Today we’d like to introduce you to Keicia Shanta.
Keicia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
It all started with a blog! I started FashionCrush in 2012 when people had no idea what a fashion blogger was. Being raised in the South, we have fashionable people but we never were recognized as being a fashion destination. I had a really good eye for style paired with my ability to spot a good deal lead me to become a fashion blogger. Back then, we were basically blogging for the love of it but now you can make a pretty good living off of being a fashion influencer. I loved sharing my fab finds with my audience and soon, I began writing for an urban lifestyle publication in Birmingham, Alabama. About the same time, my oldest daughter showed an interest in modeling and wanted to attend model workshops and model castings. I heard so many horror stories of people in the modeling industry not being legit so I decided to become a momager for my child to make sure she was working with reputable companies and in a safe environment. One of the very first shows she booked was for Lucky Brand jeans where we had the amazing opportunity to work with Tim Gunn. That opportunity was like God telling me fashion was going to be a really big part of my life.
As I continued to grow the blog, I learned and mastered how to network and began attending as many fashion shows and events that I could in town. I researched the local fashion designers and creatives and learned about their companies. I always felt that you don’t have to move to New York or L.A. to pursue a career in fashion and I was adamant in proving that. Soon, I was attending bigger events in bigger cities and forming relationships with PR representatives. Shortly after, I was fortunate to meet and interview Adam Lippes, Rebecca Minkoff and Billy Reid for FashionCrushWeekly. By this time, our son and our youngest daughter began to show interest in modeling. Having three children persuing the same dream and FashionCrush getting more brand collaborations kept me with a full plate.
By this time, retailers and brands were beginning to look for more online personalities and content. I knew I had more to do in building my brand and editorial fashion styling was calling my name. I began to reach out to my fashion connections to see if they needed fashion stylist on any projects they had coming up. Remember I told you of my great eye for style? Having a strong work ethic and great style lead me to work on seasonal lookbook campaigns for Belk, Kohls and Saks Fifth Avenue. My amazing mentor then suggested that I look into televised style segments. I was afraid of TV! They said TV adds 20 pounds! I put all those insecurities aside and began to work with local tv producers on creating seasonal style segments for their networks. I would even take the kids to model for me on some of our press days. It was becoming a family affair!
I couldn’t believe it! My southern-based fashion business was actually growing! I didn’t have to explain what a fashion blogger was anymore but at this point in my life, fashion week was calling. It is the pinnacle for any fashion blogger/influencer to attend NYFW: The Shows. So, I reached out to my fashion PR connects to see if any of their clients were presenting collections for the Fall shows. I was seated for five shows on my very first fashion week and It was everything! I think me attending NYFW sparked something in me to become more of an asset to the fashion industry and I would soon see how I would make that impact.
NYFW also inspired me to search for amazing design talent in my city and to find a platform for them to flourish. A couple of years go by, our kids are now transitioning to teen models and I transition from blogger to influencer. Two of my fashion brothers Daniel Grier, fashion designer (Splashed by DKG) and Derek DeAndre, fashion designer (Love & Osker) assembled an amazing group of creatives to produce Magic City Fashion Week in Birmingham. My role in Season I was that of the blogger/influencer coordinator. I had an amazing time working with all the creatives, photographers and bloggers. I gained so much experience working with all facets of the media that my role in Season II evolved into Public Relations Coordinator. We look forward to many years of highlighting emerging design talent and creatives.
With all the valuable insights I gained over the years in fashion, public relations kind of fell in my lap. I began to work with influencers and creatives to secure brand collaborations with retailers. We have worked with Hibbett Sports, Macy’s, Belk, Banana Republic, Shops of Grand River, David Bridals, Kohls, Nike, and Nordstrom. Now, I wanted to expand my reach further in the South. My husband is then promoted and we relocate to San Antonio. I always heard great things about the fashion industry in Texas and I was soon on my way to expand my reach.
Upon arriving in San Antonio, I quickly hit the ground running researching and learning about the fashion community in Texas. I learned that San Antonio had a chapter of Fashion Group International. FGI does so much in fostering future design talent and creatives and I knew then I had to join. I am excited to be a member of FGI and I look forward to many years of growing the southern fashion industry. It all started with a blog! Who knew that blogging would lead me on a path to create a business that I can leave to my children?
I am currently assisting fashion designers on how to become more circular and to create a sustainable fashion business with the help of the CFDA and fashion Revolution. You can also find me giving fashion and style inspo on Fab Fit Fun, South China Morning Post US edition and Medium a division under the Huffington Post.
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not! Some of my struggles were in the beginning stages of business. I most definitely had to make sure that I was taken seriously and to promote a diverse and inclusive fashion industry. The south has so much stigma surrounding race that it was pivotal in my day to day to push for diversity. It even came down to when they didn’t want to give me a seat at the table, I had to create my own table.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
FashionCrushWeekly is a fashion/lifestyle brand that gives #styleinspo 365 a year!
I am the fashion editor, editorial fashion stylist for FashionCrushWeekly.
I specialize in trend forecasting, fashion and style tips. Public Relations in the fashion and beauty space.
I am known for not only my amazing style, but I am also known for pairing influencers with brands and working with all facets of the media from print, tv and online.
I am most proud of my company is that we give an unbiased look into fashion and lifestyle trends. We give you insights on sustainability and how to be conscious consumers plus highlighting the future of fashion. I love that we give honest reviews and insights, not a bunch of sponsored content.
What sets me apart from others is my authenticity. I have been doing this a long time (seven years) so I am considered an OG in the influencer space. LOL! My kids started from modeling and now, they all have set out for careers in the fashion industry from beauty influencers to content creators. Documenting the highs and lows, in the beginning, set the tone on how transparency and authenticity lead to longevity.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Dallas and surrounding cities, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston are amazing places to pursue a career as a fashion blogger/influencer. All of the cities named are thriving and already have a big fashion presence so of course, networking is going to be your best friend. There are tons of fashion events and shows so it’s up to the individual to hit the ground running to learn the landscape.
Contact Info:
- Website: fashioncrushweekly.com
- Phone: 205-542-1050
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fashioncrushweekly/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fashioncrushweekly/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fashioncrushed?lang=en
Image Credit:
Rob Jenkins
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