Hey y’all! I’m Kimani—I mostly go by Ki, and I’m super excited to start my first semester as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista! I’m currently a freshman at Seton Hall University, studying for a major in marketing and a minor in graphic design and advertising. While in school, I plan to study abroad and rack up more internships in New York City in order to get my dream job as a fashion buyer.
Like most people I know, the fashion world first peaked my interest when I started watching Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model and became enamored with the cities and creations that glistened through the television screen. From there on out, I was always asking for colored pencils and journals to sketch my ideas in and started learning how to sew from my grandma. However, after a sewing machine and tons of sewing classes later, my eyes glistened while I watched The Devil Wears Prada and knew that was the life I wanted to strive for. I’ve always had a knack for business. Throughout middle school, I ran a T-shirt company with my best friend, and I slowly realized how competitive the fashion design industry actually was. From that small epiphany I had watching Meryl Streep wreak terror through her office, I found my true life goals.
I have yet to pinpoint my particular style, but I love to buy essential, staple pieces to go in my closet and go from there on how to style them. I mostly get my inspiration from Rihanna, Khloe Kardashian, and Zendaya. I’m also strongly obsessed with going on YouTube for lookbook inspiration from my favorite creators: Nazanin Kavari, Jayla Koriyan, and GlamTwinz334. I’m not going to lie, I love living in leggings, throwing on my Superstars, and my oversize denim jacket. But, there are days when I want to pop out and put more effort into what I wear, which seems to be more or less every day. For this outfit, I’m wearing an olive green cold shoulder dress, black over-the-knee boots, and some gold accessories to complete the look. I also love to dress in colors and tones that complement your skin tone, so throughout shopping I’ve found gold jewelry looks best on my warm skin and found the right tones of specific colors for my clothes.
I know fashion is an extremely controversial industry, especially with how airbrushed, thin models are thrown into the faces of young, impressionable girls who pressure themselves to look like what they see around them. However, I believe fashion starts with the confidence of anyone who wants to wear what they want, paying no mind to the haters. To anyone who struggles with their image, I live by a quote by Marc Jacobs, “I always find beauty in things that are odd and imperfect—they are much more interesting.” No matter who you are, or where you’re from, walk to the beat of your own drum, or at least a banger by Beyoncé.
