Today we’d like to introduce you to Kedar Clarke.
Hi Kedar, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up with this infatuation for style and design and how it made someone look and feel! My mom was the first “stylist” that I had come across. My parents separated (and eventually divorced) when I was 3. This inevitably left my mom in a financial bind for most of my childhood. Daily I’d watch her struggle to deal with it all mentally but it was just something magical when, despite our situation, she’d dress up and seize the day looking ten times stronger than i know she really was. Clothing carried power and i had first hand knowledge of this fact. Growing up in The Bahamas, fashion stylists and the likes weren’t careers that we saw at all. Most told me that I’d have to go to New York or Los Angeles if that was a path I wanted. Upon graduating university, i partnered with a few local photographers who had also just return from American universities/colleges and had the same creative passion as I did. We would stage shoots with aspiring models and I would raid either my own wardrobe or that of my mom’s and some cool thrift store finds. As the momentum picked up and more locals saw what a “fashion stylist” was all about, especially through my constant social media posts, i eventually began getting paid by individuals and larger companies to stylist their ad campaigns! Thus, my creative brand “Kedar In Style” (KIS) was established. It was the start of fulfilling my dreams.
This new fame positioned me to take on the role of as the youngest COO of “Mode Iles Ltd”; production company of “Islands of the World Fashion Week” and the “Islands of the World Fashion Week Tour”. My “fashion star” was definitely exceeding all of my expectations!
Upon completion of my contract, I started “Fash|Art”; An exciting event platform showcasing new + emerging talents in fashion design + visual arts in The Bahamas. My goal was to use the rise of social media and bring just as much spotlight on new talent that i previously brought to more seasoned professionals in my previous capacity. It was a smashing success for all who passed through our programs.
Despite making my way around the fashion industry in the capacities that weren’t so commonly considered, i definitely held onto my fire and love of design. Being in the industry taught me that it took more than just making beautiful clothing to be a financially successful designer. I watched. I learned. I prepared. My plan to make “fashion armor” (suits) beautiful, accessible and affordable for most, was my ultimate goal! “KIS Bespoke” was birth publicly in 2015, after collaborating with tailors for 8 years prior, designing custom pieces for my individual clients and projects. I found a niche in the bridal market to make suits that were show stoppers! I wanted to make a groom just as memorable as his bride would be. I sourced brocade (pattered) fabrics from everywhere! Eventually, i had men and women reaching out to have a suits designed in my signature vibrant style!
The journey still continues for me as constantly find joy designing for new and old clients and watching the physical and mental transformation happen for them as i once did my mom.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
What’s is a smooth road?? lol! Initially, start-up funding was a challenge. As much as I wanted to get investors, i stared clear of them because they wanted to have creative control. I definitely didn’t want that. This is where I actually worked at a local hotel and saved almost every dollar to self fund my projects. I joke sometimes that as a stylist, in my first year i made less than 3-figures ($867). It was horrible but thankfully i had a supportive family that helped until i was able to sustain myself in business.
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?
My company “KIS Bespoke” is known as the “go-to” for all of your custom suiting needs! We provide bespoke and made-to-measure suiting, all customized to the clients specific design desires. At this point, I am so proud of the fact that people spot on Of my designs in a crowd. Compared to most tailors, we provide traditional suiting but with an extreme modern twist!
Contact Info:
- Website: KISBESPOKE.COM
- Instagram: @KISBESPOKE
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KISBespoke/
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