Even as a young child, Diane Kappa knew that art would be an integral part of her life. Her mother would affectionately encourage her to express her creativity -- be it with a sewing machine, clay or crayon. Her mother was also an artist. Several years later, she graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in fashion design from the College of Design, Art and Planning and Architecture. Her background as a trained artist helped her develop technique and discipline, which came in handy designing for retailers including Nordstrom. Meanwhile, it was her love for fabric and patterns that led her towards surface design and this also marked the beginning of an artistic journey that took her 1000s of miles across the ocean to Budapest, Hungary. Fueled by all the sounds, smells and sights of Hungarian culture, she began building her design and licensing business.
Eventually, the artist brought her business stateside to continue expanding. She says that every day is a different creative journey, but her it always begins with a paintbrush. From the complex folk patterns of painted eggs in Budapest, to the geometric batik prints in Bali, Diane finds inspiration everywhere. Today, she runs an internationally recognized surface design company known as Diane Kappa Designs. This is where she effortlessly fuses contemporary with tradition sensibilities, her whimsical yet sophisticated designs translate to a wide-ranging portfolio spanning home furnishings, apparel, stationery and more. Diane still starts off every morning with a pencil or paintbrush in her hand, despite the growing demand for her collections.
