Kim Khanbeigi founded Kiyonna Clothing in 1996 with the vision of reinventing how plus-size women’s clothing was created, perceived and dispersed. With Kim’s enthusiastic dedication to a specific niche market of women underserved by the fashion business, Kiyonna Clothes ended up being a business that plus-size ladies trust and recognize as being a leader in the industry, setting the patterns that their competitors follow.
Prior to founding Kiyonna, Kim received her Bachelor’s degree in Company Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from the University of Southern California in 1996. During Kim’s last semester at USC, she went on holiday with one of her best friends, never ever dreaming it would be the trip of a life time. While hanging up their clothing in their hotel space, Kim noticed that none of her friend’s clothes had labels in them. When asked why, her good friend chuckled and said it was her mom who had to make everything for her as no adorable clothing were available past a size 16. This was Kim’s light bulb moment. Soon after graduating, Kim released Kiyonna’s first collection and started to distribute to specialized shops. As sales got momentum with the birth of ecommerce shopping and constant editorial protection, so did Kiyonna’s team and depth of offerings. Today, Kiyonna can be found in stores worldwide as well as online at Kiyonna.com. Online organization represent over 80% of sales, and in 2007, the company opened its first Flagship retail area called the Upstairs Boutique in Anaheim.
Despite the existing economic climate, Kiyonna grows by working clever and using recourses such as their advanced ecommerce site and loyal following of customers to continue to increase company. Departments varying from Mixed drink Dresses and Tops Under $60 draw in customers to shop, while social networking, blogs and videos enable the business to get personal with their consumers, giving them a ‘Behind the Seams’ look at the daily happenings of Kiyonna. Kim has been active in ensuring Kiyonna balances meeting and going beyond consumer expectation while at the exact same time remaining socially mindful. Each year Kiyonna donates thousands of garments to Self-respect U Wear, a structure that supplies brand name brand-new clothing to ladies in need, helping to restore hope, self-respect and self esteem. Supporting the local economy has also been among Kim’s highest concerns, as 100% of all Kiyonna’s production is done in the U.S.A..
“We’re in business still, after all these years, since we have actually always offered a feeling, not a product. I have actually constantly thought in the concept that curved females should have to look and feel trendy and incredible. Why not?” Kim Camarella-Khanbeigi.
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