Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Cunningham.
Hi Kelly, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
A What? You might ask; that is where myself as a creative was born! At the age of 17, I left Danville, VA to attend the amazing Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA. As I walked into freshmen orientation, barely 115lbs, I saw 15 females dancing with the marching band to a hip-hop classic, I WAS IN HEAVEN! I looked at my mom and said, “I want to do that!” My mom and my aunt found someone who directed me to the coordinator of this dance troop, whom later I found out was called “Hot Ice”. The coordinator looked at me and said band camp had already started and I would be behind, I reassured her she would not be disappointed if she allowed me to try out! She told me I could try out, but it would have to be tomorrow! I was required to come tomorrow with all techniques and a choreographed routine! NO SWEAT!
I spent all night along with my sister practicing and I can even remember the song I chose, “Love will make you lose Control” by Missy Elliott. Don’t judge me! Needless to say, I was granted the opportunity to join the team! I gained a sisterhood that is still alive today and that is where a creative was born!! Who would’ve thought I could combine my love for fashion and dance together? That’s what my form of modeling is. I look at the runway as my dance floor and BABY…..I leave it all on the dance floor. Returning home in 2009, something was missing. My enjoyment of life, that thing that you do that calms your nerves that eases internal pain, so something had to give. From 2009 until 2015. I battled with how can I continue to flourish in dance, in music, in fashion but do it my way while benefiting the community? And that is when Danville Fashion Week was born!!
As a little girl, I loved to dance. From the time I was four years old until I graduated high school, I attended a dance class at least once a week. I give credit to Danya Mehalko Zuniga, who knew (and still knows) how to combine the technique of dance with having fun! Her classes were loud, full of laughter, and most of my childhood friends……THAT IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN!
I learned that I don’t have to be on the dance floor all the time. As long as I can teach and connect people with opportunities or different ways for them to keep dancing, IM OK! Danville Fashion Week is a way for all Fashion individuals to connect and participate within an event that does indeed give back to the community! I struggle with am I making a difference; and when I talk to models who have worked with me they reassure me without even knowing it! I am on a journey and I do not know where this journey is taking me!
What I do know is in my past, each new opportunity was a way for this creative to be reborn! How can this help you realize that someone’s No leaves room to be someone else’s Yes and you always have a chance to become a reborn creative! At this very moment, I am living out what I dreamed. I am the owner of The Fashion Haus LLC, which is a FASHION PRODUCTION COMPANY. OUR PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON DEVELOPMENT AND EXPOSURE. WE OFFER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TO A SELECT GROUP OF MODELS. THESE SELECT GROUPS OF MODELS HAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE OWNER WITH MONTHLY COACHING, ACCOUNTABILITY CHECK-INS, GOAL SETTING, WEBSITE EXPOSURE AND PAID/UNPAID MODELING OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY ARISE. I also am the Founder and Executive Director of The Haus of Fashion Inc, which produces Danville Fashion Week.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Taking into consideration of the statistics for Black-owned Businesses and adding in that I am a proud Black female.
Some obstacles contributed to that and others were brought on by myself; self-doubt, fear of failure, etc.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I do not paint, I do not sculpt, I am not a photographer, etc so how can I consider myself a creative?
I am a creative within the spectrum of visual art. Fashion, Hair, Styling, etc. my line of work is putting individuals in rooms within this field that advances their careers. My network gains individuals different opportunities to add to their resumes that will put them on the right career path. I am most proud of my latest career move which is my Haus Models. A group of 35 members + that have trusted me to guide them in their modeling career
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
If you do not know me, I am an introvert! Once you get to know me, I love to have a good time and enjoy life. I dislike public speaking. I cry and have anxiety at the thought of it. I turn down a lot of speaking engagements just for that reason.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefashionhaus.net www.thehausoffashion.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/_thehaus_
Image Credits
Photographer- Terrance Womack & Gregory Jones
