Fri | Apr 19, 2024

‘Woman of Value’ Kiddist Cowans expands

Moves from gifts and décor to ready-made clothing

Published:Saturday | March 19, 2022 | 12:09 AMKrysta Anderson/Staff Reporter
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After going through a C-section birth and a subsequent myomectomy, Cowans developed a new appreciation for women and their bodies. Since then, she has become a body positivity advocate and has her design sizes ranging from small to three XL.
Contributed
After going through a C-section birth and a subsequent myomectomy, Cowans developed a new appreciation for women and their bodies. Since then, she has become a body positivity advocate and has her design sizes ranging from small to three XL.
Fashion, for Kiddist Cowans, is any piece of clothing that makes her feel comfortable, while allowing her to authentically express who she is at the core.
Contributed
Fashion, for Kiddist Cowans, is any piece of clothing that makes her feel comfortable, while allowing her to authentically express who she is at the core.
Meet the strong, talented, positive and bubbly ‘ball of light’ behind the Woman of Value brand, Kiddist Cowans.
Contributed
Meet the strong, talented, positive and bubbly ‘ball of light’ behind the Woman of Value brand, Kiddist Cowans.
Cowans’ hope is that her initiative goes beyond fashion and creates a movement of empowered women who uplift each other and work toward breaking biases in their careers and daily lives.
Contributed
Cowans’ hope is that her initiative goes beyond fashion and creates a movement of empowered women who uplift each other and work toward breaking biases in their careers and daily lives.
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Kiddist Cowans never saw herself as a fashion designer. But she became enchanted by a purpose to build a brand solely for queens. Now, she is celebrating Women’s Month with her very own clothing line, Women of Value.

“I was inspired to start my own fashion brand because I felt there was a need for women to find that ‘go to’ place with clothing that allows them to confidently express themselves while being super comfortable,” she told Saturday Living in a recent interview.

Cowans recalls her grandmother making her dresses to wear to church as a child. Once she was old enough to understand her fashion sense, she would give the matriarch suggestions on design ideas and also got involved in the fabric-selection process. “I have very fond memories of staying up late at night with her by the sewing machine to help her string the machine needle,” she said nostalgically.

CHAMPIONING

As she grew into championing her cause, she realised that it was time to get back to her roots. She began exploring design in the décor department, creating a unique business model with Jesse’s Gifts and More. As life would have it, her entrepreneurial dream came full circle, landing her back at her foundation.

“Fashion is just another means of authentically expressing who I am at the core, a very positive and bubbly ‘ball of light’. I naturally go for vivid and bright colours, so fashion allows me to pick myself up on the down days and shine even brighter on my good days,” Cowans revealed.

Since launching on International Women’s Day a year ago, the response has been phenomenal. Women have been impressed by the feel and quality of caps, T-shirts, joggers sets, short sets and dresses in stock. It helps that they’re available in a myriad of popping colours: purple, mustard, orange, red, navy blue, even black. “My favourite part of the design process was choosing colours that complement each other and people noticed that. We weren’t doing just plain everyday colours; we did our best to differentiate.”

Classy and chic by design, the signature logo boasts a female who bears a striking resemblance to the naturalista, Cowans. But the fashionista maintains her stance on the face representing all women of value. Women and what their bodies represent resonate with the new designer, especially after going through a C-section birth and a subsequent myomectomy.

“I have a new appreciation for what a woman’s body should look like or be. Women should not be conformed to society’s stereotype of what they should look like. Women should be comfortable in their own skin, no matter the colour, size or shape. You can call me a body positivity advocate, but I strongly believe in doing whatever makes women happy despite what others may think. That is the reason why my designs are available in sizes from small to three XL and if we need to go higher, we can,” she said.

Cowans’ aim is to go beyond fashion and create a movement of empowered women who uplift each other and work toward breaking biases in their careers and daily lives. This is why each purchase includes a bookmark with an empowering quote. “One of my favourites is one that says, ‘Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we raise them. May we be them’,” she reinforced.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com