Kailani Fountaine

In her words

Fashion has always been part of who I am.

At five years old, I was laying out my clothes for the entire week. Dressing up in costumes and trying out different styles are some of my favorite childhood memories, and my love for fashion has only grown since.

As I got older I started drawing and took as many art classes as I could, which is where I discovered how much my creative side connected with fashion. One of my most cherished memories is learning to hand-stitch with my great-grandmother — a skill I later built on when a neighbor taught me more advanced techniques for a school project.

At 13 I got my first sewing machine, and that's when everything clicked. I taught myself to make my own clothes, mostly through YouTube tutorials and a lot of trial and error. The more I sewed, the more I realized how much I loved it.

Each garment is upcycled and designed as a true one of one. Once it's gone, it will never be recreated.

More recently, I started modeling, which opened up my view of the fashion world. Modeling let me work with many designers and gain experience in marketing, design and everything that happens behind the scenes of a runway show. It's also how I built connections with so many influential designers, and I plan to keep pursuing it.

Launching my company and showing my designs at OC Fashion Week and in Fashion Republic Magazine shifted my focus to perfecting my designs and sharpening my sewing. Interning as a stylist under Danyul Brown showed me the other side of dressing people — red carpets, events and the pace of celebrity styling.

I'm so grateful for the community on Instagram (@kailani.fountaine), where I share the process of upcycling clothing and designing my own pieces. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to launch my company or have my designs featured in multiple runway shows. It's a dream come true.

I graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a BA in Fashion Merchandising and Design. Now I'm focused on growing my knowledge and my company — creating garments that are individual to every person who wears them.