As a Los Angeles resident—and anyone with a keen eye on the city’s vibrant cultural resurgence—you’d be hard pressed not to consider Katherine Ross a formidable force. The L.A. transplant single-handedly spearheaded the Wear LACMA program, which brought local design talent into the museum to reinterpret some of their greatest works, garnering both national attention and critical acclaim to the program. The Fall 2016 collection will feature one-of-a-kind items by Oliver Peoples, Pam & Gela and Lisa Eisner, all inspired by the museum’s permanent collection.

Ross and her husband, LACMA Director Michael Govan, are the quintessential example of the all-too-powerful allure the city has had on some of New York’s creative set. After stints at LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga, she’s brought her keen eye and unparalleled understanding to the city, which has been better for it.

Ross talks to the CFDA about fostering talent, encouraging innovation and bringing with it, the long overdue recognition and credibility that had long been lacking.

During your time in L.A., how have you seen and felt that the creative scene has changed?

I have been in Los Angeles for 10 years and when we first arrived, I thought it felt a bit like the Wild West – full of potential but undefined and a bit scattered. Today, I feel like the cultural fabric of the city is blossoming and there are stronger connections within the creative communities. Culturally, the city is flourishing in fashion, art, music, food and so many other areas.  Many people say that there are more creative people — visual artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers, etc. – living in Los Angeles than there are in any other city in the world.

How do you feel fashion is evolving? Do you see that evolvement evident in L.A., and if so, how?

I think there is a lot of craftsmanship and artistry here. Los Angeles used to be all about jeans and T-Shirts, but now there is so much more.  I have a project that I organize each season for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art called Wear LACMA, where we ask L.A.-based designers to find inspiration from the permanent collection for a product they produce. I am certain that I am not going to run out of creative L.A.-designers to ask.

Do you think there’s been a shift in credibility when it comes to L.A. design and talent?

I think there has definitely been a shift in credibility when it comes to LA-based designers.  I think there has always been talent here but now they seem to have a voice and people are paying attention to what is going on in this city. I think when we moved here 10 years ago, many people said “What are you doing?” and now those same people are saying, “How can we join you?”

Why do you think L.A. has had the momentum it has had over the past few years in regards to fashion?

The wonderful thing about living and working in fashion here in Los Angeles is that you have a real opportunity to go off the grid and do it your own way and on your own terms. Los Angeles really affords designers the opportunity and freedom to focus more on the creativity and a bit less on the business of fashion. I also think there is a pretty strong creative community here and everyone supports one another.

There have also been more than a handful of young designers here that have had great success in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund – Libertine, Rodarte, The Elder Statesman, Jennifer Meyer, Juan Carlos Obando, Esquivel, Irene Neuwirth, to name a few – and that recognition has helped next generations realize that there are opportunities here for designers outside of the denim and T-Shirt markets.

What are your current views on the state of fashion overall? How do you view the fashion “system” and where it currently stands?

Working in the digital age has caused us to take a good look at some of the inefficient ways we have been working.  I am excited to see how it evolves. I don’t think there is a fashion brand that does not ask itself every day how it can change things up and be more efficient and more creative with regard to the product, how it is communicated and how it is sold to the consumer.

What makes you most excited about the future of fashion?

I really enjoy when worlds collide between art and fashion. I am always excited by new ideas and the revival of influences.