Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiaya Riley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been interested in fashion and the way I present myself. I’ve always wanted to look “presentable” in any way possible. I used to create T-shirt designs in class during high school. How my brand actually came about was in 2021, when I figured I didn’t want to go back to college at the moment, and I wanted to pursue something of my own. I played around with a lot of names; it started with a name called The Avenue. I hated it after a while; the designs were horrible, and it didn’t feel right to me. I wanted a brand with a name that would stick in people’s heads, and the name would speak to the aesthetic I was going for, which was more of a luxury feel. I came up with Alexandra Kai at first because it was my middle name and my first name put together, but that didn’t sound right to me, so I changed it to Alexander. That was the actual start of my brand. I then obtained my LLC, my website, and books to help me. I did tons of research on where to start and how to navigate a clothing brand. I learned a lot, and I failed a lot at the beginning. I love the journey and what I’m learning along the way. I’ve done pop-up shops, traveled to different states to sell my clothes, and I participated in my first fashion show this past summer. I got here today by not giving up; learning from my mistakes and not allowing the bad seasons to define whether my brand will succeed or not. I started out pressing my own shirts; now I’m creating complete outfits such as my denim sets. I have jackets, better quality shirts, and items to sell because I’ve continued to learn; I’ve continued to test the waters and see what fits for me and my brand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Manufacturers have scammed me. I’ve had people buy my items and do chargebacks to get their money back and keep the products. My first year renewing my website domain, someone tried to take it, and I had to pay $300 to get my domain back. I’ve been through substantial financial ups and downs trying to sustain my brand and keep it going. I paused my brand in 2024-2025 because of a criminal case that I was falsely accused of. I was embarrassed, and I didn’t want that light shining on my brand; I didn’t want the image anywhere near my brand. Lastly, keeping up with consistency was the hardest part of it all. I don’t think I’ve gone through anything that no other brand owner hasn’t gone through. It’s a huge investment, but it worth it to me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Alexander Kai is my clothing brand that evolves with me as I get older. Now that I’m in my 30’s I’ve moved my brand towards a more minimalistic simplicity aesthetic. Not to much design but more details. Give off more timeless looks. I do operate my business by myself. So I do everything from designing, marketing, building my website, etc. It’s not easy at all.
I specialize more in the marketing aspect of all of it. I have recently specialized in SEO analysis; I’ve just earned my certificate for that. I’ve also have an associates in business, currently working on my bachelors in marketing from Prairie View A&M University.
I am most proud of my brand; it led me down a path of actually chasing my dreams, it led me back to finishing my degree, and it led me to making better decisions for myself. I’ve gained so much knowledge, discipline, routine, communication skills, etc. I honestly don’t know where I would be if I didn’t start and become serious about my brand.
I feel like what sets Alexander Kai apart is the intention that goes into it. I do a lot of research before I make anything, whether it’s an ad campaign; I will research what type of campaigns are earning traction and what kind of media needs to be posted to draw attention. When it comes to creating my designs, I’m researching fabrics, different details to add to the garment, measurements, and sizing. I’m literally building my designs from the ground up. I don’t follow trends; I try to differentiate myself as much as possible. I also refuse to put out bad quality; I will re-sample a product 3-5 times before I create a bulk order of said product. A lot of intention goes into my brand.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
One quality I possess is a strong sense of independence. I have never been someone who easily conforms to authority or allows the opinions of others to dictate what I believe I am capable of achieving. This does not mean that I disregard or devalue other people’s perspectives. In fact, I respect the experiences and opinions of others; however, I believe there is value in having the freedom to experience things for myself and develop my own understanding.
I particularly dislike being told that I cannot accomplish something because I do not believe that someone else should define the limits of my potential. I would rather take the opportunity to pursue something firsthand, learn from the experience, and form my own conclusions. I respect advice, but I also value autonomy and the ability to make my own decisions.
This quality has had a significant impact on my approach to success. Rather than allowing doubt or criticism to discourage me, I tend to view it as a challenge. When someone underestimates me, it does not make me want to give up—it motivates me to prove that their perception of my abilities does not define my outcome. I genuinely enjoy challenges and competition because they push me to become more determined, resourceful, and resilient.
In many ways, doubt becomes fuel for me. What could be discouraging to someone else becomes a source of motivation for me. Once I feel that I have been underestimated, I become even more driven to overcome the obstacle and demonstrate what I am capable of achieving. Ultimately, my independent nature and competitive spirit encourage me to turn skepticism into motivation and challenges into opportunities for growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alexanderkaiofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialalexanderkai/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/414_rilo/
