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How did K.Lorayne Apparel come into fruition?

I’ve always had a knack for sewing both my great-grandmother and grandmother were sewers, and I fell in love with the creativity behind designing and making clothes, however, it wasn’t until attending Michigan State University where I was stopped and asked to make custom garments for my friends and classmates that I realized that I could turn my passion into a business.  

Who is the person behind the K.Lorayne Apparel brand?

Krystle”K.Lo”McKay, I started K.Loryane Apparel back when I was in college as a way to explore my passion. Years of dedication, hard work, and perseverance have led me to be the woman I am today, and I hope to inspire other young Black women to explore their passions and follow their dreams, even when it seems like the world is against them. 

What is the inspiration behind K.Lorayne Apparel and how does it differentiate from other brands that are in the same lane?

I was inspired by the women around me. Many of my friends and family members including myself noticed that there was a lack of clothing options that fit our various body shapes. Clothes were either too tight, too short, or forced us to hide our figures. I created KLo Apparel because I believe that women should be comfortable in the skin they are in. KLo Apparel is a simplistic street-style brand that offers luxury basics that accentuates our natural curves and allows us to be comfortable and confident in what we are wearing. By mixing simplicity with the bonus of our signature logo we created a streetwear brand that caters to a woman’s softer side. 

What has been the hardest thing you have experienced as a fashion clothing brand?

Finding funding to effectively scale the brand, as a small business owner it is hard to find companies that align with our brand’s missions, or companies that are interested in funding small businesses. 

As a clothing brand with so much competition, how does K.Lorayne Apparel stay true to themselves and stay consistent?

We focus on our customer’s wants vs what the trends are.

Do you feel pressure and frustration when it comes to fast fashion that copies your designs?

Yes, being a small brand and competing with fast fashion and “copycats” can get extremely frustrating. As a small business, we don’t have the capital or the luxury to keep up with over-turn demand like fast fashion companies do. However, we try not to compare ourselves to these companies and instead, we continue to focus on what our community and customers want and provided them with garments that will last a life-time. 

Photo Credits: K.Lorayne Apparel