Today we’d like to introduce you to Kai’Lee Fleming.
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?
My creative journey really started in middle school, when I began dropshipping jewelry through my first small business, Accessories by Lee. Even then, I knew I wanted to do more than simply sell products. I wanted to create pieces that felt personal and carried my own essence. That eventually led me to teaching myself how to make things by hand.
In high school, around 2022, I launched Soft Lyfe Stylez, where I began crocheting bags, and Styles by Kai’Lee Marie, where I created virtual styling boards. Those projects allowed me to explore fashion from different perspectives—design, styling, and personal expression.
In 2023, I had the opportunity to participate in New York Fashion Week, which was a major turning point for me. I began taking modeling more seriously and building relationships within Baltimore’s creative community. I wanted to become more than someone who wore the clothes—I wanted to understand and contribute to the entire creative process behind them.
In 2024, I expanded into jewelry and accessory design, creating beaded tops and custom pieces under Bijoux de Marie Foi. Around the same time, I started college and began an internship with Digital Factory Studios, where I continued developing my styling skills while also discovering a passion for photography, creative direction, and visual storytelling. I continued modeling for local brands, including Waahhh, while becoming more intentional about creating content and building my presence as a creative.
Looking back, everything has connected. What started as selling jewelry in middle school evolved into crochet, styling, modeling, design, photography, creative direction, and content creation. I’ve always been drawn to creating things that feel authentic to me, and I think that desire to put my own essence into everything I create is what has carried me this far. I’m still evolving, but my goal has always been the same: to create, inspire, and leave my own imprint on the fashion and creative scene in Baltimore and beyond.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of the more discouraging parts of building my creative career has been putting so much time, energy, and intention into something and not always seeing the response or amount of orders I hoped for. I’ve launched businesses centered around my handmade pieces, explored photography and creative direction, and put my work out into the world, but there have also been periods where the opportunities and sales were slow.
I also experienced a creative slump after losing a close friend, and at a time when I was struggling emotionally, it became difficult to create the way I normally would. It felt almost like having writer’s block, except with my creativity as a whole. I questioned myself and wondered if I was still capable of producing work that I was proud of.
Looking back, though, those moments taught me that being a creative isn’t always about constantly producing. Sometimes you have to step back, process what you’re experiencing, and allow yourself to find your way back to your creativity. I’m still learning how to navigate those highs and lows, but I think they’ve made me more intentional about my work and more resilient as a creative.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I consider myself a multidisciplinary creative. My work lives at the intersection of fashion, styling, design, modeling, photography, creative direction, and content creation. I’ve never really wanted to limit myself to one lane because I enjoy being involved in the entire creative process—from developing an idea and designing a piece to styling it, modeling it, photographing it, and creating the story around it.
I specialize in creating pieces and visuals that feel personal and expressive. Whether I’m crocheting a bag, designing a beaded top, putting together a styling concept, or creating content, I’m always thinking about how I can make it feel like an extension of my personality and perspective.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve built my creative journey from the ground up. I started experimenting with entrepreneurship and handmade products when I was very young, and I’ve continued finding new ways to turn my ideas into something tangible. Being able to see an idea that existed in my head become an actual product, image, or creative concept is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
What sets me apart is that I don’t see creativity as being confined to one medium. I’m constantly learning, experimenting, and finding ways for my different skills to work together. I think that versatility, combined with my desire to put my own essence into everything I create, is what makes my work uniquely mine.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Baltimore is the creative energy. There’s so much talent here, and I really appreciate the people and spaces that are intentional about building our community up and creating opportunities for one another. There’s a sense of individuality here that I think makes Baltimore’s creative scene really special.
If there’s one thing I like least, it’s the feeling of a “crabs in a barrel” mentality that can sometimes exist when people start to elevate. I think it can be difficult when someone’s growth becomes uncomfortable for others, especially when their success feels unfamiliar or no longer as “digestible” to the people around them. I would love to see more people celebrate each other’s evolution and understand that someone else’s growth doesn’t take away from their own potential.
I also think originality is really important in a creative community. Inspiration is a natural and necessary part of being an artist, but there’s a difference between being inspired by someone and trying to recreate their identity or brand. I’d love to see more creatives feel confident enough to develop their own voice and allow each other the space to be uniquely themselves.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theekaileemarie
