Rising Stars: Meet Kevin Coleman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Coleman.

Hi Kevin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a self-taught fashion designer based in LA. Design for me started in college at Rutgers University. Since I was young I always had sewing machines laying around the house. My grandmother worked in fashion production and my mother use to make her own clothes.

So when I first started university a sewing machine was one of the things I packed along with my clothes. I never intend to be a fashion designer until I found myself lost not knowing what I wanted to do in college. It dawned on me that fashion was always something that I took pride in. I was interning for fashion stylist George Cortina my junior year (2016)and decided to just start making my own clothes. One day I went into a thrift store. Saw a bunch of vintage jackets. There was about 50 of the same jackets, all different sizes at $2 each. I cleared the rack, took them home and reworked them with my little knowledge of sewing at the time. I did a photoshoot with some friends and boom, I was able to get the garments to some of my favorite r&b singers at the time. The positive feedback pushed me to further my knowledge of clothing construction and I started to create patterns and garments from scratch. I moved to LA with a close friend about two years ago on a two-week notice. I gave up everything I knew to start over and pursue my dreams. My time in LA has been great. I have a lot of great mentors and people who helped me navigate the way. While I’m LA, I previously worked under fashion designer Greg Lauren who was a great mentor and helped me see the ins and outs of the business. I thank everyone who has gotten me to this point but the best is yet to come. I promise. 2023 I founded a brand with my best friend Arinze Umenyiora and we have something special in store. We have been cooking up for months and I’m excited to show you what we have in store.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been easy. Juggling my personal life, work and my goals with fashion. But I can thank my family and friends for the constant support and encouragement.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a technical designer specializing in menswear. A lot of the pieces I make are unisex. I am very innovative in my design approach.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can support me by following my journey and reaching out to me via Instagram @bykevincoleman.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: bykevincoleman