Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Hunsley.
Kendra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I come from a city in South Africa called Durban. Its an amazing tropical city with beautiful beaches and people. The weather back home is like LA weather, so LA in that sense feels a bit like home. I’ve always loved learning about new cultures and travel is something that I always hoped I’d do. After graduating from university, I hopped on a plane to South Korea. I lived and worked in Asia for about two years as an ESL teacher. It was a rewarding and life-changing experience that I will never forget.
Living in a homogenous country, especially as a Black person comes with its own challenges but I am so grateful that I was in space to educate others about Africa and my culture as well as learn about other cultures outside of my own. I got to travel around Asia and meet people from all around the world whom I call my friends today. After my time in South Korea was done, I went home to South Africa in the hopes of settling down and starting my career, but that travel bug wouldn’t leave me alone.
I then spent a year in New York working as an aupair last year now which was literally a dream come true as I’ve always wanted to live there. Now I live in Los Angeles, also another place I ‘ve always wanted to experience. During my studies and travels, I continued to blog and work as a freelance fashion writer. I write for fashion publications back home and am in the process of relaunching my website fashion and lifestyle blog, Kotton&Silk.
Fashion has always played a big role in my life, and I cannot wait to grow and solidify my place in the industry. My life, especially in the past four years, has been nothing short of a whirlwind. I lived on two continents, changed jobs and had life-altering experiences. I am so grateful to have and continue to live life to the fullest, and I am excited about what is yet to come!
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?
The road was not smooth at all. Being away from home for such a long time is hard. I have missed a lot of birthdays, celebrations and just good old family time. Seeing my family together is always hard for me because I really miss them. I have four younger siblings that are growing up and are developing into young adults, and it is difficult not being there to experience all of it.
When I first moved to South Korea, I remember being so out of my depth. It was my first time moving away from home, let alone to another country. I experienced culture shock and tasks as simple as grocery store runs turned into full-on missions. There were and continue to be many hurdles, but I have learned a great deal from them, and it has made me the courageous, solution-based, independent person that I am today. I would not trade my experiences for anything.
Kotton&Silk – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I run a fashion and lifestyle blog called Kotton&Silk. It started out as an outlet for me to showcase my style and love for fashion. I’ve always been enamored by high low fashion. Pairing a plain white Tee with a pair of designer heels, hence the ‘Cotton’ and ‘Silk’ reference.
My mom worked in fashion retail and always bought me the latest fashions, so I was always exposed to trends. Since its inception, I have been in a denim campaign for a South African fashion retailer alongside the biggest influencers and fashion enthusiasts in South Africa, and I’ve been featured in online South African publications as well such as MelenialMag and Superbalist.
I also work as a fashion contributor for a female-led online publication. I am passionate about fashion passed the clothing and trends, I care about the industry and what it stands for. I am passionate about uplifting local designers and doing my part to improve the industry.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Being chosen to be part of a campaign by one of the biggest fashion retailers in South Africa has definitely been a highlight. I was amongst people who I was and still am so inspired by, people who are doing big and great things in the industry.
My images were in store windows nationwide, and I remember working part-time at the mall and walking passed the window and seeing my picture. It was absolutely cool.
Contact Info:
- Website: kottonandsilk.com
- Instagram: @kendrahunsley
- Twitter: @kendrahunsley
Image Credit:
@everydaypeoplestories
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