Kira Hardin: Be Fly, You Only Get One Life

 I grew up in Brownsville, Tennessee, formally known as the Big 38012. I knew I had to stand out in my town in some way, shape, or form. Fashion was always in me, but I never knew until I got tired of being like everyone else. To me, fashion is simply being you in your look and style. Oftentimes, people may struggle to find what genuinely fits them and go through many style changes and trends to find what they have on the inside of them, I was that individual. I grew up loving to look and feel stylish. I remember dressing up in Justice, Baby Phat, Coogi, and Roco-A-wear brands and having the long sneaker boots that looked like Converse, but mine had glitter. I loved dressing up and getting my hair done because I felt like the real me would come out. I was also in tune with Rihanna and Teyana Taylor. I knew I had a "passion for fashion", it just took me time to get to the point where I knew I wanted to take my sense of taste seriously. I remember going from elementary to high school and hearing, "Jakira, where did you get your clothes? or "Where did you get your shoes? or a simple "Who did your hair? In my high school years, I got picked on for what I would wear, and given the very strict requirement for dress code, I always managed to get violated for not obeying it. I always wanted to add something to my uniform, to the point I got written up! I always wanted to stand out, so for me to go through that was a story in itself. I genuinely felt I couldn’t express myself due to the rules that were laid on my plate. It was my senior year when things changed, and I was free! The dress code was no longer required, and I could've run with that, but I didn't. I graduated and realized what was once my style wasn't my style anymore. I ran into Pinterest, and it became my best friend. If you don’t know what Pinterest is, it’s an app you can use to look up different styles, decor, quotes, and so much more! IT'S SOCIAL MEDIA WITHOUT THE MEDIA! I became connected with Pinterest, and nothing caught my eye until I knew I had a love for streetwear. I began to search for different ways to go about wearing the items. I spent so much money on clothes and shoes because I knew "this was what I wanted!". I finally found my look. That streetwear, chill look! After I found my style, I eagerly wanted to help others achieve their personalized beauty. I created my own business for virtual styling and began to help others expand their sense of clothing. I wanted my clients to know that you can take any piece and make it look and feel expensive. I even created a beanie brand called "The Nobodies," and my slogan was "overlooked but never overdressed," because, to me, people were always overlooked until they put that one outfit on that drew attention that should’ve been given firsthand. I wanted others to set that tone, feel one with my brand, and truly express themselves in it. I wanted them to know that fashion is an art. I hate that it doesn’t get noticed until you put that stuff on! I ran across this individual named Quan from Atlanta who’s a YouTuber, and his style was so interesting. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN WHEN I SAY FLY! He opened my eyes, and from then on, I realized fashion is what you make it. His style made me say to myself, "You’re a rockstar, BE IT!". From that point on, I began tapping into that rocker look, and I fell in love with that side of me because it fit me. I love to change my look every other month because fashion is more than one look, and it has grown and advanced since back in the day. I loved New York and how people would leave their houses looking like the flyest thing walking the square. In the fashion industry, I can say it’s not as authentic, and I say that because now it’s becoming a trend to copy and paste an outfit or look and not be in it authentically. Everybody is beginning to look alike, and fashion is way more than just clothes; it’s tapping into that inner you. Fashion is and will always remain a part of me, and I thank God for giving me such a vibe and creative instinct because, without him, I would be nothing. I plan to continue my virtual styling business and take it another route by doing photoshoots, grabbing others' attention, and letting them know, "Be Fly; You Only Get One Life"!