Shop Small: 5 gifts supporting creators of Color in KC (KC Gift Guide)
November 23, 2022 | Nikki Overfelt Chifalu
Editor’s note: This feature is the third in Startland News’ five-part holiday gift guide showcasing Kansas City makers and their products. Check out the featured maker below, then keep reading for five gift ideas to get started.
When she was 14, Kyana Bowers unwrapped a Christmas gift that ignited a lifetime love. The Kyana Laine designer received her first sewing machine and she’s been making clothes ever since, she said.
“That’s when I made my first pair of wide-leg pants,” she explained. “I had a home-ec class. Because I’m tall — I’m 5-foot-10 — I’ve never been able to find clothing that fits me. So that’s how it all began.”
Under her recently-launched Kyana Laine label, Bowers — who is a business development officer at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City — makes custom sports teams skirts, wide-leg pants, and aprons, including Chiefs, Royals, KU, and MU, plus teams outside of KC (30 percent off for Black Friday).
For those who aren’t big sports fans, she also sells other colorful-print designs (10-15 percent off for Black Friday).
Supporting local makers of color when selecting gifts is especially important for exposure, Bowers said.
“Let people know that we have a variety of retail products available,” she continued. “Just being able to spread the word.”
Click here to check out more gift ideas from Kansas City makers.
5 gifts supporting creators of Color in KC
Kyana Laine Sports Team Skirts – Full-Length $315, Mid-Length $245, Mini $200 – and Wide-Leg Pants — $315
These custom, made-to-order designs are perfect for the classy sports fan. They will walk around Arrowhead Stadium or Mizzou Area in one-of-a-kind style. The brand offers a variety of skirts in classic prints to wear in the office or on a night out on the town
For the non-skirt wearing sports fans, Kyana Laine also has aprons ($75) to kick your kitchen-style up a notch. For Black Friday, all custom designs are 30 percent off.
Click here to shop Kyana Laine online.
Whitney Manney X’s and O’s Napa Leather Fanny Pack — $170
This KC-designed, street art-inspired fanny pack will make anyone cool enough to hang out with the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Hands-free in luxury is the way to be, according to the product’s description.
Click here to shop WM Studio online.
Related: How one KC designer’s life got flipped-turned upside down by a call from ‘Bel Air’
Culture Thread KC East Side Tee — $30
The perfect gift to rep your favorite side of the city. Show off your Kansas City spirit through this luxury streetwear design brand.
Available at Black Pantry. Click here to shop Culture Thread online.
Kyrie’s Creations Bows — $8/$12
These handmade bows make an adorable gift for the little one in your life. Inspired by the maker’s own baby, they are made with love right here in KC.
Available at Shop Local KC. Click here to shop Kyrie’s Creations online.
Associated Humanity Love Heals Sweatshirt — $60
‘Tis the season for love and giving back. Associated Humanity prides itself on connecting clothes with cause, so 25 percent of the proceeds from this crewneck goes to The Halo Foundation, which supports and provides resources to homeless youth.
Available at Made in KC. Click here to shop Associated Humanity online.
Bonus (Stocking Stuffer Idea): Fieldsville Seasonings and Rubs — $12
These KC-made spices make a great gift for the foodie or hostess with the mostess in your life. Each seasoning blend is named after a member of the Fields family and their flavorful personality.
Available at Made in KC. Click here to shop Fieldsville online.
More ideas from the 2022 Gift Guide
5 gifts for people who are always cold
5 gifts for someone who needs a little self-care — even if that’s you
5 gifts for the KC sports fans on your ‘nice’ list
5 gifts made locally that don’t scream ‘Kansas City’
This story is possible thanks to support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, a private, nonpartisan foundation that works together with communities in education and entrepreneurship to create uncommon solutions and empower people to shape their futures and be successful.
For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect at www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn
Featured Business
2022 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Photos: Innovation Exchange returns with Top KC Startups to Watch celebration
So … What’s your spirit animal? Eleven startup founders and leaders joined Startland News and the Kansas City Startup Foundation on stage Tuesday for a rebooted Innovation Exchange experience — complete with casual conversation, jazz and few unexpected queries. Saluting the Top Kansas City Startups to Watch in 2018, the rapid-fire, Q&A-style event showcased the…
City gave into fear, failed the test on innovation with Airbnb vote, councilman says
Kansas City’s move Thursday to prohibit short-term rentals in large portions of the city sent a clear message to entrepreneurs with disruptive ideas and technology, Quinton Lucas said: “Not In My Backyard.” “I don’t know why a city that has so many innovators and that’s buzzing, that’s exciting — and frankly doesn’t always have…
Mycroft hits crowdfunding goal in hours, raises $400K for Mark II
Mycroft’s Mark II crowdfunding campaign raised eight times its goal — and the tech firm is still counting. The Kansas City-based startup set out to raise $50,000 on Kickstarter and garner support from early adopters for its voice assistant product Mark II — similar to Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri or Microsoft’s Cortana. Mycroft “blew through”…
Negro leagues’ only three women players inspire ‘Beauty of the Game’ by KC designer Cherry
Toni Stone, Connie Morgan and Mamie Johnson — the only three women to play in the Negro baseball leagues — remain an inspiration to female entrepreneurs in male-dominated industries some 50 years later, said Thalia Cherry. “It’s still important for us to carve out a great space for ourselves, a great niche, and do the…