GALO: Your namesake makes a point to remember the stories behind all of the clothing in her store in The Truth of Time. Can customers expect the same historical descriptions when they enter your store in Miami? Can you share one or two of these stories with us?

MK: Throughout the years, I have heard literally hundreds of stories about the items and their history. Obviously, many of them go in one ear [and out the other] and are not remembered. However, if I know about a piece and a customer asks, I enthusiastically tell them about the item. For example, just last week, a woman brought in a collection and told us they belonged to her mother. [The mother] had worked on an assembly line during World War II and had been written up in the newspaper and been referred to as “Rosie the Riveter.” The next day, the daughter returned with a copy of the article and an accompanying picture. I believe many of the women workers contributing to the war effort had this nickname, but she believed her mom was the original. By the way, there were no grease marks on the clothing she brought us.

GALO: Why did you choose your own store as the setting for much of the book?

MK: It is the center of my life and, logically, the home for the book.

GALO: How long did it take you to write The Truth of Time and who is your target audience?

MK: The book took almost two years to complete. With my busy schedule, I had to fit it in and there were endless redrafts to make sure it was right. As for the target audience, I feel it is for people who are mystical, love fashion, and understand there can be a fine line between truth and fiction.

GALO: What types of book do you like to read in your spare time? Which authors do you find inspirational?

MK: I really have a diverse interest when reading. Sometimes, I just want to be totally absorbed in a good mystery, which makes me forget the daily problems one faces in life. If there is any connection to fashion in the book, I will read it. One book I have read numerous times is Chanel: A Woman of Her Own by Axel Madsen. It is just fascinating.

GALO: Did you ever expect to write a book?

MK: I never thought I would write a book like The Truth of Time. During my life, I really thought there was a chance I would write an autobiography, but never a novel. Maybe that tell-all book will be my next venture? But [that won’t be] for a few years.

GALO: What advice do you have for professionals in any field who have never written a book but are considering doing so?

MK: For someone who has never written a book, it is a lot more work than you expect and definitely takes a lot of time. My only advice is [that] don’t let anyone tell you [that] it cannot be done. It is like anything worthwhile in life — you have to go for it.

GALO: If you don’t mind, I’d like to switch gears and talk about your store, C. Madeleine’s. Why did you choose to open your store in Miami? What is the attraction to Miami versus another well-known fashion hub, such as New York City?

MK: The simple reason why C. Madeleine’s was opened in Miami was because that is where I live. Since we opened over 11 years ago, the city has grown-up tremendously in a fashion sense. New York probably would have been easier but I believe in South Florida, and that is home.

GALO: On your store’s Web site, you mention in the “Why Vintage?” section that many vintage clothes bear a union label, meaning that the clothing is not the product of the abusive practices that occur in third-world countries. Does it concern or anger you that much of the clothing produced in modern factories is made in countries like China?

MK: I understand that most of the garments today are made offshore. My anger is based on [the question], why are they not made in the United States? This is all the fault of the U.S. government who for decades has not been protecting American manufacturers. Years ago, there was a thriving garment industry in South Florida. This disappeared because they were not protected by tariffs imposed to make them competitive with these other countries. Our exported goods were subject to taxes but it was a one-way street.

GALO: In July 2012, ABC News reported that while Ralph Lauren designed the uniforms for Team U.S.A. for the Summer Olympics, the garments were all produced overseas. Is this cause for concern? If these pieces were brought into your storeroom 10 or 20 years from now, would you purchase them?

MK: I think that the U.S.A. uniforms should have been manufactured in this country. You will have to check back with me in 20 years to see if I would accept these pieces in our store. I look forward to facing that problem them.

GALO: What is your favorite decade, fashion-wise?

MK: My favorite decade is the 1930s. Those bias-cut dresses, especially in silk, were very glamorous and had a sleek, sexy look.

GALO: What is your favorite part of your day at C. Madeleine’s?

MK: My favorite part of the day is looking at “new” merchandise and deciding what to accept for the store. There are so many factors to consider. It is amazing how much of a debate can be generated by a simple black dress with no label.

GALO: Now that you have a successful store and are a published author, what projects do you have on the horizon?

MK: There are so many things I am working on that I wish I could just blurt them out. Unfortunately, I can’t, but they are truly exciting. I do promise to give you the word right after some of them are finalized.

“The Truth of Time” was published by iUniverse and is now widely available in bookstores and online.

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