Rising Stars: Meet Keyonna (Key) Hawkins of Kansas City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keyonna (Key) Hawkins

Keyonna (Key), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Roughly 8 years ago after graduation I was working 4-5 part time jobs, yet there was only one gig that made me feel excited to show up every day. That was a part-time job at Old Navy on State Street. I remember feeling ecstatic after helping customers find pieces that made them glow with confidence.

I decided to forgo the path of what I should do. I quit all my jobs related to the mental health field to follow that feeling I got helping customers. I decided I’d live a life following my passions.

After a few years in retail, I began to wonder “what’s next?” One night, my roommates and I were talking about what the next chapter is and one of them said, “what about a corporate stylist?!” From that moment, the word stylist ruminated in the back of my mind. I began the journey of discovering what a stylist was and how I could become one.

I planned my first solo trip to L.A. to attend a Fashion Stylist seminar and was eager to hit the ground running; motivated and inspired to put myself out there as a fashion stylist. After cold DM’ing photographers and models, I finally planned out my first photoshoot; passion and determination running rampant. Then, COVID-19 shut the world down. I felt stuck in place: ready to start with a world standing still.

I turned to blogging and social media to find an outlet for my newly found passion for fashion. But, it wasn’t until the world started to open up again that I began my journey into becoming a fashion stylist. Shortly after, I moved to Kansas City and immediately immersed myself in the fashion community. I wanted to take every opportunity I could to network, learn and grow as a stylist.

That was 4 years ago and I haven’t slowed down since. Between styling photoshoots, collections in fashion shows, dabbling in modeling and runway production; I’m continuing to find my path as a Fashion Stylist and Entrepreneur in the Kansas City Fashion Community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been the smoothest journey, if I’m being honest I’m still figuring it all out. There have been times where I’ve felt like an imposter. Times when I’ve grieved the career in mental health I walked away from. Times where surviving and paying my bills became a higher priority than following my passion.

In Kansas City there is a thriving creative community in the fashion world but it’s been difficult to break through to the professional side of that. Not to mention, finding my lane and my true passions versus just getting caught up in all the excitement and glamour that comes from being in the fashion community.

One of the biggest struggles I’ve experience is learning the business side of being an entrepreneur. My passions and skills lie with people and clothing and colors and details. Not business logistics, setting service prices, marketing said services or knowing how to budget for it all.

There have been times when that piece has felt very daunting.

Another struggle is recognizing when to say yes or no. As a growing stylist, it’s so easy to want to say yes to everything. For the experience, for the portfolio, for the fun of it all. But at a certain point, consistently saying yes to things that aren’t necessarily aligned or right for your career development can wear you down. I’m still on my journey of recognizing what’s authentic and aligned in who I want to be as a fashion stylist.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While I wear many hats, Fashion Stylist is one of my favorites. This involves pulling and styling wardrobe for photoshoots, collections, videos, film etc. and bringing the vision to life through wardrobe. I love the challenge of hearing a concept for a shoot or collection and finding wardrobe that is aligned with the vision.

Styling involves understanding what is visually needed and how to achieve that with the element of wardrobe. When it comes to fashion, the wardrobe is the art, so the journey of learning and collaborating on the vision, then being able to bring that to life, is my favorite part.

In recent years, I’ve taken a liking to styling for the runway. I’ve competed in an Emerging Fashion Stylist competition in South Carolina, collaborated with designers/boutiques to help style their collections and styled a mini collection in a local KC fashion show. The freedom to style a cohesive collection is one of my favorite ways to fully let my creativity shine when it comes to fashion styling.

Equally, I’m growing a love for working behind the scenes in fashion shows to help produce a successful runway experience. Between volunteering, being a backstage manager, runway coordinator, program director, model, and “designer;” I’ve enjoyed learning every facet that goes into creating a successful runway show.

The biggest factor that sets me apart when it comes to styling or other relevant work in the fashion world is my authenticity. I show up and style according to what’s authentic to me but also what’s authentic to everyone in the collaboration. I make sure the models feel confident in what I dress them in and the vision is authentically portrayed through the wardrobe choices. That in and of itself stands out. My passion and determination also stand out; if I’m in it, I’m going to give it my best and I think most people who have worked with me see that when I show up.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
The fact that I received my education in psychology and have my Master of Counseling. It’s hard to just casually drop that in conversation. Yet, the more people I work with, the more I know my education and background helps me relate to individuals on a deeper level. Not to mention, it helps me understand how the wardrobe connects to one’s confidence. If you can make the models shine with confidence, the designs will stand that much taller.

Pricing:

• Editorial Styling – $275 per 4 looks/4 hours (+ Wardrobe Budget)
• Special Event Styling – $275 (+ Wardrobe Budget)
• Model and Branding Package – $250
• Maximize Your Wardrobe Package – $500
• VIP Styling Package – $1400

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylesbykeyllc/