Meet Kiana Jyels of The Skinny Shop

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana Jyels.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kiana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
At first, modeling was my top priority but as I got older, it shifted. I first started because I found a baby portfolio of me when I use to model. Seeing those made me want to start again when I was in high school. I had no idea on how to get back in I started reaching out to local photographers so I could get some professional photos of myself. I was doing at least two photoshoots a month.

Eventually, I started posting those on my Instagram page @kianathemodel and following companies. What I’ve been doing for the last three years is emailing and dming companies if they are looking for models, send some images and my measurements. Now bigger more well-known companies reach put to me and that’s how I get more popular as far as social media. I would email at least three companies a day and I still do the same. The past year or so I’ve been getting booked at least twice a week doing photoshoots and runway. I use to think I needed to be signed with an agency for work but I have booked New York Fashion Week, Miami Swim Week and the official La Fashion Week show all on my own. I do eventually want to get signed so I can work with high-end companies, maybe I will consider going to modeling agencies this year. I am happy with where I am now, it’s all about hard work and determination. I started drifting off a tad bit and started my clothing company The Skinny Shop @theskinnyshop. It was hard, I have to say because I wasn’t thinking big enough and logical. I was scattered instead of focusing on a few items. Once I started looking into what was trending it became easier. I learned how to market correctly and tweak popular items into my own.

Right now, I have an item that sells out within a few days of release its excellent side money. I am really focused on my business right now I have business cards, models, campaigns, etc. The Skinny Shop isn’t greatly popular yet but its enough in the meantime and I am happy. I can’t wait till it gets bigger so I can start making more clothes and have other items. I might design a few things here and there but my top seller item is my focus, So far I have made $2100 within a year and a few months and have had 200+ customers. I want to venture out and do other things with my life that’s why I am in school I finish and get my degree in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising this year. I love fashion and want to be both in front and behind the camera. Speaking of in front of the camera I have a YouTube channel that’s all about fashion and skincare reviews,

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It definitely was not a smooth road and still isn’t. As far as my business it was a struggle because I wasn’t sure what everyone liked. I was making clothes from scratch, I was born to sew! I was only looking through my perspective and what I liked but I eventually learned I needed to cater to others. At first, sales were horrible so I switched up the style. When sales started to get good (like now) it is still overwhelming because I do everything on my own and it gets exhausting but at the same time I love having a business. School and work also interfere a lot but I learned to prioritize my time. As far as modeling, it has definitely been a struggle. Stepping my foot in I had no idea about anything. There have been some people like my photographers who informed and push me to get to where I’m at but I’ve mostly learned on my own and I’m still learning. Runway which is my favorite can be hard because I’m 5’7-5’8 and most runway models are 5’9+ but I still get casted a good amount of times. Auditions can be hectic because there are so many other gorgeous women there and it’s impossible for everyone to get selected but you just have to keep pushing, trying hard and praying and you will get booked a lot.

Also sometimes auditions can be over an hour away and depending where you are and what time, traffic is horrible. Sometimes the castings are fast so you can drive over an hour away for a casting that was 5 minutes and you didn’t get selected so you go back in your car and drive another hour to go home. Some other challenges are dealing with other people’s comments/dms about you. I learned to ignore rude people when it comes to my modeling and business because feeding into it won’t do you any better. One challenge I use to have with photoshoots in the beginning was not liking my pictures but it only pushed me further to figure out what I’m doing wrong and step up my game. The last couple of challenges I can think of is doing free (TFP) gigs. A lot of people hate these because you don’t get any money just the gig, pictures and promotion. But honestly, all the free gigs I’ve done led to bigger opportunities as far as companies, bigger shows, bigger pay, etc. There are many other tiny obstacles I have been through along the way but they push us further to where we need to be in life.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Skinny Shop – what should we know?
My business @the.skinny.shop is mostly trendy clothing/items. I have huge lingerie product that sells out every time I release. All of my items are handmade. I currently hand dye and hand place rhinestones on my products to stand out so you can’t say you can get my items anywhere else. My shop is mostly women’s products but eventually when I get bigger I want to cater to men. I sold lots of dresses, sweaters and bathing suits last year. This year I’m mostly focusing on my best seller and in a few months, I want to release a line of spring/summer dresses. Starting in May I’m going to start selling bathing suits again! I’m most proud that I have done this all on my own as far as marketing concepts and designs. I package everything, make notes along with packages and keep up with inventory. I control all of the social media and website content as well. I didn’t want to be on just one platform, The Skinny Shop is also on Etsy, Depop and Poshmark. My dream is to eventually open up a small store in Los Angeles.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My top supporters who kept me going are of course my family. The companies who cast me to walk and collaborate with them have also helped to better my portfolio to get me to where I am now. The photographers I have worked with for headshots and studio shoots help the most because those are the pictures I use to go to castings. My close friends and boyfriend are wonderful supporters because they come to my shows and photoshoots. Also everyone who follows me on social media, I love getting positive dms about my business, work, school, modeling, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theskinnyshop.bigcartel.com/
• Email: jyelskiana@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kianathemodel/
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0YskZmeeNFh3Yx4rvqKcEA?view_as=subscriber

Image Credit:
The Style Animal Co, LAFW, Manny Llanura

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