Today we’d like to introduce you to Reagan Whitaker.
Reagan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, after graduating, I immediately moved to LA. I honestly didn’t know anyone but knew if I wanted to make it as a Designer, I couldn’t stay in Dallas. So, I moved 1000 miles from everyone I knew and I’ve been hustling for the last six years. I started from the bottom as an assistant designer and worked my way up through several contemporary brands. I then freelanced for a while and ended up becoming the Designer & Creative Director for a brand called Marna Ro. And although this brand is no longer around, it shaped me and taught me more than anything else in my career. It also connected me to several celebrity stylists, leading my designs to land on major industry players. Sometimes the lowest lows teach us the most. I’m now the Co-Founder and Creative Director for Kiah Collective, a content production agency. With my business partner, Taylor Mahalik we help fashion brands create high-quality imagery thats targeted for their demographic. A lot of brands have beautiful collections but don’t have the eye to create visuals that resonate with their audience, and that’s where we come in.
Great, 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?
It definitely, hasn’t been a smooth road. Any kind of creative in a big city knows the pains of trying to make it. I struggled a lot with throwing my entire identity into every brand I worked for, and a loss of identity when in between jobs. I’m a hard worker and I want to go above and beyond, but not everything is in your control. I’ve really learned a new balance, and that my identity is more than what I do. I also decided I wasn’t going to be happy until I was working on my own brand. That’s lead me here, and I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing now. I also plan to launch my own collection in the next few years.
If you’re just starting out, I can tell you there’s nothing more valuable then working for a company that asks you to wear many hats. Because of my experience at so many startups or smaller brands I’ve been able to collect a vast amount of knowledge in every aspect of fashion design & creative direction. I didn’t just learn to design, I learned the ins and outs of how to start and run my own company. Watching others mistakes and failures has taught me how to succeed. Never give up on what you love and don’t be afraid to spend a season doing something different than what you expected. It all adds up to more experience to better prepare you for whatever comes next.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I’m a fashion designer and creative director. I specialize in women’s contemporary, but also have experience designing for men’s. I’m proud of how I was able to turn Marna Ro into a success with celebrity clients, and clothes on shows like HBO’s Insecure. I’m also really proud of my tenacity to move forward in a very challenging field and I’m excited about what’s next with Kiah Collective. We’ve really created a business to cater specifically to brands who need direction and vision and are unable to do it themselves. I love that my experience and in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry allow me to help other brands.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
There’s so much you can’t control. But you can control how you let a loss define you. Refuse to believe that there is anything, but something bigger and better coming. Refuse to believe that your dreams won’t be reached. So, if you’re reading this and you feel unseen and unsure, I want to remind you, you aren’t alone. Don’t let everything you see on Instagram and the internet make you feel like others aren’t struggling too. You are not defined by where you are right now in this part of your life. This is just a small piece of it.
So, keep fighting, work harder and remember that your season is coming.
Contact Info:
- Website: kiahcollective.com / reagandwhitaker.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reaganwhitaker
Image Credit:
Images shot by @Baz, @KiahCollective, @Williamcallan, @melmassian
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