Fashion designer Kiya Tomlin adds style and support to Etna

The decorative drains alongside Butler Avenue in Etna have a locust leaf style and design and are shown in a winding path. Their purpose is as a h2o characteristic that collects rain and retains it out of the sewer procedure.

It’s not stunning Kiya Tomlin discovered them when she to start with visited the city – she’s a vogue designer with a eager eye.

“I like the ornamental rainwater drains embedded in the sidewalks,” she claimed on a latest Monday in her boutique, Kiya Tomlin. “They give the community a charming come to feel.”

Getting Tomlin base her enterprise in Etna has been good to the development of the borough, situated 10 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Evaluation

Style designer Kiya Tomlint inside her store and workspace in Etna.

Etna handles one square mile alongside the banking institutions of the Allegheny River. As soon as a mill town, it is “re-emerged as a residential neighborhood with a very diversified small business base,” as the borough’s internet site proudly states.

There are more than 160 firms.

“I really like this space,” Tomlin reported. “It has definitely developed considering that I’ve been in this article. I am thrilled to be at the forefront of that. It is great to see what is taking place in Etna now.”

Tomlin mentioned the city has embraced her.

When she to start with frequented, she reported she understood proper absent it was the area to be in a position to design and style, manufacture and provide her women’s apparel line all in one particular room.

Tomlin commenced her small business in the basement of her residence. She then moved to an location inside Meadeworth Interiors in East Liberty right before opening her own retail store a couple blocks absent on Broad Road.

She bought the present-day constructing on Butler Road in 2018. The house, earlier an artist’s private studio, is all over 6,000 sq. ft.

“I saw so considerably prospective,” Tomlin said.

Just after she moved in, Tomlin hosted a manner display and experienced versions walking the runway – down the centre of the street.

“We are clearly thrilled to have Kiya in this article,” mentioned Mary Ellen Ramage, Etna Borough supervisor. “She has been a fantastic asset to the community. She cares about everybody.”

Expanding her achieve

Every piece is drawn, patterned, minimize, sewn and match to people today, not measurements, she mentioned. The outfits is produced of bamboo, cotton and spandex.

“Women deserve choices as remarkable as they are,” Tomlin mentioned. “They encourage me to create straightforward, flattering, stylish, practical clothes. Clothing meant to devote far more time on true bodies than on hangers.”

She makes in little batches to lower down on waste. Tomlin has donated clothes to support those affected by a hurricane and has taken leftover parts of cloth and upcycled it into neck rolls, remedy dolls and tactile parts to ease and comfort hospice patients and specific demands little ones.

Courtesy of Asia Margo Photography

This blue is a new hue for the “I Am Girl” spring/summer season assortment made by designer Kiya Tomlin. Stylist: Dominika Bronner Styling

A mom of a few with her partner, Pittsburgh Steelers head mentor Mike Tomlin, she a short while ago produced her most up-to-date collection drawing inspiration from singer Emmy Meli’s ballad “I Am Woman.”

She traded standard tender tones and floral motifs for deeply saturated hues.

There are eight items.

Charges range from $89 to $229 and things are obtainable in sizes XS-XXL.

When Tomlin receives a request to donate auction items, rather of supplying a T-shirt or sweatshirt, she donates a non-public purchasing celebration wherever 10-12 individuals can just take a tour of the house and do a complimentary wine tasting, and she will donate 10% from their buys to a charity of alternative.

A variety of groups have held situations in the room.

“It’s an knowledge,” Tomlin mentioned. “They can store and we will be there to aid with fittings and aid them come across the proper fashion that matches greatest.”

Collaborating

Tomlin collaborated with stylist Darnell McLaurin, co-producer of Pittsburgh’s FashionAFRICANA, and co-founder of Utopia Product Company with Pittsburgh fashionista Demeatria Boccella, of Demeatria Boccella Productions, to structure the showroom.

Tomlin, McLaurin and Boccella have assisted make the yearly Steelers manner clearly show.

Tomlin mentioned the source chain challenges from the pandemic haven’t impacted her enterprise much too harshly. Most of her line is manufactured in this article. Some of the fabric has been tricky to get at times.

In March 2020, Tomlin started building encounter masks for law enforcement and other critical staff. She told Ramage it was therapeutic for her and her crew to be capable to do some thing. Tomlin and her team created types that appeared on the masks. They have produced 30,000 masks, some for Highmark and Allegheny Health and fitness Network’s 1 million mask energy.

“That absolutely saved us afloat,” Tomlin mentioned. “And it felt very good to help other individuals.”

Courtesy of Asia Margo Pictures

Kiya Tomlin has made an NFL collection of comfortable, attractive apparel, perfect for game day. Stylist: Dominika Bronner Styling

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Tomlin also is increasing her NFL selection for the 2022 year, which started with the Steelers. She is developing seven certain styles, which will be introduced in the colors of 10 different groups. Their debut is planned for August. She reported there had been inquiries from non-Steelers admirers.

“They can dress well on match day, way too,” she said. “That does not indicate they are likely to earn.”

Tomlin is in the method of building a fragrance. She reported it is normally one thing she’s wanted to do, and she is aiming for a drop start.

“Like the dresses I design and style, the fragrance is made to be layered and combined to build a little something special to the wearer,” Tomlin claimed.

Performing for Tomlin is excellent, claimed affiliate designer Brittany Meyer of Scott Township, who was Tomlin’s first worker. Tomlin stated Meyer was so persistent.

“I have realized so significantly from Kiya,” Meyer mentioned. “She does all the things suitable, down to the past depth.”

Kiya Tomlin is found at 338 Butler St., Etna. Hrs are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday by way of Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.