Fashion Inspo: White Kiku!

Hello and Happy Wednesday! 

Monday's post was pretty heavy -for me at least- so I am going to lighten things up with a very inspirational Fashion Inspo post! 

Recently, I was able to chat a bit with Beverly Bullock, the designer behind White Kiku, and get to hear her story about how she became a designer. It is a pretty incredible story too! This woman is about as strong as they come! And extremely creative! I am happy to share her story with you today! 

​Beverly has always had a creative side to her. Growing up she really enjoyed crafts, in particular, making jewelry. She also enjoyed watching shows like What Not to Wear and America's Next Top Model. It was in 5th grade she was diagnosed with autism. "It is kind of rare for a girl to be diagnosed so early," she told me, "usually it is males who are diagnosed as kids and women later on in life." Unfortunately, Beverly was not able to get the proper treatment for her autism but that did not let it stop her. At times it could be challenging because she can hyper fixate on certain things and can take things very literal, but it also played a part in her journey as a designer! 

"I love anime," Beverly told me, "I like to go to conventions with my husband and dress up in cosplay. But sometimes the costumes can be too tight on my neck or negatively impact my sensory needs, so I started to make them myself, to fit my needs." From there Beverly would be inspired by different shows, usually anime shows, or books/magazines. She explained that she would connect with a character or a certain look and head to Pinterest for ideas to recreate the look. From there, she contemplates how to make the look her own. "Sometimes I do get stuck creatively," she acknowledged, "other times I know exactly what I want." I can relate to that! She also explained that due to other health issues sometimes it can take her a week or so to complete a look. 

---

​I first saw Beverly's designs at a Charlotte Seen fashion show a few weeks ago and had fallen in love with her unique styles. They were so full of color and life! "I was excited and nervous at the same time," Beverly told me, "I had done a fashion show before that kind of broke my heart. So, I was kind of using this show as a pallet cleanser. And the make-up artists and hair stylists did such a great job with the models! I was screaming when I saw the pictures! In a good way!" As she should! Her line was definitely one of my favorites! And the anime inspiration was clear! 

After hearing about her journey, the ups and downs, and the show that broke her heart, I had to know how she copes with setbacks or disappointments. We all have them, and it is so inspirational to me to hear how others cope with them. "Designing and being creative really helps me," she told me, "when I began sewing at first I could only do it for a few minuets at a time before I had to stop and rest. But those few minuets meant the world to me because sewing made me so happy!" 

Beverly has no plans of slowing down! She has two fashion shows coming up that she is preparing for. One is in October for GWE, a company who helps her out with fabrics, that is in Richmond, VA. And she will be a part of Charlotte Fashion Week in September! Additionally, Beverly also has goals of growing her following and participating in more interviews with News stations and magazines. Her biggest dream? To see one of her favorite anime voice actresses, Cristina Vee, wear one of her pieces! 

​On a final note, I was curious about her brand name, White Kiku. When I heard it I thought it was very unique and lovely, so I had to ask what it meant. "Well, Kiku is a type of Chrysanthemum flower and it means new beginning," she explained, "and white also represents washing away and starting new. So, for me it reminds me of going forward now being myself and not what people want me to be."  

What a beautiful story! And this is just the beginning! I have no doubt Beverly is destined for great things! And I for one am here for it!