Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ki Harris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I started my business to serve my local queer community. I am a resource for folks who may not feel comfortable with or fully seen by a traditional tailor. I prioritize gender nonconforming folks intentionally to create a space for people with very specific and sometimes personal fit challenges to get their needs met without fear of judgment. I will always prioritize these folks over the general public. As a Black, queer, masculine-of-center woman, I know that our community—especially—faces unique challenges when it comes to clothing and expressing one’s self through style. These are challenges a traditional tailor might not understand or care to help with, so I became the resource I needed as a young queer woman finding my personal identity. I use SwankKi Tailor & Threads as an umbrella term that encompasses the three facets of my brand: tailor (alterations), threads (styling & custom) and thrift (contemporary & vintage). The SwankKi trifecta is my attempt to fill a hole in our community by blending my education and skills with my vested interest in sustainability and natural affinity for style. It is my mission to provide a lifestyle brand and service that celebrates and encapsulates the extraordinary ways we adorn our bodies to express ourselves.

Ki, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am affectionately known as Ki, and consider myself the 🔑 to SwankKi Boutique, a small creative studio located in central Austin, Texas. My ever-expanding skill set as a stylist, tailor and designer has positioned me as a one-stop shop and resource for my local queer community. I feel pride especially serving those who identify as gender diverse, non-binary, gender-fluid, gender-nonconforming and/or LGBTQ+. My portfolio includes everything from custom designed wedding garb, to sourcing and upcycling vintage threads and tailoring ready-to-wear clothing to fit the unique needs and bodies of queer folks.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Once upon a time, I wholeheartedly believed I wasn’t creative. The first step in becoming SwankKi was reclaiming my creativity. Prior to this, I held the limiting belief that you were either born creative or you weren’t. It never occurred to me that creativity could be cultivated. I had to interrogate myself – was I not creative or had I never allowed myself to be?

Have you ever had to pivot?

It’s clear to me now that I’m exactly where I’m suppose to be, but it wasn’t always clear what my path would be. College was always a part of the plan though. I was certain I had chosen the wrong major after my first year, but I stuck it out because 1) I wasn’t about to waste the time and money I had already invested and 2) I trusted myself to figure my life out post-grad regardless of my major. My first job after college was in sales, not because I was interested in selling anything, but because I had no idea what I wanted to do, and I knew developing a transferable skill like sales was something that would serve me down the road. In my position, I worked closely with small business owners and entrepreneurs helping to bring their visions to fruition. It’s funny how in life, even if you don’t know exactly what to do next, the important thing is that you just keep moving forward. The right path will eventually reveal itself. Those entrepreneurs inspired me to think about what I could create for myself, and what I could do to not only fulfill myself, but also to fill a hole in my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: swankki.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swank.ki
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiara-harris-swankki
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@swankki
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/swank_ki https://www.tiktok.com/@swankki https://www.patreon.com/SwankKi

Image Credits
Torry Sledge | @the_quantum_lotus Madison Dee| @madison._.dee Farid | @faridzphoto Aarti | @_aartiphotography_ Nathelie | @shots_x_nathelie