Community Highlights: Meet Kamili Lumar of For The Curvy LA Girl by Kilana Brand

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kamili Lumar.

Hi Kamili, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I’ve always been into fashion from as far back as I can remember. As a kid, I was always so shy & quiet, but underneath that introverted personality, I was outgoing, super imaginative, and creative. Over the years my fashion/ creativity has always been a way to express those qualities about myself that I otherwise would be too shy to communicate verbally. Becoming a fashion designer kind of was birth through divine intervention. The entrepreneur/hustle mentality is something that’s been in my spirit from the beginning. In school, I was the kid who sold candy, washed cars on the weekends, and embellished jeans and customized T-shirts with puff paints during the summer. However, the ability to sew part kind of just came by chance. One year, on my birthday, I had the hardest time finding a birthday dress. I randomly asked my mom how to use her sewing machine. After a few failed attempts, I had the basics down. I declared that I would make my own birthday dress, and I did. From there, I started making outfits for my family and friends. I had unconsciously been using my loved ones as walking billboards, and slowly but surely, people started inquiring about my clothing, and that’s sort of how my brand was born.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As an entrepreneur, of course, I’ve experienced obstacles along the way. Whether it’s been losing out on money collaborating with manufacturers to bring a design to life that didn’t translate successfully or experimenting with different advertising strategies. Loses & Wins are a part of the life journey in general. Perspective is imperative; as long as you learn and grow from each hurdle presented to you in this life, it’s a win, in my opinion. It’s all about taking risks; how do you know you won’t succeed if you never even try? 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
For The Curvy LA Girl by Kilana Brand is a Los Angeles-based brand of custom handmade clothing & accessories. I created my brand to give plus-size women like myself the ability to find timeless, one-of-a-kind pieces. Being that my brand is a representation of my own expression that sets it apart from others. I’m eclectic by nature, so my sense of style is definitely subjective. However, my brand has connected me with my tribe of the girls that GET IT and that’s what I’m most proud of. 

What makes you happy?
I find happiness in the simple pleasures of life. Beautiful things make me happy. Having ideas in my mind and bringing them to life through my creativity. The way clothes drapes on bodies, listening to music, meaningful and silly conversations with friends. Flowers, traveling palm trees, watching the waves roll in on the beach, a sunset full of colors. Interacting with people in the world. I could go on and on as You can see 

Contact Info:

• Website: Forthecurvylagirl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forthecurvylagirl
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KilanaBrand
• Other: https://pin.it/1h04CLhh3