Laura Kathleen Plank dreamed of being a fashion designer when she first began school. "I believe that I was created with the purpose of being an artist. I express myself best when I am designing, painting, dancing... It just so happens that I [was most interested in] how I dressed at a young age. When I was in Kindergarten, I dressed up as a fashion designer for career day. After all these years, I never changed my mind!"

Laura designs for her label, Laura Kathleen, in Saint Louis, Missouri. She confesses to being constantly on the go. "I love doing anything active. Lately most of my time has circulated around my business, but I enjoy running by myself to clear my head. It's also great alone time, to think of new creations or discover inspiration for a collection. I can't sit around for too long or I get irritated. I usually run myself crazy until I can't keep my eyes open, even if that means not sleeping for three days before a show."

She believes that a person's fashion expresses who he or she is. "Fashion is all about self-expression. I love being able to look at someone and tell who they are by how they put themselves together. Most of the time when someone doesn't have a 'fashion sense,' I think this means they do not know who they are. What you wear defines you. Who you are changes with time, thus fashion changes with time. It all depends on how flexible you are, because we all know not one thing in life stays constant."

"I love that I get to help people find themselves through understanding and identifying with a style. When I do custom garments most of my clients get overwhelmed with the choices they have. As a designer, I get to guide them to a style that is true to who they are and true to me as a designer. This is the difference between a tailor and designer.” She prefers to be recognized a designer and not a tailor. One of her main objectives is “to listen to my creativity or all the fun while working is taken away."

She finds it difficult to name one specific thing that inspires her designs. "I get [inspiration] from everywhere, and it changes each season. My style is inspired from vintage pin-ups and old movies. I love taking the vintage lines and incorporating modern treatments. My latest collection, Spring/Summer 2010, was inspired by the architecture of the Basilica Cathedral in the Central West End of Saint Louis."

Professionally, the biggest obstacle she has encountered has been expanding her business. "I feel like I have gotten great feedback and wonderful press in the Saint Louis area. However, I want to put more of my designs out there. I searched for a manufacturer that can meet my needs but it seemed that was a lost cause.”  Her plans are to hire seamstresses to alleviate the time she spends on assembly.

At the age of 25, she looks back on her life and realizes that she has done a great deal for someone her age. “I feel accomplished that at this age I can work for myself doing what I love. I opened my company in the summer of 2008, and being my biggest critic, I feel like I haven't come that far. However, when I take a step back, I am proud but still very determined."

She advises aspiring designers to seek the advice of industry professionals. "Get as much feedback as possible from all types of people but most importantly professionals. This will only make you better but you have to have a tough skin.” She also believes a person must have an existing designing talent to succeed. “You can learn to sew and learn about fabric but I do not think you can be taught to put all the elements together. However, if you naturally get it, you can be taught to improve. So Cheers to having what it takes!"

Laura Kathleen Planck is a featured designer at UsTrendy.com, where you can view her portfolio and blogs.