Life & Work with Christian Kyle

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Kyle.

Hi Christian, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m 21 years old currently based in Los Angeles California as a Dancer, Stylist, Creative Director, & Choreographer originated from the DMV area. Honestly, very early on in my life I didn’t see myself settling for anything less than being a star. My personality was far too big to feel complacent or comfortable and I was always looking for new ways to discover myself and the art around me. Prior to dancing, my dream was to actually sing and I used every opportunity in my life to do so. From things as small as doing the dishes to family performances & talent shows. It wasn’t until High School Musical & Camp Rock made appearances in my life for me to tell myself I had to do it all! Although, I didn’t actually take a leap of faith into training in dance until high school. There was a portion in my life where I had to break the idea of certain crafts being too “feminine” for me to pursue because of the environment around me and that took until the age 16 for me to start venturing into everything I saw myself doing. Opening that door for myself, and with the help of many loved ones around that time lead me into finally stepping into who I have always wanted to be.

I started training outside of school with Raw Element Dance Company and as time passed I joined Future Shock DC, Capital Funk, & Laura Edwards Dance Company. The DMV Dance community had introduced me into a world I could never see myself leaving because it brought so much warmth to my heart to know it’s given me confidence, love, and most importantly family. The community itself had never asked for less of me, I felt accepted, seen, and praised for qualities I was too scared to share with the world and ever since then I feel like there was no stopping me. The more I stepped into myself I found many more ways to express who I was which eventually lead me into fashion in which most of my inspiration is drawn from the Y2K era. I started dressing as who I wanted people to see me as, a Bad Bitch and with that came the many expectations I had for myself. With that drive and motivation, it took me all the way here where I am today. In Los Angeles shooting for the stars in hopes I get to fulfill my life with creativity. Although the Industry’s I part take in can feel intimidating and scary, It’s worth every second and I’m beyond grateful to live this life.

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?
My path has been nothing short of a rocky road, nonetheless I wouldn’t have changed it for anything as it’s taught me everything I know now. I was raised by my beautiful mother along with my four other siblings in that household, as I also have three more on my dad’s side who I was happily able to be a part of their life. I can spare the logistics of what that was like but know it was never easy but my mom always made it look so. Having my mother be the main figure in my life and being able to witness her hard work to make sure my family had everything they needed was the fuel to my fire. Financial hardships leading into many other issues I may have had around my youth were hardly noticeable as my mother did her best to shy us away from the idea that we were ever struggling. She taught us to never focus on materialistic things and that love was what life should be led with and that should always be more than enough. Although that lesson tends to slip me from time to time, she never fails to remind me and for that, I am always grateful no matter the situation I’m in.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself to be an Artist with many focuses. As I said, I am a Dancer, Choreographer, Creative Director, & Stylist in which actually many of them pour into each other. I’m best known for my approach to all of these crafts but I’d like to say that the foundation of it all stems from dance and everything it’s lead me to. Not only do I have the privilege of coming from a diverse community and being educated by people who I deem as priceless, being able to connect and to relate to people from any and everywhere around the world taught me many things outside of dance but life in general and what to make of it. I’m actually on the biggest project I’ve gotten this far being in LA for a year but the movie is unreleased and I can’t share too many details, but definitely one of the proudest moments in my life as it feels very full circle with the network/channel this job is for. I can also say a proud moment would be establishing CKFILES, my business and brand in which all content is creatively directed by me. Luckily enough, I was able to collaborate with Nneka.Co to produce my first ever Visual Concept/Film this past winter which will be shared with the world in March, so be on the lookout! I think what best sets me apart from others would simply be the fact that I am me and no one else can be in my skin. I feel that everything I do is poured from love and authenticity to myself which makes it one of a kind.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success can feel immeasurable at times considering what you’re factoring in. A majority of the time I can measure it by happiness but how consistent can that feel if there are several things being out our control. Once you find focus on the things that feed the best version of yourself, you’re growing and learning at the best of your capacity and you feel content, then you must be succeeding. Money is more then necessary to have but it is not everything to life as it’s something that comes and goes often. Success to me is being surrounded by genuine love, having day to day basic necessities, and having crafted an environment in which you can only grow in.

Pricing:

• Styling $250 Per Look

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/christiankkyle
• Twitter: Twitter.com/christiankkyle 

Image Credits
Photographer: Wes Klain Stylist: Christian Kyle