Today we’d like to introduce you to Iris Means
Hi Iris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started off as a healthcare professional and always had a desire to help others .in 2014 I started selling ready wear for children using my four-year-old as my muse . My first brand was kidshawcouture. I sold lots of baby clothes, baby dresses and just the cutest baby couture outfits ever . I move to Minneapolis in 2014. I started selling dresses out of my bathroom then that grew to me becoming A full time
stylist . In 2017 i created my own fashion brand called Queen Slay clothing . The same year I started Queenslay clothing. I opened up a small boutique in Northtown mall on the weekends while working at the mall i was invited to New York in 2018 to do a yacht party in Manhattan, which turned out to be my first fashion show which grew into me having over 12 fashion shows in New York City since 8 aboard the harbor lights yacht . I have had the pleasure to work with over 200 models in New York City since 2018. During Covid my passion for fashion drove me to become a self taught seamstress and now runway designer . I started sewing making face mask out of old designer bags . Now I can make custom prom dresses custom prom suits, mommy and me set and just about anything you want custom or tayloyed . I started doing fashion shows in Minnesota in october 2022
and now I am a full-time runway, stylist, and designer . I can make couture pieces streetwear I have ready wear children’s clothes prom dresses and i can alter and make wedding dresses as well as make custom tailor suits
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?
The road to be becoming a fashion designer has not been easy for me at all. .I am self taught self employed and dont come from a family with money so i had to figure out a lot of things on my own. financially its been a struggle to maintain a family have a home and run and fund a small buiness as a single parent.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently known for making beautiful prom dresses altering clothing and showcasing my One of the kind pieces in fashion shows in Chicago new york and Minnesota . I recently had the pleasure of serving as a board member for African Fashion Week Mn . I was also a designer for the organization as well and we hosted our own fashion week in September . My new children clothing collection called “dedicated by slay “. was featured on WCCO CBS news in September and we had a show at the state fair with the children models in the culture destinations boutique building. I am most proud of my family the recent work i did with AfWmn and my new children’s line . I have been working with organizations helping communities and providing a platform for creators and artist that bring value to our neighborhoods . What sets me apart from others not only do I make clothing I offer support in the form of retail therapy . I connect with my customers, and I offered them services beyond sewing . I also believe when you look good, you feel good so i teach self care also
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
To be honest i dont consider good or bad luck playing a role in my life or buisness. I was so determined focused and dedicated to studying and.becoming a designer that i wasnt going to let anything stop me. My belief in God prayer hard work and stayjng humbled played A major role in my life and business . I had Faith that if I ask, I shall receive so there wasn’t a day that went past i didnt pray that I would become who I am today .
Pricing:
- sewing lessons 50$ hour 2hour minimum
- custom dresses start $250 and up Range depending on customization
- on the spot alteration start $50 per hour
- consultation fee is $50 per hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.africanfashionweekmn.com
- Instagram: queenslay_clothing
- Facebook: iris slay
- Youtube: queen slay clothing
