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

Hi Kiara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

On Friday, August 5th I produced, directed, and showcased my designs for the Ten’s Across the Board Fashion Show. I started working on the show end of January 2022 where the idea stemmed from the desire to put on a collaborative event while showcasing my brand She He And They. This project was so meaningful to me as my understanding for all the craziness going on in the world, I wanted to create a environment that was safe, welcoming, and fun for everyone to enjoy! I started off by getting peoples interest through social media with a flyer introducing my ideas, holding a model call, and handpicking designers! From there I held rehearsals, kept in communication with everyone, and organized details to get the show on the road! I coordinated to have the event held at San Diego Dance Headquarters, a photo-booth set up by Dancing DJ Productions, and had the band Solaris perform before the start of the show welcoming the guests to their seats and during intermission. I also had DREAMLAND the dance team perform during She He And They’s Showcase! The feature designer brands included Tha Playgrowned, Shadi by Shadi Karbasi, and UNSHOOK. Designers Cassidy Everage, Shadi Karbasi, and Nathan Ball created fantastic outstanding handmade garments that wowed the audience. Thanks to the sponsor Bookabl by Pat Long, my stage manager, Sara Solorio, the host Myla Mario, and the DJ De’Andrew Garay, these folks ultimately helped me make this event memorable!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m a trained dancer in the styles ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, modern, and tap. I have a vast amount of memorable performance experiences that include performing at Pride 2018, Legoland California Resort Entertainment shows, Sirens Dance Team, being a Lead Dancer with Brickhouse Dance Productions, and I have modeled for serval music videos! My journey in the arts has been rewarding with full of knowledge by attending the San Diego School of Creative Performing Arts (SDSCPA) and graduating as a senior with a Dance Major to now being two semesters away to graduating San Diego Mesa College with my Associates Degree in Fashion Design. Ultimately, my path has followed in the entertainment industry that had led me to where I am at today. While attending SDSCPA, my senior year, a fashion club sparked my interest in designing and sewing clothes. I had no prior experience which really fueled my drive and passion for fashion! Before I graduated high school, I put together my very first fashion show at my school which included two other designers and their up-cycled garments. I wanted to explore the challenge in creating my own pieces and ended up making eight handmade garments from scratch that was showcased on a school cement “runway” with performances by dancers and musicians! Looking back, I didn’t know what I was doing I just knew I wanted to try my best in helping make this event possible. I’m so grateful for that experience as it prepared me for three years later when I completed the Ten’s Across the Board Fashion Show. After I graduated from high school, I ended up studying Dance at California Institute of the Arts but then later realized during the pandemic, my heart still yearns to learn and create more art with fashion design. I then transferred to San Diego Mesa College to obtain my degree in Fashion. During that time, I was experimenting with creating different garments with recycled fabrics and created my brand She He And They, all inclusive wear for everyone! Growing up in a diverse community of different ethnicities, sexualities, and backgrounds it’s always been my goal to include everyone hence why I wanted my own brand to stay true to that belief. My main goal is to create garments and fashionable streetwear for any size, gender, and ethnic background! In the fashion industry, a lot of materials and fabrics are being thrown away in landfills that are considered trash. The economy has been effected due to clothes not being handled properly based on consumers not recycling these materials that can be reused if handled with care. I create streetwear garments with vintage, used, and second hand fabrics to reduce my own contribution with my clothing brand towards this worldly issue. I hope to inspire others with my encouragement to shop at thrift stores for clothes to bring more awareness of humanity’s overall contribution to the pollution of the planet.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

In my view, society can participate in recycling their consumption of objects. Besides recycling clothes, we can recycle bottles, furniture, Tupperware, plastic products, and glass products. Our ecosystem is increasingly deteriorating due to humans non stop use of production with plastics. These days, most clothes are made with chemicals to enhance their lifespan, which means these materials take more time to go through the process of biodegradation. Unfortunately, products that harm the worlds environment is still being produced constantly in order to support our worlds living habits, though if society works on spreading awareness to be more mindful of what we throw away and reconsider what we put in the trash, more thoughtful ideas and people can be pushed throughout time. It’s time we contribute to a better change. Personally, I choose to limit my products and support farmers market business that are environmentally friendly, I also recycle bottles with my family, and shop at local thrift stores to continue the cycle of recycling in my life. That is why I choose to work with pieces of fabric that some may be seen as trash and turn it into treasure that is now wearable art!

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goals are to help create a better environment in my creative journey! I’m still on a path towards educating myself and helping providing knowledge to others to the best of my ability. It takes a village in order to make a change so I hope to inspire others. I also love giving people a platform to express themselves. Sharing the opportunity to create fashion shows allowing those who are talented to expose their gifts is a rewarding experience. I look forward to exposing more to the community!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sheheandthey.com
• Instagram: @sheheandthey @kiara.tiana

Image Credits
Tim Ozbun Tim Perez