By Todd C. Elliott
It has been said that during 2020, when the world was locked down in pandemic, a new era of renaissance emerged. Boredom, that great motivator, turned many a would-be artist or artisan into a creative business owner.
The Renaissance for one local Lake Charles native came after the Dark Age of COVID-19.
Kate Fusilier, a Lake Charles native and proud graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, now calls Covington, La., home. In September, she’ll head to New York City for a career-defining moment: showcasing her work at New York Fashion Week.
As the founder and CEO of Cosmic Collective, a fashion brand she launched in 2022, Fusilier has been selected for Flying Solo’s “Ones to Watch” runway show — an exclusive, invitation-only event taking place Sept. 14 on the stunning Vanderbilt Rooftop in Manhattan.
Fusilier says none of this would be happening for her if she hadn’t been able to stop her plunge into alcoholism. She spoke of her journey and future with the confidence and clarity that comes with sobriety.
Interestingly, fashion wasn’t always part of Fusilier’s plan. Her journey began in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. While most people were reaching for face masks, Fusilier gravitated toward bandanas — using them not just for protection but as stylish accessories. Even as restrictions eased, she continued wearing them, turning the bandana into a signature look that would eventually spark her passion for design.
“Back in 2020, I was drinking a lot. COVID hit, and things spiraled,” she said. “I ended up in rehab for 50 days. When I got out in 2021, I was on this mission to redefine myself — and that’s when the bandanas came in.”
Fusilier didn’t exactly expect fashion to be her path — especially not during a global pandemic. But sometimes life has a way of handing you fabric and fringe when you least expect it. What started as a pandemic accessory quickly became something more. Fusilier wasn’t just reaching for bandanas instead of face masks, she was styling them into a statement. And in that moment of reinvention, something clicked.
“I didn’t even know I had this drive in me until I got sober,” she said. “Once the fog lifted, I was excited again. I always say that Blingdana and Cosmic Collective are like the phoenix that rose from the ashes of my sobriety. I wouldn’t have done any of this otherwise.”
Her eight-piece collection, inspired by the vibrant spirit and cultural richness of Louisiana, features bold colors, tactile textures and storytelling silhouettes. The show is part of the official NYFW calendar and serves as a prestigious platform for rising global designers. Coverage from Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Harper’s Bazaar is expected. Last year, Kate attended Fall Fashion Week as a spectator, but 2025 will see her as a participant.
Before setting her sights on New York, Fusilier made waves at New Orleans Fashion Week last September. “New Orleans Fashion Week gave me the confidence to dive deeper into this,” she said. “The reaction and support from the community were overwhelming.”
This November, Fusilier will celebrate five years sober — a milestone that continues to shape everything she does.
The bandana became her signature piece, and soon she began dreaming up ways to “fancy it up” — crystal fringe, bold colors, something extra. The idea simmered until one day she spotted a full-blown Disco Cowgirl display at a boutique. Nashville-themed bachelorette parties were trending, and the crystal-studded western look was everywhere.
That’s when Fusilier had an “aha” moment — and a little fun with fate.
“I walked up to the boutique worker and said, ‘I’ve been making these crystal bandanas — do you think they’d sell?’ Total lie. I hadn’t made a single one yet!” she laughed. “She said yes, and I went home, ordered a bunch of plain bandanas and started my LLC.”
And just like that, Blingdana was born. Her friends raised eyebrows, but she shrugged it off with her “I don’t know, but I’m doing it; I have ideas” approach.
Turns out, she was onto something. Word spread fast. Someone suggested she try selling at the Dallas Market —and she did. That move turned Blingdana into a breakout hit. Soon, boutiques across the country were stocking them. Even the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium carry her work now.
As Fusilier’s creative vision expanded beyond bandanas, she rebranded to Cosmic Collective — a name that reflected the full galaxy of designs she had in mind. “Blingdanas are a product,” she said. “Cosmic Collective is the universe around them.”
By 2022, Fusilier’s creations were shipping nationwide. She was hitting markets in Vegas and Nashville. In 2024, she added hometown runway shows to her orbit. But when someone suggested dressing her Blingdana models in all black, she knew it wasn’t her vibe.
“I thought, ‘That’s not me.’ So, I started experimenting with clothing to match. I didn’t even know how to sew. I was upcycling pieces just to make it work on the runway.”
Sustainability soon became central to her brand. “Fashion is one of the biggest pollutants out there,” she said. “We’ve created this culture of ‘buy now, toss later.’ I used to be guilty of it, too. Now I’m committed to doing better.”
All the capelets on her website are made from upcycled jackets, cut to sit just right on the shoulders. Her newest item — metallic fringe chaps — is also born from recycled denim. “If I can reduce waste and still make something magical, why wouldn’t I?” she says
Eventually, she knew it was time to really learn to sew. In May, 2023, she Googled “Where can I learn to sew?” and found Seauxing Seeds Foundation, a nonprofit in Covington.
“Sweetest older ladies you’ll ever meet,” she said. “They taught me everything.” Those same women showed up to support her at New Orleans Fashion Week.
That September, things really started to take off. Project Runway even reached out with interest for an upcoming season.
With the rebrand to Cosmic Collective came a fresh burst of creativity: neon vibes, ethereal silhouettes, and a whole lot of fun. “It’s Cosmic Cowgirl meets runway dream,” she said. “Some people don’t know what to make of it — but they love it.”
Fusilier’s custom work started picking up steam, too. One standout client? Harmoni Kelley, bassist for Kenny Chesney. Fusilier designed pieces for the band’s show at The Sphere in Las Vegas — and Harmoni’s already asked for more looks for the upcoming stadium tour.
“Custom pieces are such an intimate process,” Fusilier said. “Clients tell me their vibe, their colors, their inspiration. Then I handpick everything, show them, and we build the look together.”
One of her favorite quotes — and she features it on her website — is: “Every day is a cosmic adventure worth celebrating.” It’s more than a motto. It’s a challenge to live boldly — and wear what makes you feel alive.
“People always say, ‘I love your stuff, but I don’t know where I’d wear it.’ And I tell them: Anywhere. You just need the confidence.”
Looking ahead, Fusilier is excited to show at both New York Fashion Week and New Orleans Fashion Week again this September. She’s dreaming of red carpet moments, celebrity stylists and more custom designs.
But through it all, she’s grounded by the community that believed in her first. Though she has a workspace in Covington, Fusilier also finds time to visit her parents’ home, which has also become her satellite, makeshift workspace for Cosmic Collective. As she sat at her family dining room table in Lake Charles, she worked and reflected on her work.
“My family is here, and it means so much to have a hometown that supports your dreams,” she said. “This is my home base and my roots. And I’m grateful and proud to be from Southwest Louisiana.”
At that moment, her father, Mike Fusilier, 75, a retired Lake Charles anesthesiologist, entered the dining room to find the table had become part of the Cosmic Collective assembly line. He said that he never discouraged his daughter. His initial take on her blingdanas was that they were “cute.” But her work — and her work ethic — exceeded his expectations.
“The fact is that most artists fail because they can’t handle the business aspect of the art as far as promoting and getting it out there,” said Mike. “She’s done that really well, and it makes a big difference. I was surprised, especially, when Kate made it to the New Orleans fashion show. She was right up there with the best of them.”
Mike said the Fusilier family has no plans to attend the rooftop fashion show in NYC but said that Kate always sends her parents back plenty of photos and social media posts. Kate is the baby of the Fusilier family; she has three older brothers, who look at their little sister in awe and some amazement thrown in for good measure. At the moment, the Fusilier family home is overflowing with pride — and mannequins and fabrics and materials.
Fusilier’s designs include fringe chaps, Cosmic Cowgirl slip dresses, blazer capes and, of course, the original Blingdana, all of which can be found and purchased at shopcosmiccollective.com. And she does custom pieces, as well.
Kate gives tailored advice to aspiring fashion designers from Southwest Louisiana: “It’s never too late to turn your life around. And if you’re scared? Do it (anyway). Just keep going.”
From Lake Charles, which is a level plain some 13 feet above sea level, Fusilier has reached for the stars and has become a rising star. And she’ll soon find herself leveled up, quite literally to the rooftop of one of the largest buildings in the New York City skyline. The One Vanderbilt Building, flanked by Madison Avenue, will become her pedestal, bringing her nearer to the stars for her Cosmic Collective.
Comments are closed.