After a 13-year stint at Chicago firm 555 International, Karen Herold, who grew up in Holland, went out on her own, founding Studio K Creative in 2014. 

A decade since she launched her firm, Herold has made a name for herself with a portfolio that includes restaurants for BOKA Restaurant Group like chef Stephanie Izard’s Girl and the Goat in Chicago and Los Angeles and BIÂN wellness cub in Chicago. Next up is a heli-ski project that marries Herold’s luxury background with the great outdoors. 

Here, she she talks about her time as a fashion student, what she learned from her mentor James Geier of 555 International, and building projects with people she admires.

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