Today we’d like to introduce you to Kela Johnson.
Kela, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Fashion is truly my passion and I treat it as ART and not just things to make or wear. My love for fashion began as early as four years old when I was able to be creative in Pre-K by drawing ladies and coloring their dresses with designs! Shoes, earrings, handbags and hair accessories would also be added to the drawing! At nine years old I handmade my first skirt using plaid material and elastic in the waistband! I remember being so excited and loving every moment of the 4H project! While in the 6th grade and always setting out to do something new, stylish, and creative, I made my first pair of denim earrings with a piece of denim fabric and a stud earring attached to it! In high school I was into shopping, doing hair, and just being as pretty as ever. My whole life all I have ever wanted to do was have a TV show providing make-overs, start my own fashion magazine, and design clothing for my upscale Boutique that I would one day open! Once I graduated from high school, I majored in Nursing, Business Management and then finally Accounting at Dillard University from 97-99. One evening at the age of 19 I was watching the SOURCE awards and Lil Kim had on this one piece outfit, At that moment I put my wish into the universe and said that “I was going to be a designer”. I wish that I could say that things went smoothly however at 22 after not completing school and transferring a few times I gave birth to my beautiful daughter Donavian! 20 months later came her little brother Donald Jr. So as one can imagine, due to the pressures of having a family I had to place my dreams on hold for just a moment to work a full-time job and raise children! While working at AT&T, I was thumbing through The Employment Guide and saw an ad for Bauder College! At that point, I decided to continue my education and finally pursue my dream of becoming a designer.
So in 2004 at the age of 25, I entered the Fashion Design program at Bauder College. I must say it was rather challenging working full-time, going to school full- time, raising two small children, in addition to helping to raise my teenage nieces and sister! It was at Bauder that I learned to make clothing and the accessories came as an extra gift! I literally learned overnight how to make pieces! The accessories were unique and stylish! My professors and fellow students were big supporters of my designs! I did my best in school but due to a car accident in the Summer of 05, I was unable to complete the Fashion design program! 🙁 However, that did not stop my grind! In October of 2005, while working for a Collections agency, I met Denocka Wardrick the Creator of H.E.M.P HOP Magazine. At the time I had already been hosting and co-producing TV for Makadonia TV productions with Makhronico for his show on Channel 24 People TV in Atlanta. Even though I had not obtained a degree, I continued networking to spread the word about my company! After having two more children in 2007 (Caleb) and 2008 (Jermurray), and getting married 6/07, I put my grind in full force, started a website www.exclusivelykela.com! Presently I’m divorced but in addition to fashion, I am making my mark in the music industry with my single “F**k My Baby Daddy” and my new released EP “Just Venting”. My goal is to incorporate my fashion and beauty skills with the music. I recently released a music video for my single and distributed my music on all streaming and downloading platforms!!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been rather bumpy for me! I have a child that has behavioral disorders so from time to time I have to take breaks to deal with his issues! Raising children and being a mother while also building an empire is the biggest challenge I’ve faced!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Exclusively Kela story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a Fashion/Accessories Designer and my specialty is my Fashion forward and innovative designs. I was nominated twice for best Accessories Designer in Atlanta!!! What sets me apart is that I’m truly a jack of all trades! I also do makeup and I’m a certified Lash Specialist!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m often blessed with amazing opportunities to do Fashion events and articles about my work like this one!! Thank you!!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.exclusivelykela.com
- Instagram: @exclusivelykela
- Facebook: Exclusively Kela
- Twitter: @exclusivelykela
Image Credit:
Snap and Shoot Photography
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