Sewing Her Own Lane - Meet Mone Rivera (Millennials Making Moves)

Shaa Ravine : Who is Mone Rivera and what is MKR Plus Fashion?

Mone Rivera : MKR Plus Fashion I established as my plus size fashion blog. MKR Kippurah however is the clothing line I am currently producing. MKR Kippurah came about from the initials of my name and the name Kippurah I just absolutely love not only because it's my middle name and just sounds freakin hot! (Lol) but also because Kippurah means to be at one with God being that I was born during the holiday Yom Kippur. Being that I am a very spiritual not so much religious person I and the fact that I recognized that I am a brand my damn self , I just said it fits !

SR: Tell us about how you got your start in fashion - How and when did you learn how to sew? sketch? blog?

MR: When I first started designing I was actually in junior high school always getting in trouble for doodling matching sets and outfits in my notebook instead of taking actual notes ! (Lol) when I got to high school, I met a girl that actually encouraged me to go fully into fashion design as a career . I remember struggling back then with this decision because my parents were in the arts as well so they warned me there is no money in this industry , but I had to learn for myself there is no money in it if you do not have a passion for it. Nothing ever worth having comes easy in life, and I realized I really had a passion for design! I would jump out of my sleep some nights when a design would pop in my head or in a weird dream and I would stay up all night coming up with more pieces eventually making mini collections. When I graduated high school I made my decision to apply to FIT and when I got accepted I think everything just changed for me and really made me accept okay this is it . I am going to become a fashion designer (because in my head I already was one - lol).

SR: I've noticed that you have two degrees from F.I.T, congratulations! - What are your degrees in? Has your formal education affected and or influenced your career in fashion?

MR: I have an Associates degree in Fashion Design and a Bachelors in Fashion Merchandising. My formal education here I can say has influenced my perseverance in Fashion. It wasn't until I went in for my portfolio review audition to actually get into FIT that I realized this is truly hard work and not just a cute little dress-up game that so many girls enter this field believing it will be. I am here to tell you FIT plays no games and you WILL have a couple breakdowns a week, you WILL question yourself, but as long as you stay true to who you are as a designer I don't think ANYTHING can deter you.

SR: The fashion industry, unfortunately, has a few stigmas where certain body types are glamorized over others. As a plus size fashion blogger and advocate - Has this affected how you navigate the fashion world?

MR: The fashion industry's body type stigma I can happily say is gradually changing for the better I have to say thanks to us bloggers ! There are so many body positive pages and influencers that encourage women to be happy with themselves. I went through a lot with discovering myself and who I am as not only a designer but as a person and I've come to realize happiness truly comes from within ... no one else can truly make you happy with your work, your life, or yourself period until YOU are happy who you are!

SR: We love how fashionable, fearless and creative you are. You appear as very comfortable in your skin and exude that within your fashion. Were you always fearless, creative, and body positive? What is your definition of body positivity in relation to the fashion industry?

MR: Well, I've always been creative ... fearless ...body positive ? No. It took me a while to get to this confidence level in my life. Ive been talked about, made fun of, lost friends, became depressed, just everything negative you can think of really kind of took a toll on me for a while... and after a while I got tired of being the shy girl holding the bags at the parties because I didn't think I looked as good as my skinnier girlfriends because the guys wouldn't wanna dance with me. I got tired of being asked to dress down by girlfriends when that's all I had to stand out and make me look good and now women didn't even want to see me happy with that. Eventually I just had a real bad breakdown one day and I just decided enough! I always dressed my best since I was in elementary because I get it from my mama, so I had to realize this is just ME. You can hate it or love it but I'm gonna do me, and since then that's just what I've been doing! I also had to realize what body positivity means to me... we all have flaws, you will spend a lifetime trying to alter yourself to fit society's standards and not truly live for you, I choose to live for me and be happy whether I'm plus sized or want to lose a few pounds that's for me to know and me to be happy with!

SR: As a designer what do you aim to achieve through your work/designs? Do you ever plan on starting your own line and will it be exclusively plus size?

MR: I plan to make women feel good when they are wearing my clothes. I originally did plan on doing an exclusive plus size collection but I realize that's not me either. Yes I advocate to the plus size community because I am plus sized myself but there are some real encouraging women that reach out to me with self confidence issues that are petite, or short , etc so I want to cater to all sizes with my line. I just care about my clothes having great fit and looking FIERCE!

SR: Can you briefly walk us through your creative process when you design pieces for clients? What is it like to work with different clients, fabrics, body types?

MR: Omg I am still learning about different body types it's a challenge let me just say that! But it's a learning experience I cherish because I want to become a perfectionist when it comes to fit. I realize that is the biggest thing that will make or break your business in design. Fabrics ! Omg don't even get me started I'm obsessed with different prints and colors ... currently obsessed with African prints right now!

SR: How do you differentiate yourself from other fashion bloggers and/or designers?

MR: Well, I'm different because I speak my mind about social injustices and issues that affect my community on the same platform as my fashion . Basically I stay true to me and pay attention to what's going on in the world while expressing that creatively through my work or posts. I'm a visualist and I think a lot of us are so while I talk about fashion and the latest styles I still want people to wake up. That's why I love fashion the most because it is the artistic form of expression that can truly come from you and your emotions , how you're feeling... it's literally a way of life .

SR: Social media and technology is a large part of my life as a journalist and has really helped me to make connections as well as make a name for myself. Now currently I aim to create an online space/ community that highlights and uplifts exceptional Millennials like yourself. How do you use social media / the web? Has it played a role in your journey in fashion?

MR: Social media has been a struggle for me because at heart I am so old school. I believe women didn't just throw everything out there how they do now so I just miss privacy and "the tease" it created mystery and that's honestly another thing that's different about me. I realize as much as we need social media to reach different outlets of promotion and marketing and connecting , you do not have to give up all of yourself for social media . It's definitely opened my eyes greatly and has forced me to step outside my comfort zone and put myself out there more and I must say I've been getting so much positive support . I've definitely connected more with other bloggers, models, and industry heads so it's very beneficial you've just gotta know how to make it work for you .

SR: As you know, the purpose of this movement is to highlight millennials that are chasing their dreams and doing significant work in their respective industries. So looking back on your journey what advice would you give to other creative millennials trying to make their mark in fashion or in general?

MR: Make your mistakes , you're young that's what youth is for... but know that at some point as you're getting older it's time to wake up . Stop wasting your life away and really truly figure out what makes you happy in life and do that. Never let anyone stop you from reaching your goals and turning your dreams into realities . Speak affirmations into existence I do this everyday on my Snapchat (@likesemthickk) and it helps so much. Keep positive people in your life keep positive energy always around you . Also it's never too early or too late to start making yourself better !

*You can follow this millennials making moves on social media on Instagram @MKR_PlusFashion - On Snapchat @likesemthickk * Thank you so much for stopping by Mone Rivera !