Today we’d like to introduce you to Keyda Austin
Hi Keyda, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always had a penchant for looking put together. My mother (Velinda Marie-the namesake Linda Rie within my platform is an ode to her) allowed me to have creative reign with my image and style identity from a young age. My grandmother states that she is the genetic influence. She is a graceful matriarch and a diva in her own right. My brother taught me how to pair my clothes, to make it appear as if I had more outfits than I actually did, hence modern-day restyling. I am convinced that the majority of creatively stylish individuals in their own lane, have some sort of influence traced back to family or childhood.
I was raised in a military family. Sometimes that meant multiple schools in different states/coasts/countries all in one year. I utilized magazines and what I saw on soul train as inspiration. I also got global exposure as a result of my father’s occupation. Those Europe style stories are for another day, so let me make it brief. I would take trains in middle school into non-English-speaking towns to set the trends or hop on them early and provide excess pieces to peers on the military base. There were no cell phones tracking location or Google Translate; my German partners through an exchange program helped me navigate any language barriers beyond my fluency and provided the logistics of where to find certain pieces and navigate in and out seamlessly back to the base. During my junior year of high school, I enrolled at a new school; no one dressed like me. Mind you, that was during a time of no social media; about two weeks later, I had to do a double take. A plethora of girls were dressed like me when I arrived to school one morning. I began loaning out clothes for classmates to borrow or advising them on what to wear to certain events. I was the free “rent the runway” before there was one. I don’t advise lending personal pieces; that is just further testament to my influence.
During my adult life, I have always been a style resource, personal shopper, frequently complimented on my style choices, in addition to styling independently. I would go back and forth with myself on presenting such on a wider scale because I felt it came too effortless for me. I have always been able to quickly compile a look for myself or someone else and it’s deemed a hit. Through revelation and awareness during the pandemic, I began to look at it through a different lens as a gift I have, and purpose is to show up for the world through my gifts and began to build out my platform. I like to see children, women and men come alive and grow in confidence via image consulting and fashion style.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every purposeful journey is not exempt from struggle. For me, it comes down to learning experiences. When I initially took the leap to put myself out there, my mindset was that real life validation will easily translate to online and that’s not true. Garnering an online presence via social media comes with establishing a personal brand, community, others choosing who they support or lack thereof and algorithmic recommendation. It’s not always who is best but who is liked most or on the favorable side of the algorithm. Not everyone wants to see you win or will give you your flowers for inspiring them. It takes confidence which, was instilled in me at young age. a desire to keep going and knowing who you are, to not get wrapped up in approval addiction. I take the aforementioned as a challenge to rise to consistency and greater planning. Strategy is key regarding such and to use my outward voice going forward to keep pace within an evolving landscape. I believe that’s where the breakthrough will come in that regard. I’m also on a path of building my own table which, will be navigated differently obstacle wise in order to scale my brand. I deem myself a hidden gem as of now. I am thankful for those who genuinely see me and my art for what it is. A support system is key while building upon existing community. Location also plays a part, in order to fully optimize opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My path is continuously evolving. I am a multifaceted style creative. It’s hard to place me in one single category. For now, I am proud of getting started and still having my foot on the gas. I haven’t taken myself out of the race towards purpose; that’s worth celebrating. I don’t dress for the internet and prioritize what looks good in real life. The looks that I share are functional and have been worn offline in various facets. I do my community no justice standing in a corner or closet majority of the time online getting ready to go nowhere. My style is versatile with an artistic approach to it which, sets me apart. I take pride in my art. I have originality, core style, been about it and in my own lane. I am also creative with a keen eye for fashion.
Providing a blueprint for the fabulously minded woman who also may be first generation everything regarding certain exposures in life is imperative. Fostering a more elevated approach is key, as the goal is highest self for women within my community. When one is working towards their highest self, so many levels are unlocked. It’s more than just a look for the next level woman. There’s grooming, image, aura, poise, confidence and mindset amongst many other things depending on the individual. At the end of the day, authenticity is key in showing up confidently and well dressed in life. People are shocked when I tell them I am not in the fashion industry full time as a stylist, designer, director or the like. Design, upcycling, modeling, clothing services, consulting, set design, celebrity or tv styling to name a few seamlessly fit within my abilities.
I am also a financier and boy mom. That brings about a different experience that benefits my brand. The former has placed me in rooms that many have not been called to-hence widening my exposure in various facets. It has been a pleasure dressing my son who has always been complimented on what he wears; that has been a segue to me taking on men’s styling and having a greater awareness of the men within my community who prioritize their image and dressing well.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I don’t define success by how society defines it. That brings about an unnecessary comparison game because most don’t understand that success is personal and subjective. Success is the process of taking risks, getting outside comfort zones and pursuing to obtain what one desires or thinks they deserve in life. For me it is not a destination, but a direction achieved in perfect timing. We all have different paths, detours and experiences that shape when and how we achieve our own level of success. As a mother, success for me goes beyond obtaining financial freedom by doing what I love and am good at, career elevation, making a contribution to humanity and seeing the brand manifest I want to make sure I have had a positive impact on my son and raised him well which subsequently unfolds the design of his life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lindarie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keydaaustin/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/keydaaustin
Image Credits
Breonna T. Collier (personal photo and floral headpiece images)
Liam Pierson (all other images, excluding elevator image)
