The DIY Model -Kia Davis

When trying to make it in the fashion world, a model needs the right tools to get the job done; a hair stylist, make-up artist, clothing stylist, etc. Sometimes obtaining these things, along with other necessities, can get to be quite expensive. So what do you do when you’re an aspiring fashion model who is low on dough? You take after 18-year-old Kia Soraja Davis out of Cameron, NC, and do it yourself!

Home Made Shoes!

Davis isn’t the type of model to unwisely invest every penny she’s ever earned into something so unsure, especially with her decision to go to college in the coming Spring semester. A smart shopper, Davis bargain hunts in pursuit of her personal style, and sometimes finds it frustrating when what she wants is out of her budget. After researching certain items, analyzing magazines and celebrity pictures to see what makes particular fashion pieces pop, Davis makes her way to the nearest craft store, and begins the tedious process of cloning her desired accessories.

“Everything is so expensive. If I want it, and I can’t afford it, I just do it,” said Davis, “I feel that most people are name branded fashion, but for me it’s about the clothes, the way it looks and if I like it. Name brands don’t really phase me.”

While most fashionistas only bother to make their own jewelry, or to add a little flare to a dress, Davis’s creativity expands across a spectrum of looks. She not only designs and creates a number of jewelry pieces, but she has a hand at designing and sewing her own outfits as well as making her own diva-licious shoes. After spotting a pair of gorgeous Christian Louboutin silver heels on Beyonce, Davis bought a pair of $15 heels and 31,000 crystals for a rough estimate of $56 along with a few spikes. Three days later, Davis created the same $5000 shoes, but only asks for $250, a price that includes supplies and labor. 

Being the daughter to a model, Davis grew up with a flare for fashion. In fact, it’s because of her mother’s support and motivation that Davis is pushing so hard to make it in the fashion industry. She believes that her Asian background is also an influence in that she would often watch her mother alter a purchased item to fit the image she was looking for. After posting a few creative pictures on Facebook, her friends began to push her just as hard.

“My mom has always been my biggest fan,“ said Davis, “When I was little, I used to have runway shows. I’d make my mom sit and watch me model her clothes. She’d watch me walk back and forth then run and go change real quick.”

Along with her talents within the fashion industry, Davis also serves as an artist, selling portraits as well as designs. After posting some creative photos of herself on Facebook, and receiving so much positive feedback, her friends began to push her to do more modeling. Now, she is currently trying to get her name and face out there, a task in which Davis admits will not be easy.

LiL' Wayne Drawing

“There’s a lot of agencies that try to scam you,” said Davis, “I think the hardest part of any entertainment industry is to get out there. But once you’re out there, it gets easier and easier. I’ve tried going to an interview for the East coast talent search, but they wanted $1500 dollars to be in a runway show, and I’m not doing that.”

Davis, a class of ‘11 high school graduate has made fashion and cosmetology a major part of her life, and has waited until now to give it her all. She will be attending the Art institute of Charlotte for fashion and design in January in which she plans to build her name by entering to be a model for the Charlotte Fashion week. She also plans on signing up for the next America’s Next Top Model cycle

Davis says that she is determined to make it in the industry, and to have her own clothing and beauty line.