Listen to the full conversation between Kahlana Barfield Brown and Fashionista Associate Editor Janelle Sessoms on The Fashionista Network on Spotify.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4wD2tnhLSYVTuzw73g3vWk?si=gpGqSNwLRIS5JcNPQHc5Pw
When beauty editor-turned-designer Kahlana Barfield Brown worked in the magazine industry, she saw firsthand just how exclusive the fashion world can be. She worked on cover shoots where the talent was midsize (about size 12 to 14) or larger, and was frustrated by the lack of designer clothing options. It was those experiences that led her to come up with a solution to address this clear need for trendy, size-inclusive clothes.
“I knew that one day I wanted to start a clothing brand because I felt like there was a white space,” she told Fashionista. “I can’t count how many times I was on set…and I would see sizes that said it was a 12, but it fit like a 6. I saw that way too much.”
In 2025, she launched KBB by Kahlana, a streetwear-inspired clothing line that champions size inclusion and affordability. “Not everyone can afford a $1,000 jean,” she shared. “So I always thought, ‘What if I can make a really great quality jean that is very fashion-forward, has an extensive size range and is fly?'”
On The Fashionista Network, Brown discussed her editorial background, the evolution of the magazine space, pivoting into design, navigating retail and more. Watch the full interview on YouTube below.
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