Today we’d like to introduce you to Braeden Reed Of Keeping The West Alive.
Braeden, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born and raised in Oklahoma. Only really knew that one way of life for 18 years. I knew that life wasn’t for me though. I got accepted into the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising my junior year of high school, because of that I focused and did whatever I had to do to get to Los Angeles. I knew I could do more here and as I’m sitting here now, I can honestly tell you I wouldn’t have KTWA as my story. Moving to LA was the hardest decision I ever had to make with leaving my family and the life I was so accustomed to knowing. My family taught me to work hard for what you want in life so I took that and applied it to mine. As I sit here today I am only 19 years old with a lot of life left to live but the amount that I’ve learned in the past year Of living in Los Angeles has felt like years of wisdom. I want to be successful and the truth is if you can make it in LA you can make it anywhere. It’s all on how bad you want it.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nothing in life worth having is easy. There’s always ups and downs in life, but it’s all in how you react to those situations that define you as a person. Overcoming struggle is a true testament to one’s character. Life is full of tests and only the ones who want it bad enough get through those tests in order to be successful. I’m faced with struggles everyday, but I always figure it out someway or another. My best advice is to keep going even if the light at the tunnel seems far away. Do what makes you happy, you only get one life to live as far as we know.
Please tell us about Keeping The West Alive.
My Depiction Of The West
My homage to where I came from. The Midwest raised me; Oklahoma felt like something I needed to get away from. Once I moved to California, I finally realized how important home was for me. My biggest inspiration was the work ethic of those that I encountered everyday in Oklahoma. From the Farmers to the Oil Field guys, I was moved to tell their story of hard work and dedication, through my eyes. My mother and father being my biggest inspirations, both taught me the value of hard work and respect. Through all of these experiences in my life, I have developed the narrative that speaks through the clothing in this collection.
Keeping The West Alive is just that story.
At the end of the day, I’m a 19 year old kid from Oklahoma who is a full-time student with a part-time job trying to get a legitimate brand off the ground. I could have easily done the cheapest route to make money, but it’s not about that for me. I want to make timeless garments with a purpose. I want Keeping The West Alive to stand the test of time and be worked in or used for years on end until it’s become your favorite piece. I think that’s what sets KTWA apart from a lot of other people out there. I’m doing my own storytelling through clothes that I hope someone can relate to and take pride in wearing.
The Keeping The West Alive Look Book
Titled “Midwest & Beyond” should be live by the time this is out. I flew back home and while I was back, I shot the look book twice because the first time it didn’t turn out the way I envisioned, so I spent even more money on another photographer to execute the idea in my head.
Bottom line, Keeping The West Alive is meant for anyone and everyone. The wearer tells their story when they choose to put the garment on. That’s the true beauty in it all.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The industry is always changing in my opinion. Trends come and go everyday. Fashion has become an oversaturated market and I think that could be a problem in the future. Hopefully, sustainable makes a big impact on the fashion industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: Keepingthewestalive.us
- Email: keepingthewestalive@gmail.com
- Instagram: @keepingthewestalive @justbreed
Image Credit:
Weston Kloefkorn, Instagram: Westonkloefkorn
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