Mercedes Benz Fashion Week kicks into high gear on Wednesday, and emerging designer Keva Johnson has nothing but bathing suits on the brain.
“This is Miami’s version of Bryant Park, so I’m going to go big this year," Johnson said. "My whole line is about being different and standing out -- my shows are no different. It’s going to be something people need to see.”
Johnson, whose line KEVA by Keva J will show at Nikki Beach this Saturday, is a Florida girl at heart. She currently lives in New York, but was raised in Miami and later went on to earn a degree in apparel design at Florida State University. It was after graduating that the fashionista took a celebratory trip with girlfriends that would later change her career.
“When I graduated from FSU, I went on cruise with some friends and while shopping for the trip all the bathing suits were so blah," she said. "I thought, maybe I'll just make some suits and see what happens. I really wanted to design ready-to-wear, but I just kind of fell in love with making swimwear.”
In her short three years as a designer, the bathing suit buff has created her own line, landed a spot at Miami Fashion Week for two years in a row, and has even styled all three of the Kardashian sisters. But, even with all of her success, its her fans who keep Johnson kicking.
“When I hear that the Kardashian sisters love my suits, I'm just in awe. It makes me feel so strong about my brand," she said. "But, the best part of my career is when people tell me they love wearing my suits and that I'm one of their favorite designers.”
She added, “Its amazing. Hearing stuff like that, well, there is nothing better in the whole world.”
