Meet Kennedy Owens | Fashion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kennedy Owens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kennedy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Before I even started my business I had to learn how to sew. I wasn’t always set on becoming a designer; I grew up wanting to be a model. I loved watching Americas Next Top Model and my family would be so encouraging and manifesting my model career already at such a young age. I did a couple fashion shows walking for various brands but I wasn’t completely satisfied. Coincidentally my neighbor Marcy was a seamstress and had her own brand so my mom pushed me to go over and see if she could teach me. After my first sewing lessons getting to know the basics Marcy helped me make a simple skirt and it came out great. Finishing a project just felt so rewarding so I wanted to keep going. Shortly after my very first days of sewing I started my business plan. First I came up with a couple of names to choose from, then I had to figure out my value proposition, market needs, competition, and target audience. The basis of this plan would be that my products will be handmade and affordable with great quality and I will market towards young adults who are looking to keep up with the trends. To compete with the competition, I would market my brand as a slow fashion brand rather than a mass produced line and include plus sizes. After writing out my plan, I started designing my website from scratch. One thing that I have come to learn is that my business will forever be evolving. I have made many logos, styles of clothing, even changing aesthetics, or certain colors that I choose to use to keep things, fresh and authentic to me. But I know that my business plan will always stay the same because I have high moral values.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Designing is a form of art, whether that is designing clothes, furniture, cars, etc. When I designed my first collection I pulled inspiration from social media, or just being present in every day life. It came easy to me because I already knew what my target audience was looking for and there were already new trends coming to fruition as I am creating. I continued to follow that process for two years until I had a bit of a blockage of what I wanted next for my brand and for a good year, I had no new designs to put out. So I went back to the drawing board and just figured out who I was and the purpose of my brand. It is very important to know when it’s time for things or people to evolve and grow, because that’s exactly what my brand had to do in order to continue. After going through different phases in life and changing my logo, my target audience and market strategies I finally created my newest collection and got the opportunity to present it in Atlanta at a fashion show. I finally feel satisfied with the new direction of my brand and I’m excited for what’s next.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give credit to my neighbor, Marcy, I couldn’t have started my business without her, because anything that I have ever needed for my business she either let me grab it from her studio or she goes and get it herself. I really appreciate all her help from the beginning. I’m not sure where my brand would be without her.

Website: https://Komadeclothing.com

Instagram: Komadeclothing

Linkedin: Kennedy Owens

Facebook: K. O. Made Clothing