Q + A
ki
IN LOS ANGELES ON AUGUST 11-12, 2018, TRENDING CLOTHING BRANDS WILL GATHER ALONGSIDE INTERACTIVE CHILDREN’S GAMES AND
ACTIVITIES, AS THE POP-UP PHENOMENON KIDZ CON COMES TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. BABIEKINS MAGAZINE PARTNERED WITH KIDZ
CON AS THEIR OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER, AND SAT DOWN WITH KEYANA FRANKLIN -- VISIONARY BEHIND THIS INAUGURAL EVENT -- FOR A
LITTLE BEHIND-THE-SCENES CHAT.
{Q} KEYANA, WE’RE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH YOU IN THIS NEW
VENTURE. YOUR MISSION FEELS SO CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS, AS IT
ALIGNS WITH OUR OWN MISSION TO CELEBRATE THE MAGIC OF A
REAL, WILD, CHILDHOOD. HOW HAS THIS IDEA OF EMPOWERING KIDS
AND EXPRESSING INDIVIDUALITY HELPED SHAPE THE IDEA FOR THIS
EVENT?
{A} With the rise of social media I feel it’s becoming more and more
common for individuals to feel the need to fit into a certain image these
days. Children are our world’s future and I think it’s so important to
reassure them they are enough just the way they are. If we can shape
our children’s minds to believe this there will be so much more kindness
in the world, along with increased acceptance of individual uniqueness.
KEYANA FRANKLIN’S VISION
photographer SHANNON LAURINE | makeup | DRINI MARIE | hair MICHELLE RICHARDSON | interview ALLYSON HAAS
{Q} SPEAKING OF WHAT’S AVAILABLE AND REPRESENTATIVE FOR
{Q} IS IT SAFE TO SAY, THEN, THAT MODELING THIS EXAMPLE FOR
YOUR SON WAS A DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THE IDEA FOR KIDZ CON?
{A} You could say that. It was important for me to show my son if he
doesn’t see what he wants in the world, he has the power to go out
and create it for himself. I try my best to make my son aware life is not
always going to go his way; there will be obstacles he’ll have to face.
But I always encourage him to stay motivated and keep pushing through
the difficult times. I learned so much grit and determination from my
mother and grandmother, both of whom were school teachers. They both
had a huge passion for kids and always gave back and contributed to
the community. When my mom was battling cancer, there were times
she didn’t feel beautiful and I reminded her there is beauty in everything
and she was still a queen. This message of appreciating the beauty in
everyone’s individuality and unique journey inspired the ethos for Kidz
Con.
{Q} SPEAKING OF MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS, WE LOVE HOW
YOUR SITE SAYS, “(KIDZ CON IS) AN EVENT FOR CHILDREN, BUT ALSO
FOR PARENTS, COUPLES, GRANDMOTHERS AND GRANDFATHERS.”
WHAT DO YOU HOPE EVERYONE WHO EXPERIENCES KIDZ CON LEARNS
AND REMEMBERS MOST ABOUT THEIR VISIT?
KIDZ CON
LOS ANGELES
{Q} DID YOU FEAR THE IDEA OF CONFORMITY WAS MAKING ITS WAY
TO KIDS’ CLOTHING STORES IN WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS TO
BUY? AND WAS THIS ONE OF THE CATALYSTS FOR THE CREATION OF
THIS NEW EVENT?
{A} The idea came about for me once I started to realize there wasn’t
really a platform for consumers to be exposed to the latest children’s
brands in one fell swoop. Along with this, I know from experience how
difficult it can be to shop with young children in tow. Like most parents of
late,when shopping for my son I usually end up going online, which has its
own set of complications like sizing and the worry of the item not arriving
as expected, amongst other things. Thus, the idea for an atmosphere
where parents can find all their children’s fashion needs without their
kids suffering the ideas of a boring shopping trip. Welcome to the magical
land of KIDZ CON.
KIDS, LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR RECENT PHOTOSHOOT WITH ELIZA
LOGAN (PICTURES SHOWN). THE IMAGES ARE BRIGHT, FUN AND
YOU MADE SURE TO FEATURE KIDS OF ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND
ABILITIES. WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE INCLUSIVITY!
{A} I think it’s important because so often in this day and age you only
see very similar types of models. I want KIDZ CON to be a platform for
all kinds of kid models. I find it so important to bring out the beauty in all
children and encourage every child to be their true self.
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