Youth Forum – Mx Kiara
Youth Forum – Mx Kiara
Written by Mx Kiara
Mx Kiara Morris (she/they) is a 20-year-old multi-disciplinary creative and one of Fashion Minority Report’s first-ever mentee’s, as part of our flagship industry mentorship and paid internship programme. Currently, they are a student at the Fashion Communications at London’s University of the Arts (UAL). Within the iconic Central Saint Martins building, they explore fashion’s diverse (and often hidden) histories.
“There are so many fashion histories we haven’t learned about yet,” Mx Kiara told the UAL earlier this year, listing examples of Renaissance-era Black creatives found through dedicated research — although they will say that it wasn’t hard to find this information. “If you don’t care enough to look, you won’t see.”
Here, they share their experiences in the fashion industry so far — as a student, as part of a mentorship program, and ensuring a bright future for more than just themselves.
Giving the unheard a voice
My name is Mx Kiara and I am a 20-year-old multi-disciplinary creative with a passion for storytelling. Many creative and professional opportunities have led me to roles as Central Saint Martin’s fashion programme Changemaker, UAL CULT Society founder, course representative, and member of student artist collective The Associates.
When I first realised I wanted to work in the creative field, I was in college on a traditionally academic path: study at Oxford, become a linguist, get a “good job”. It was only then I realised that my passion was for fashion. While at Central Saint Martins, my goal is to give the unheard a voice and build a stage for those often unseen. And I do not plan to stop there.
People of Colour in the industry are becoming increasingly visible, as illustrated by the promotions of Kenya Hunt (ELLE Editor-in-Chief) and Maximillian Davis (Salvatore Ferragamo creative director). I aim to further this progress in the future with a career in writing and creative direction. Essentially, I see myself working at a major publication to rebrand fashion’s portrayal of Blackness with more inclusive and accurate representation.
Turbulence
The journey so far has been turbulent. Alongside every high, I experience an equally impactful low. Racism is still an issue I address regularly, especially when discourse arises around decolonising university curriculums and spaces.
Unfortunately, some people just do not get it. So I took on the burden of being the person who must illustrate how damaging things like imposter syndrome can be to students like myself.
I am not alone in feeling out of place in the predominantly white spaces I frequent. While I have been able to find a community of students and academics whom I can lean on for support, this does not make isolation easier.
Luckily, I have been reminded about the power of my voice and how to use it. Alongside my mentoring schemes, I worked as project lead for PLATFORM, a zine collaboration between the fashion label Christopher Kane and FACE (Fashion Academics Creating Equality). I developed an understanding of magazine production and had my work featured in Vogue, Womens Wear Daily and Dazed. With the relationships I have developed at both FMR and FACE, I know that I can take it one step at a time, with a family of people who understand and appreciate my work.
To all the young Kiaras
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d advise them to practice patience. The world is expansive and complex, but also your oyster: take on any and every opportunity you believe you can benefit from. I would remind myself that communities are founded on trust. Trust that you will find your people, trust in the process and trust in your abilities. Learning to take criticism and work constructively from it can be hard, but is a skill that not everyone has. Running from difficult issues only makes them worse.
You were never weird, just misunderstood — so persevere, persevere, persevere. That is what I would say to all the young Kiara’s.