Let me introduce myself! Hi! I'm Kela Norman! Born Lakeita
Kathleen Johnson May 6,1979 in New Orleans,LA. I am a mother of four children a 10 year old daughter and three boys ages 8,4, and 3! Fashion is truly my passion and I treat it as ART and not just things to make or wear. My love for fashion begin as early as 4 years old when I was able to be creative in Pre-K by drawing ladies and coloring their dresses with designs! Shoes,earrings,handbags and hair accessories would also be added to the drawing! At 9 years old I handmade my first skirt using plaid material and elastic in the waistband! I remember being so excited and loving every moment of the 4H project!
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| Kela Norman |
So in 2004 at the age of 25, I entered the Fashion Design program at Bauder College. I must say it was rather challenging working full-time, going to school full- time, raising two small children, in addition to helping to raise my teenage nieces and sister! It was at Bauder that I learned to make clothing and the accessories came as an extra gift! I literally learned overnight how to make pieces! The accessories were unique and stylish! My professors and fellow students were big supporters of my designs! I did my best in school but due to a car accident in the Summer of 05 I was unable to complete the Fashion design program! :( However, that did not stop my grind! In October of 2005 while working for a Collections agency I met Denocka Wardrick the Creator of H.E.M.P HOP Magazine. At the time I had already been hosting and co-producing TV for Makadonia TV productions with Makhronico for his show on Channel 24 People TV in Atlanta. Even though I had not obtained a degree, I continued networking to spread the word about my company! After having two more children on 2007 (Caleb) and 2008 (Jermurray), and getting married 6/07, I put my grind in full force ,started a website (Exclusively Kela),and am currently building a Fashion empire!
*How would I define my city's fashion?
Bold,colorful,stylish, a melting pot just as the city of New Orleans used to be described.
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| Kikeara Image Group Photagraphy Exclusively Kela Accessories |
*What are some of my accomplishments as a designer?
Product placement in Controversy Boutique and Vitesse exchange. In 2010 Nominated as Best Accessory Designer in Atlanta,Creating my own website, and online store. KeKe Wyatt wore a pair of my earrings for her album cover. I have done Magazine editing, photo shoots, and produced my own local TV show in ATL.
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| KeKe Wyatt Rocking Exclusively Kela Earrings |
*Who are some of my favorite designers?
Roberto Cavalli, Vera Wang, Alexander McQueen, Coco Chanel
*What do I believe makes a quality article of clothing? Fit and the life of the garment. If it can last past 3 washings and still look great after years, that makes it high quality to me.
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| Kikeara Image Group Photography Exclusively Kela Earrings |
*Do I consider myself an artist?Yes. I believe fashion is ART and can be used as an outlet for the expression of ARTISTIC Minds!
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| Kikeara Image Group Photography Exclusively Kela Earrings |
*What are some of my fashion goals?
My main goal is to increase the popularity of my product by branding the name and increasing my profit share. I also want to expand my territory of my blog as well as my product. Becoming a household name and keeping the world fly is what I feel like I was born to do!
*What do I like best about designing clothes?
I like being able to add my own flavor to different styles of clothing that I like. I also like to reconstruct pieces and add my signature classy/street style to it!
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| www.exclusivelykela.com |
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| Me an my 1st fashion show @ 12 Hotel in Atlanta 2006 |
Sewing! Sometimes when my energy is low or I'm in a bad mood, it effects my sewing and operation of the sewing machine.
*Where do I get my inspiration? I get my inspiration from nature,movies,videos,people,art,magazines, etc.. I can put pieces together instantly! When shopping for pieces to make jewelry I sometimes know instantly what I am going to create.
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| Exclusively Kela |
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| www.exclusivelykela.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.com |
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| My work as a stylist with Surfaces Exposure Photography |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| My work as a Fashion Stylist/Editor for H.E.M.P Hop Magazine |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| www.exclusivelykela.bigcartel.com |
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| Surfaces Exposure and Exclusively Kela my work as a stylist |
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| my work as a stylist |
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| My work as a stylist with Kikeara Image Group www.kikeara.com |
Facebook/KelaNorman
Twitter: @KelaNorman @ExclusivelyKela
