Digital Marketer and Fashion Lover Keiana Burton Speaks On Her Brand’s Guide Dedicated To A Woman’s Life and Style.
Digital Marketer and Fashion Lover Keiana Burton Speaks On Her Brand’s Guide Dedicated To the Working Woman, How Growing Up In Harlem Influenced Her Sense of Style, Her Writing Inspirations, Merchandise Releases For SIMPSTYLE, And What’s Next for Her In 2021.
Keiana Burton
Women’s History Month is coming to a close but until that happens officially, we’re keeping our 3rd Annual interview series going! For the second to last drop of the month, I wanted to introduce someone who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and hanging around for the last two years. Keiana Burton aka KB is a woman I’ve admired for a while for her strong sense of style and great understanding of how to put an outfit together. When she told me she was from Harlem I put two and two together; it made all the sense in the world. Aside from the fact that she is a lover of fashion and labels, KB is also a talented writer who runs a very popular blog called SIMP STYLE, an online platform dedicated to highlighting the working woman’s life and style. In four years the guide has generated over 4,000 followers on its Instagram page and in January, the clever creative decided to add another component to her thriving business. She launched her first installment of SIMP MERCH with a line of specialized coffee mugs. The line consists of eight mugs and each mug has a coined cultural word or phrase on it such as “Not Today,” “Catch Flights Not Feelings,” “What’s the Tea?” and more.
I spoke with my dear friend about growing up in Harlem, how and why she got into writing, her fashion inspirations, continuing to build her woman-driven brand and business, and what’s to come for her and SIMP STYLE in 2021. Read the full interview below.
1 - Who influenced you within fashion early on?
I’ve always loved fashion. Whether it was from my mom’s style or grandmother’s. However, my grandmother was the first to teach me how to sew at six. I would create Barbie clothes with tights and such. From there I’ve always made my own clothes & accessories.
2 - At what point did you become a lover of luxury fashion? What was it luxury labels that drew you in?
Hmmm… I’ve always loved what I couldn’t have, lol, so that’s luxury. I think what drew me to the luxury world was the creativity. What you see in some of these houses you can’t get from Zara or H&M. The luxury world always seemed like a fantasy to me. I remember growing up and seeing my mom with her bag and furs and saying “Oh, when I get older that will be me.”
3 - You’re born and raised in Harlem. We know how influential Harlem was and still is when it comes to fashion. How did that particular style and culture influence you growing up?
It gave me the freedom to be different and the confidence to know I’m the shit, lol. Being from Harlem is a lifestyle. So with that cocky confidence, I would always hold my head up high and carry myself like the coolest in the room. This has helped me get very far in my personal & career life.
4 - You currently have a brand called Simp Style. Talk to me a little bit about that.
My baby, SIMPSTYLE is the “Working Girls Guide to Life & Style. “ When I first started working in these luxury corporate positions I didn’t know much. I didn’t know what to say or how to respond to these big-time people. As I learned the way, I wanted to create a platform that in the end would help others not have to make the same mistakes. Four years later we’ve expanded to career articles, lifestyle articles, fashion, and interviews with top women in the industry.
5 - What do you consider the most important part of your brand? Why?
The most important is what people take away. I think I hold that dear to me and that is why I’m so honest in my content. I want my readers to experience the world with me. I want them to say SIMP made a difference in their decision-making processes.
6 - Back in January you launched the first installment of SIMP Merch with a line of coffee mugs. First and foremost, congratulations! Why was it important to you to add merch to your growing online brand and why coffee mugs?
I’ve always wanted to add a shop component to my brand but nothing felt right. I wanted something that communicated to the brand and wasn’t a money grab. Every Working Girl starts her day off with a hot beverage so a mug was the perfect option.
7 - Aside from the fact that you love fashion and run your own brand/website, you also write. How did you get into that?
Writing came naturally to me because I love to talk, lol. I’m a Leo so I also love to tell people what to do, lol. Writing has always been a part of me.
8 - How do you balance operating a site full time while also working full time? Has this pandemic made it easier for you to delegate time to both?
It’s hardddd! It’s always been hard though because even before then I was running my site, working full-time in fashion, and getting my Master’s. I’ve always been used to being busy and always on the go so this now comes naturally to me. The pandemic has honestly made more money come in but I’m still tired, lol.
9 - As a fashion enthusiast, I’m sure you have a favorite brand. What is it and why? Secondly, are there any smaller brands you follow that you like?
Hmmmmm, to be honest, I really don’t have a favorite brand. I’m a pieces girl. So now I’m eying this Jill Sanders oversized bag because I have too many things. I’m 100% in love with Birkenstock’s now so I will be wearing them everywhere that allows me to. I’m also getting into the graphic tee world so I wanna stock up on those this summer.
Small brands, hmmmmm, I actually love the Brandon Blackwood bags but I can’t catch the resale, lol.
10 - What’s your true definition of success?
Success for me means being able to take care of my mom. I wanna pay her for just being her.
11 - What can we expect from Keiana Burton and the Simp Style brand for 2021?
MADDDD STUFF. I’m currently doing a lot of freelance marketing and that really is exciting me. I have a few clients I’m working with so that’s great. I’ve always had a passion for marketing.
For SIMP, more merch and more crazy stories. I have a lot to say and want the world to hear it. :)
