Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaliyah Howard.
Kaliyah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I began modeling when I was three years old because I have always enjoyed all things related to fashion, and Tyra Banks’ “America’s Next Top Model” was airing at the time. I developed a fascination with modeling after my mother allowed me to watch a few episodes! Not long after, when I was just 4 years old, my mom created my Instagram account, @kaliyah.fashion, and a designer asked me to be her model.
My mother discovered a DMV area kids modeling organization after searching Google and realizing I had the IT FACTOR in modeling after my first show. When I was six years old, I tried out and got in. I was six years old and did my first NYFW show, I have been booked and busy with fashion shows ever since. Being the youngest person present so many people were shocked at how I was able to slay the runway and not be shy. I even appeared in a few online stories. My most recent NYFW occurred at Times Square when I was twelve years old! I can honestly say that the two Times Square fashion shows I’ve done are the best. I’ve always been making memes and becoming popular on social media, but lately, I’ve been taking off even more.
I currently have 31.8k Instagram followers, and my most viewed video has 2.3 million views. In addition, I work as a Teen Youth Coach. I’ve only taught one session so far, but it was a success because everyone developed their personalities and walks. It was also a lot of fun to watch kids and teenagers my age enjoy modeling as much as I do. I also judged teen model shows; at the age of eight, I judged my first model show it was fabulous how I was able to be in the “audience” and see a different perspective. Furthermore, I am a Teen Host. I began hosting events at the age of seven mainly fashion and runway events. Two of the few models I look up to I’ve met. I dance as well as a model; I’ve done it since I was three years old.
I perform dances for the WNBA Mystic Mayhem and the NBA Washington Wizards (wiz kids). Winnie Harlow entered the room as my team and I were getting ready to go on stage in the summer of 2022 for Mystic Mayhem; she was heading to the court to watch. She asked, “Do you want a hug?” and I sprinted to give her one as I started shouting because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. She expressed interest in seeing us after the game, so I was able to snap a photo and demonstrate my model walk to her. My mom filmed and posted it on Instagram which to this day is still going viral. Around August 2023, Diva Davanna contacted me on Instagram. She asked me to film model content for her Instagram account with another model at her studio in New Jersey.
We created a model walk video together and it has 274k views right now! She was very pleasant, her studio was amazing, and her modeling technique was even better in person. We had a great time together for the entire day, and I’m happy I got to work with her. My bright, energetic personality is highly admired by others, which is quite helpful while hosting. Additionally, I genuinely enjoy what I do, and I do not doubt that I will succeed in the fashion industry and become well-known in this world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The ride hasn’t been easy. I’ve struggled with things like not being able to attend shows or gatherings. I’m from a single-parent household, and model organizations frequently want me to appear in their shows, but I can’t always because of the expense, especially if I’m not getting paid. Another experience I had was with racism. There have been shows where they specifically excluded me because I’m black, or they picked me only because they mistakenly believed me to be white.
I will never compromise who I am—a 100% Black girl I adore who I am and where I come from. In 2021, I also had to deal with the discovery that I have hearing loss. My life was drastically altered; I battled a great deal with confidence issues, despised it when people questioned why I had hearing aids or what had happened, and hated having to wear them so much that I would deliberately leave them at home.
I was able to regain my confidence thanks to my mother, and I feel more at ease with my hearing loss now. Don’t get me wrong, there are still ups and downs, but overall things are still far better than they were.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Gossip Graphics?
My company, @gossipgraphics, specializes in graphic design. I began on January 22, 2023. In addition to being a teenage photographer and videographer, I also create visual logos and YouTube intros and outros. My primary reputation stems from my videos.
In September 2022, I launched my YouTube account @kaliyah.fashion, which sparked my interest in becoming a graphic designer. My enthusiasm increased when my elder sister gave me a high-end camera for Christmas. I launched my company and set to work as soon as I decided I wanted to be a graphic designer.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
As of COVID-19, I discovered how much life is lived by everyone. From parents going to work every day to children going to school every day.
Being at home all the time made me realize how much I was losing out on spending time with my family. With me at school and my elder sister in college, we never really got to hang out during the week. Being together all the time has truly strengthened and bonded us more than before.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaliyah.fashion/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCPmVABi8t4S9i3elfCFmP3g
Image Credits
Maya Fiellin, Norman E. Jones, and Johnnie Sommer
