Today we’d like to introduce you to Kachia Lee.
Hi Kachia, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had an interest of designing and sewing when I was put into Hmong dancing at a young age. The dance costumes amazed me and inspired me to create my own designs. I started hand sewing in elementary and used a machine in middle school. My love for designing grew in high school when I was gifted a sewing machine and Hmong fabrics from my family members. From there, I started to create Hmong modern apparel and accessories.
My older sister who attended Saint Catherine University (St. Kates) in Saint Paul at the time, recommended me to apply for their Apparel design & merchandising program once I was a senior in high school. I branded myself as Kachia Lee Designs in college. I attended St. Kates from 2015-2019, graduating with a double major in Apparel Design & Fashion Merchandising with a double minor in Business Administration & Studio Art.
I went to work at Clothier Design Source soon after graduating as their Apparel Design Manager Assistant. I was then moved to become their Pre-production specialist and Technical design & sourcing assistant. I learned many information on producing your apparel line from start to finish. This encouraged me to officially launch my business Kachia Lee Designs, LLC.
Kachia Lee Design, LLC was launched in August 2020. Kachia Lee Designs provides ethical, modern and Hmong modern apparel & accessories designed, sewn and produced in Minnesota. There are various types of styled garments that are geared towards anyone to individually expressed themselves. Kachia Lee Designs mission is to prolong and express the Hmong culture with a modern twist.
I officially left Clothier Design Source in April 2021 to pursue higher education. Currently, I am attending University of Minnesota studying my Master’s in Apparel Studies. My focus is the Dress, History & Culture track to research about Hmong cultural clothing. When I am not in class, I also work as a part time Apparel Designer for a company called Satin Sitches and I also work on my business Kachia Lee Designs.
My goals are to continue growing my business but to also continue my education to become a professor to help students strive for their own passion in the fashion industry, I would also like give back to the community by providing scholarships, programs and opportunities for those who seek help.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were definitely some struggles along the way.
I was doing tons of fashion shows to promote myself as a designer during college up to right when the pandemic was starting. The stress of designing for shows and getting ready for shows made me feel unhappy. I became worried about finishing designs for a due date rather than loving the design and the process. I lost my way and become neglectful to myself. I stopped caring for myself, got sick and had to pull many all-nighters to get designs done. I focused so much in promoting myself, that I did not realize that it was taking a toll on me. I then realized that I needed to take a break from doing shows to focus on building my brand and self-care.
A struggle that hit me really hard was the pandemic. After I decided to stop doing shows, I focused on my business. I launched Kachia Lee Designs during the pandemic. It was a plan to launch in the beginning of 2020, but the pandemic pushed my launch date to the end of 2020 due to covid-19, social distancing, unable to get photoshoots, materials & shipping delays, etc. But for the year of 2020 & 2021. I was amazed by the many people supporting my business.
Another struggle was the transition of working full time to attending school full time. It has been a hard process on getting back into the school setting. Not only figuring out a school and homework schedule, but to also fit in a work schedule for my business and job, as well as trying to fit in some time for self-care and family all while happening in the current pandemic situation. It may be hard at times for me to do homework when I want to design or vice-versa, but so far, I have been managing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an apparel designer. I design Hmong modern apparel and accessories as well as non-Hmong apparel. I like to design various styles such as athleisure, ready to wear, swimwear, dancewear, couture, and even baby apparel. I am more known for my Hmong modern designs. I was 18 when I launched my first Hmong modern collection. From then, I launched various Hmong modern collections. I am most proud of my senior collection that I created for my last apparel design class for college. I think what made me most proud of it was the time I allowed myself to really research styles, trends and Hmong cultural clothing to create this collection. I worked on the collection for two semesters, got the chance to travel to Europe for a study abroad course to source materials and had many feedback & advice I got from my professor and peers.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My family is a big supporter of my career & goals. At first, my parents were skeptical of my choice of career path, but they realized the amount of work I put into my designs, that they have been supporting me since! My siblings and cousins are very supportive. They are always there to give me feedback, model, do hair and makeup, attend my shows, share my work and purchase items from my business.
I have a lot of support from my professors from St Catherine University. I have a very great relationship with all my professors during my time as an undergraduate student. They go out of their way to help you! I still reach out to them to this day for advice on designs, career, mentoring and research. They are willing to write recommendation letters or be a reference.
Lastly, my biggest supporter is my significant other. He has been through everything with me! Those all-nighters I pulled, he has been awake with me through it all. He attends all of my shows and pop up shops. He helped me launch my business. He does not hesitate to offer help. I am very grateful to have him in my life.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@kachialeedesigns
- Website: Kachialeedesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kachialeedesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KachiaLeeDesigns
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrZi0ZyZUrvlzoL-7O5cHGA
