Meet Kurenai Kiba | Seamstress, artist, convention chair

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

Hi Kurenai, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
No matter what section of my business that I have created, I always had to disenfranchised as a forefront of my plan. When I first started costume commissions, my main reason was because there wasn’t a lot of options for those who are plus size like me as well as never having enough pockets. And now that I’m moving onto convention planning I want to focus on an audience that doesn’t whether we have these opportunities to enjoy events like this. My plan was always to give options to those who couldn’t readily have them.

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.
I am a seamstress, artist, writer, And public speaker who is starting their own convention in Baltimore city. It took a while to get here, I’ll admit that. There are a lot of twists and turns on the road to get to where I am today. I learned how to sew regular clothes from my parents, which has granted me the opportunity to make custom costumes to be as durable and wearable as regular clothing. While creating costumes as well as art on the side for many years, for a long time my career was focused in sales and marketing. Often, I would plan events, assistant organizing, and connected with other sales managers all throughout the city to create unique experiences for both those who live here as well as those traveling to Baltimore. It was almost like an aha moment to put all of my skills together to create this convention, KhromaKon. All of the steps that I’ve been taking in my career has led up to this point, and I’m so excited for this to come into fruition.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Baltimore is the home of an amazing collection of quirky and artistic people and places where the dollar range for these places can span from completely free to extremely expensive. Depending on the person’s interest, some of the places will include the our house, paper Moon Café, the graffiti warehouse, and of course, the inner Harbor. They are fun little moments that can happen all throughout this city. From story time on a pirate ship with your little ones, to gazing down at the entire skyline from the top of the world. There’s so much you can do here.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, like to shout out to my parents who always supported my eccentric ideas ever since I was in the single digits. Second of all I’d like to shout out to ArtWay Alliance who has provided me so many opportunities as well as make friendships and connections all thanks for them.

Website: www.kurenaikiba.com

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/kurenaikiba

Linkedin: www.LinkedIn.com/britanymarriott

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/kurenaikiba590

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/kurenaikiba

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kurenaikiba

Image Credits
Table shot, Eric Suggs, ArtWay Alliance Chompette- Mia Estrada, DCist Confetti Sailorfuku- Tranquil Ashes, Cosgala Witch Haggar- Gogo Cosplay & Photography Tentacreul- KJH Photography The Seer- HeadAboveHeart