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by Fredsonn Silva Agudá whit Kiara C. Morrow the Kicomo's creator. @kingkicomo
If you are a true fashion lover and you enjoy kids' fashion in particular, we are certain that at some point you must have watched a children's fashion show where you have come across one of the most exciting and sensational kids' fashion brands of the moment: KICOMO, by Kiara C. Morrow, which always takes a great stance on any stage. With its very original stunning prints and patterns, its exceptional finishes, and most importantly, its constant quest for great comfort and sustainability, KICOMO is at the forefront of the best kids' brands. To be able to wear creative clothes that celebrate individuality in each person is certainly a privilege. When you wear KICOMO, you are actually wearing yourself, your own interpretation of who you are, and for the first time perhaps, being unique and different feels like the right way to be! Celebrating each person's uniqueness and individuality is what KICOMO always strives for, and what a beautiful job they do at that! Today, at BAHIA KIDS, we feel very lucky and privileged to be able to spend a few moments chatting with Kiara and getting to know her as a person, as well as the ins-and-outs of the lovely brand she has created by herself through great doses of tenacious work, focus and dedication. Let's get right into it!
Video promo Season 6 Spring Summer 2022.
Fredsonn: Hello, Kiara, how are you? First of all, thank you for agreeing to this wonderful interview. We are big fans of you, as a person, and of the fantastic clothing brand that you have created. Could you please introduce yourself and take us back to your roots? Maybe tell us a little bit about who you are, where you grew up and what you liked to do as a child…
Kiara: I am great! Thank you for asking. How are you? F: Fine, thank you. Very excited to be able to talk to you today, actually. K: Yes, me too! So happy to be a part of BAHIA KIDS Magazine! Well, let's begin... My name is and I was born in Alabama, raised in Virginia. During my childhood, I was very blessed to have two great parents who pushed me to go after my dreams, even if I gave them a little bit of hard time. I sincerely apologize, Mum and Dad, for the troubles [laughs]. My parents really brought me to my love of traveling. We would do family trips around the world together and every time it was such a great enriching and learning experience for me. My Grandfather also started my love for books. I was always reading, and anything he was reading, I was reading. I was a child with many interests, and one of my favorite interests --besides Fashion-- was Tae Kwon Do. I loved competing in Tournaments at Tae Kwon Do. It was the best outlet for me as kid, apparently, as I had so much energy, I have been told. I could not sit still for the life of me! [laughs] I guess that is why I did Tae Kwon Do for so long, and I only stopped after I got my 3rd Degree Black Belt. I really loved it. I always wanted to try something new: gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, ballet, learning to play the drums, sewing, painting, photography... you name it, I was doing it! I never fit into a mold or a certain group, I did what I loved and wasn’t trying to fit into a box.
F: It sounds like you were a very creative, active, busy child! [laughs] Could you tell us about little Kiara and the world of fashion? Did you always like fashion as a kid? Were you a creative child who was also interested in design and/or clothes or dressing up?
K: You can call me a creative child indeed: music, poetry, fashion, art, painting, photography... I did it all! I was doing art competitions in Middle and High School. I even won a poetry contest in Middle School and a Photography contest in High School. The only reason my art was in contests was because someone snuck in behind my back. I am the hardest critique of myself. It took a long time for me to have the courage to put my designs out there. I was actually sketching fashion looks for the longest time. There are tons and tons of old sketch books in my parents’ house and not even my family have seen a lot of my art. I enjoy fashion on other people, I like designing and dressing up other people. I never wanted to be a model or the person in front of the camera. I loved being the person behind the pencil and camera. I want my art to speak for itself.
F: And how did life take you to the moment when you decided to create your KICOMO brand? What (or what person/s) inspired you to embark in such a challenging and rewarding trajectory? Can you tell us how your company started and evolved? And why dressing kids, and not adults?
K: You will never believe this, but I was sick and tired of working for other people who treated me terribly! During and after college I was doing internships and working for companies. (I will not list names). I worked for a company that told me my hair was never good enough or appropriate for work, that I needed to relax my hair; I was even told to consider shaving it off!! I was also told that the texture of my hair was not fashionable and work attire appropriate. I was a black woman with natural hair living in Florida at that time. Ponder that. I had another work experience where nothing I did was good enough. I was called stupid, slow, and even ugly. But all the work I did, they would take the credit for it, especially when the client loved it. Those are just a few examples... I have plenty more, but I will not even get into those. At first, I believed what these companies were saying. I mean, they were successful CEOs working with celebrities and high-end and luxurious clienteles, so what did I know? I just hit a point after a certain amount of time, --it may have been my Mom saying: "You can either be depressed and let them win or get up and prove them wrong. You must pick one."--. Or it could have been when I was teaching and coaching kids, and I was listening to these kids talk about themselves with low self-esteem and disregard of their self-worth. Or it could have been the moment when, being a Big Sister --I have a brother and sister-- I realized that I had two lovely siblings looking up to me and I needed to be an example... So, it was during those moments that I decided I needed to get up and do something about it!!! And kids are really the future... so, why not them! I actually think that If I had seen more people who looked like me on the runways and fashion magazines, I would’ve turned out a little different. And here were are today.
Model: @taylenbiggs
F: And how did life take you to the moment when you decided to create your KICOMO brand? What (or what person/s) inspired you to embark in such a challenging and rewarding trajectory? Can you tell us how your company started and evolved? And why dressing kids, and not adults?
K: You will never believe this, but I was sick and tired of working for other people who treated me terribly! During and after college I was doing internships and working for companies. (I will not list names). I worked for a company that told me my hair was never good enough or appropriate for work, that I needed to relax my hair; I was even told to consider shaving it off!! I was also told that the texture of my hair was not fashionable and work attire appropriate. I was a black woman with natural hair living in Florida at that time. Ponder that. I had another work experience where nothing I did was good enough. I was called stupid, slow, and even ugly. But all the work I did, they would take the credit for it, especially when the client loved it. Those are just a few examples... I have plenty more, but I will not even get into those. At first, I believed what these companies were saying. I mean, they were successful CEOs working with celebrities and high-end and luxurious clienteles, so what did I know? I just hit a point after a certain amount of time, --it may have been my Mom saying: "You can either be depressed and let them win or get up and prove them wrong. You must pick one."--. Or it could have been when I was teaching and coaching kids, and I was listening to these kids talk about themselves with low self-esteem and disregard of their self-worth. Or it could have been the moment when, being a Big Sister --I have a brother and sister-- I realized that I had two lovely siblings looking up to me and I needed to be an example... So, it was during those moments that I decided I needed to get up and do something about it!!! And kids are really the future... so, why not them! I actually think that If I had seen more people who looked like me on the runways and fashion magazines, I would’ve turned out a little different. And here were are today.
F: Wow, that's fascinating! We actually do need to change the world through the children's eyes, I believe. Change comes with the newer generations and the work you are doing with them is truly crucial. We thank you for that. I am actually very curious and fascinated by the motto/statement you have on your company’s website: ‘‘BE THE PERSON WHO CHANGES THE WORLD & NOT THE PERSON WHO LETS THE WORLD CHANGE THEM’’. What can you tell us about it? And how are you planning to change the world?
K: I do not plan to be Wonder Woman or anything. [laughs] If I can make a little difference here and there, I feel I am doing my part in the world. Even if it’s by only using natural fibers in my clothing, for example. Or even by helping kids regain their self-esteem by seeing themselves on that runway and magazine. If I achieve that, that is already a big accomplishment, and that is my little contribution to changing the world, one kid at a time... F: One of the first things that strike people about your company is your very intriguing name “KICOMO”. How did you come up with it and what does it mean? K: It’s actually an acronym of my name. Kiara Colby Morrow. Kiara means to make a change and/or difference. Thus, KICOMO is born.
Show Flying Solo Paris Fashion Week 2020, models left to right: @kevim.paloma, @bellaalexandras & @shamuelsilvamodel.
F: I see that your beautiful KICOMO designs sell all over the world and they are worn by many people from various ethnic backgrounds and origins. How does that make you feel? Are you proud to see kids from all walks of life wearing your clothes? And do you have a target clientele?
K: Yes, it makes me feel like KICOMO is heading towards success. Having kids from around the globe wear my clothes was indeed the original intent, and I am watching it come to life. I can't really say if I have a target clientele. My clientele is anyone who wants to be different and learn a little more about the world around them. We can all learn from each other, and the real beauty is in the different backgrounds and origins. That's what makes life more fascinating!
F: In your website I noted two very powerful statements you have printed in bold letters: “Not mass produced” and “Natural fibers only.” We know that, in fashion, lots of people take pride by paying careful attention to the product that they create for their clients, in terms of quality, sustainability and ethical practices. What’s your approach towards a better world?
K: Like I said previously, I think that we all can do our part to make this world a better place. For me, It starts with just the simplest things, such as recycling, using natural materials, limiting the number of clothing being produced, etc. It all helps towards the bigger picture of preserving our environment. Global Warming is real, the earth is our home and we have the obligation to take care of our home. KICOMO designs for kids, so why not make sure their future is happy and a long one? We owe it to them.
F: Kiara, where do you find your inspiration to create your designs? Do you have any specific kids in mind? Would you say that the children in your close circle of family & friends help you attain inspiration for your clothes, …or maybe your inspiration doesn’t have anything to do with kids?
K: Inspiration is all around us. I pull inspiration from music, books, artwork, and even my personal emotions. I cannot say there is just one thing that inspires me, everything in life inspires me. A lot of my friends and family around my age were beginning to have children. I love gifting them with KICOMO designs. I like being the fun Aunt who spoils them in Fashion. But it is not just kids I design for... Remember, we are not mass produced, so, anything you see I can design to anyone’s specifications. KICOMO is for anyone and everyone who wants to look great, original and unique.
Model: @Karmenklb
F: That's awesome! I want one of everything in my size, please!!! [laughs] My online order is coming in shortly, so wait for it! Kiara, let’s talk about prints. Your designs are making huge bold fashion statements as you tend to use quite stunning textiles. And I see a lot of powerful strong colours… shapes… patterns… which look very unique and amazing in their own way! They seem to be reminiscent of African culture (a theme you have also used in the advertisements of your last collection). What can you tell us about all this?
K: Ankara fabric is the one of the most common type of African fabrics throughout the continent and is characterized by having bold colors and designs. I absolutely love working with Ankara prints. The prints alone can tell a story and they are 100% cotton. I guess this can also answer your previous question about my roots. In a way it's my way of keeping my history and roots going. I am proud of my heritage and who I am.
F: And we truly admire you for that. I wish we were all that way, and the world would be indeed a better place. Please, let’s talk about KICOMO Season VI (your last collection). How does "duality" play a role into creating "unity" and why are you running away from “generic patterns of beauty”?
K: Duality teaches us that every aspect of life is created from a balanced interaction of opposite and competing forces. These forces are opposite but complement each other. This Collection captures and brings Unity in Duality, from the color scheme to the prints together, forming beauty. Different is Beautiful. Just take, for example, The Yin and Yang, the two complementary and opposing forces that make up all aspects and phenomena of life. Yin is a symbol of earth, femaleness, and darkness. Yang is perceived as heaven, maleness, and light. And they're both complementary, together completing each other, in one.
F: What are you most proud of, in terms of achievements of your brand (other than being able to showcase your clothes at Fashion Weeks around the world)? Anything on the personal/human level?
K: I think everything I can achieve thus far has been a blessing and great achievement. I honestly never thought I would be doing things I have been doing. KICOMO is created in my bedroom with just me, paper, fabric, and a sewing machine. I think everyday I shock myself with how far KICOMO just keeps going. That fact, that my designs are even liked by other people, feels great.
Show Flying Solo Paris Fashion Week 2020.
F: Where would you like to take your brand in the future? What are your business plans? Any exciting news that you might want to share with us?
K: If I had to dream big, I would I say I would love for KICOMO to be a Fashion House. Like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace etc. It would absolutely be amazing if one day the CFDA recognized Kiara Morrow and I was accepted as a Member. Be a part of the many fashion brands/companies who strengthen the impact of American fashion in the global economy, that is a dream. But I take each day as it comes, keep working, staying focused and not giving up. Unfortunately, I do not have anything that I can share yet, at this very moment. Hopefully you stay tuned and keep following my journey, as many good things are coming!
F: Oh, I am just so excited for what's to come! I can't wait! Kiara, to wrap this wonderful interview up, we usually end our interviews by asking the talented artists a simple question: Do you have any advice or tips for the ‘newbies’ out there who are trying to launch their own brand and make it in the fashion industry? What’s the key to success?
K: Success is different for everyone. You should set big goals, but at the same time, you need to have small goals in between. If you have a passion and dream, go after it. Do not let other people determine your success in life. If you want it, then, to make it happen, fight for it! Many are going to take advantage of you and treat you unkindly, but those negative obstacles are just bumps in the road. Don’t let it steer you off your journey. As for the people who do have your back and are there for you and help you achieve success, there may be few, but be kind & gracious and help others as well. Everything will come in due time. F: That's a great piece of advice. Thank you so much, Kiara, for your words, and thank you, KICOMO, for making our lives and our world so exciting and beautiful. We love you! K: Thank you for this opportunity, Fredsonn, and all the best to BAHIA KIDS. See you all on the runway at the next Fashion Week! Much love to everyone!
The interview was originally published in the Bahia Kids Magazine in September 2021. edition.
Find Kicomo here:
Contato :
Fredsonn Silva Agudá
Fashion Stylist & Fashion ProducerInstagran : @fredsonnsilvaaguda
Email : bahiakidsmagazine@gmail.com
Email : braziliankidsfw@gmail.com
Whatsapp : +1(647)9491501