The first person who discovered me was Jean Charles de Castelbajac. I was a student at IFA, and he was visiting the school at the time. I was designing a jacket that day, he saw it and fell in love with it. After that, he gave me an internship at his company.

2. What do you like most about being a designer?

My most prestigious reward is to see women fall in love again wearing my lingerie. It is an honour for me when I see them feeling empowered, beautiful, sexy, and confident.

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3 What’s it like dressing some of the most famous people in the world?

It is extremely rewarding that famous people recognize my talent and want to wear my designs. However, I try to stay humble, and a client is a client. I don’t treat my clients differently because their name is well known. Each of my clients gets the best service I can provide, no matter who they are.

4. What first interested you in style/fashion?

I was born in LA, grew up in Paris, and graduated with my bachelor at Esmod, masters at IFA, MBA at Polimoda. I interned as a makeup artist at Paris fashion week for Dior, and when I saw all those models walking down the runway, I knew my destiny was to become a designer.

6. You were just 14 when your mother died and you were forced to move to Paris to live with your estranged father – what was going through your mind at the time?

It was that or foster care so what did it matter? I was scared, I missed my mom, and my father was a stranger to me but I looked forward to getting to know him and learning a new language. I had no choice as my stepfather chose not to adopt me.

7. How did you adjust from living in the lap of luxury in a mansion in Beverly Hills to a tiny one-bedroom apartment?

I didn’t have a choice. I cried every night and just wished it would be over as soon as possible. I felt like a stranger, I didn’t even speak their language. I felt alone, abandoned, and uncared for.

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8. You graduated at the top of your class, what was your motivation at the time?

I’ve always been an honour roll student, my mom was very disciplined with me and I was very competitive as my mom wanted me to always be a winner. So I always strived to do the best in everything I did.

9. How is your business coping with the COVID-19 crisis? What steps are you making to make sure your business survives this global pandemic?

My fashion business is still operating at top speed and my PLUR association is designed to donate a percentage of all proceeds to charities which will now include the COVID-19 pandemic. I am actually also now investing in a new business venture called Kaila Methven Remedies. I believe in natural remedies and I’m excited to help the world recover and survive this pandemic with my new line of healthcare products coming this summer 2020. I have an all-natural herb that cleans the lungs, helps with stress and anxiety and can really help assist those infected with COVID-19 as there is no current cure for this virus. This herb can be used for multiple reasons including body aches and viruses.

10. How do you keep up with your image? How do you maintain a healthy fresh image?

I upkeep by going to Dr. Stepanyan and getting monthly facials. His skincare line was the best thing that has ever happened to my face. He has 20 years of experience and over 16 years of training and experience under his belt. As a result of my monthly facials, my skin is always glowing and it shines on the red carpet and during photo shoots. This is my beauty secret, he’s definitely one of the best doctors in Hollywood.

11. You mentioned before that your trustee sold your assets for more than a billion dollars, can you tell us more about that?

My confidant recently found some paperwork that states my late grandfather Stanley Methven who started RCL foods had an annual turnover of 24 billion. The article can actually be found in the Sunday Tribune.

12. Do you have a specific inspiration that keeps you going in your career?

There is one woman who always pushed me to accomplish my dreams, whose name I’ll keep confidential. As of today, we are still in contact, she is very proud of me.

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13. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned?  

Always believe in yourself, never give up on your dreams, and continue to work hard because hard work always pays off.

What advice would you give to other fashion designers who are starting out?

Be passionate about your goals and dreams, do your market research, and hire a driven team that adds value to your master plan.

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