What started as a vision the size of a mustard seed has evolved into a thriving brand with global presence.
High Priority Fashion first made its way selling t-shirts. Iamkeyia designed her own logo, setting a standard in creating a variety of logo colors to appease her customers.
"I didn't have a lot of money. All I could afford at the time was five t-shirts."
Working with what little she had, she stepped out on faith and posted five t-shirts with five different High Priority logo colors on her social media platforms. She made her first sale that day and invested in 4 t-shirts. She sold two more shirts the next day and invested in 8 more shirts.
From selling t-shirts out the trunk of her car or making sales through her dm's, she was on a mission to push and bring more exposure to her brand. She later introduces sweatsuits, shorts sets, bucket hats, bodysuits and bubble coats to name a few.
Founder Keyia Canty embarked on a journey to redefine street wear fashion with a vision of creating apparel that seamlessly blends comfort, quality, and style.
As her influence grew, so did the demand. Messages flooded in, requesting more than just t-shirts - leggings, hoodies, sweatsuits became sought-after additions to iamkeyia's expanding clothing line.
It wasn't until 2021 when High Priority Fashion decided to rebrand it's logo with colors that would forever define the logo. Red, White, Black, and Gold is High Priority Fashion's signature colors.
That same year High Priority Fashion started making its way by attending pop up shops. Each month she was at a different event setting up a table to sale her t-shirts. This is where she would sale most of her t-shirts. She would take pictures with her customers, talk to them about how she got started, and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
Shortly after, she started creating buzz outside of the state it was originally created in.
High Priority Fashion's buzz transcended borders, reaching places like California, Texas, S. Carolina, Detroit, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Florida, marking a significant milestone for iamkeyia's career. The realization that her brand was making it's way in states she had never visited left her in awe, highlighting the widespread impact and recognition of her brand.
As customers proudly showcased themselves in her clothing, sharing pictures and videos that rippled across social media, iamkeyia witnessed the organic growth and increased attention to her brand.
In February 2022, iamkeyia embraced a significant milestone, taking High Priority fashion to Baltimore as a featured designer in a fashion show during CIAA weekend. Navigating the unknown without a blueprint, she attended model calls, selected her runway models, and witnessed their rehearsals. This venture showcased her determination, expanding her vision and stepping out on faith to explore new horizons.
Receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from fellow designers and attendees, iamkeyia basked in the success of the fashion show. Overwhelmed with joy, she shed tears of happiness, realizing that what began as a dream was now materializing before her eyes, a testament to her dedication and the impact of High Priority Fashion.
Her journey proves that dreams can manifest into reality through dedication, hard work, and a steadfast belief in one's vision.
Through her event "My Breakthrough Season," iamkeyia orchestrated a breakthrough of her own, elevating to new heights. With a diverse panel of entrepreneurs sharing their journeys, interactive Q&A sessions, pop-up vendors, a vibrant atmosphere with a host, a DJ, photographer, and more, the event became a resounding success.
The overwhelming support and positive feedback reflected not just the success of the event but also iamkeyia's pride in achieving a significant breakthrough in her entrepreneurial journey.
High Priority Fashion hasn't stopped making a way to breakthrough the clothing industry. Getting significant attention, iamkeyia found herself featured on local podcasts and Big Heffs Radio Show, a notable accomplishment.
During these interviews, she shared insights into her success, the genesis of High Priority, her entrepreneurial journey, life balance, and imparted valuable advice to others. The recognition for her relentless hard work and dedication brought overwhelming gratitude, marking yet another milestone in her journey.
Demonstrating her commitment to giving back, iamkeyia donated t-shirts to a women's shelter, aiming to empower and uplift recipients. Despite COVID limitations preventing direct interaction, the gesture reached the women through management.
Additionally engaging her social media community with a trivia giveaway showcased her creativity, fostering a sense of connection. Beyond giveaways, she extends her support by offering advice and aiding in the growth of others' brands. For iamkeyia, giving back is not just a gesture of gratitude but a meaningful way to reciprocate the support from her dedicated followers, essential for her brand's growth.
A High Priority T-shirt made an unexpected appearance on Fox 8 News, featuring a woman being seen wearing the brand at the Bike to Unite Against Gun Violence. The event took place in Cleveland, Ohio. This brought a wave of excitement and happiness. The odds of such spontaneous visibility underscored the organic reach and impact of iamkeyia's clothing line, adding another surprisong and joyful chapter to her journey.
