Our women designers series is an on-going project to highlight innovative designers across the world that incorporate YKK® products into their unique creations. Meet Kenya Freeman the CEO and Senior Lead Designer of Sylvia Mollie Collection– an American lifestyle brand that embodies bold femininity with transitional ready-to-wear pieces.
Tell us your story of becoming a fashion designer?
Becoming a fashion designer was never my thought process. I was a young teenager just wanting to wear tight skirts and be popular. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that things changed. I failed the 11th grade. In order to graduate, I had to take a series of classes including summer school, night school and a co-op course. I had two options, wood work or fashion merchandising. I chose fashion merchandising. The teacher of the course truly opened my eyes to future possibilities and believed in my abilities to win.
After attending Norfolk State and partying too much, my mom shipped me to Atlanta, where I attended American Intercontinental University. It was there when the fashion designer in me awakened and knew what I truly wanted to be in life. Upon graduating, I was excited! I thought I was going to New York and working for Donna Karen. Well, that didn’t happen. I worked retail and was a real estate agent all while making clothes for other people on the side. In 2013 I caught a break and showed my collection at WWD Magic in Vegas. It was magical. I didn’t know that people would actually write orders and they did. The momentum was high. I began sewing fulltime and got recognized by the city of Atlanta with a proclamation plaque. Work was picking up and I began creating ghost collections for local celebs. 2016 I hit a financial low and moved back home temporarily with my mom. I was devastated.
One day, I was creating a prom dress for one of the local teens, and someone said, “Apply for Project Runway,” and so I did. In 2017 I was on Season 16 of Project Runway. What a whirlwind and crazy life changing experience. Coming home, people wanted me everywhere to do 1,000 things and immediately. I started getting recognized by big brands who wanted to pay me to create things. After coming back to Atlanta, I was focused. I’m doing local shows, selling custom clothes and staying up late at night. In 2018 I was rushed to the emergency room. I had beat my body down. It made me rethink my business plan and how to create classic pieces that I can put into production and sell from the website. Doing this removes me from the sewing machine so much and allows me to truly pay attention to my health and the business side of fashion.
How do you approach learning new skills or techniques, and what strategies do you find most effective for retaining information?
Fashion is always evolving and so are we. I’m a visual learner, so I do it by looking at videos and images. YouTube is a godsend for most creatives. There’s always something new to learn and I’m always keeping up with new fashion technology and trends and incorporating new technology into the business. Clo3d is my new obsession.
What inspired you to create an innovative sewing day camp? What do you want to accomplish with the sewing day camp?
I was sewing in my 2-bedroom apartment many years ago and I had a vision for a camp. It was a day camp for kids in a very colorful building. We sit together and tell each other why we are “sew” fantastic. We break into groups and create magic. I hope to enrich young minds. I hope to bring about the best creatively. I hope to ignite that inner light that we all possess. I hope to expand in different cities and partner with the city doing school programs. Fashion is my ministry.
What do you hope to contribute to the sewing community or industry after completing this bootcamp?
I want to leave the everlasting impression that we can be fabulous and classy at the same time. I want to make classic styles ladies can wear forever! I want to be known as the designer who gave everything back to the community that raised me. I want young kids to know that the sky is truly the limit if we show them a wide range of options.
How do you handle constructive feedback and criticism, especially in a learning environment like a bootcamp?
You take and apply it. always keeping an open mind to learn new things. always knowing that I don’t know everything. I’m ok with everyone not liking everything I do. But I love it even better when they can tell what I can improve on rather than simply saying it’s not good.
How do you prioritize time management and organization when working on sewing projects, and what strategies do you use to stay focused and meet deadlines?
I am the world’s biggest procrastinator. I think it’s because I truly work best under pressure. I love it! Most times, I definitely have to make a list and stick to it. My brain is easily distracted so that also means ignoring phone calls and social media while working. I’m also really good at delegating things out. I’m totally ok with not knowing everything and relying on others’ expertise to get work done. Especially now since I’m expanding and have lots of different projects going on at the same time. When it comes to sewing, I sew whatever color thread is on the machines! LOL!
Which type of YKK® zippers do you usually incorporate into your design projects?
For elegant gowns, we often opt for an invisible zipper to keep the focus solely on the dress. However, for heavier or embellished garments, such as those with beads or weighty fabrics, we utilize stronger, more durable zippers with metal teeth to provide structural support.
What are 3 qualities every female entrepreneur needs to have?
Tough skin. Resilience. Faith.
