Bold, passionate, and unapologetic! Seattle-born Howard University alum Kahlana Barfield-Brown began her career at InStyle Magazine as a fervid intern blazing her trail to ultimately becoming Beauty Director during her decade-long tenure.

It’s a desirable role in the world of fashion and beauty – if you have the guts, thick skin, and patience to make your mark, and Barfield ultimately fitted the bill. In a lane of her own, she made high-profile connections, advocated for Black creatives behind the scenes to showcase their talents, and became a media darling It-girl, who is in demand to share her expertise across the globe.

Barfield-Brown eventually transitioned into entrepreneurship, citing social media as her entry to take her talents to a next level. Her latest power-move is becoming Target’s first design partner of the retailer’s Future Collective Clothing Brand, and scoring her own exclusive line, KBBxTarget, currently in stores and online. Although this wife and mother of two daughters is indeed grateful for the life her hard work and dedication has afforded her. Home is truly where Kahlana’s heart is at the end of the day. No lights, no cameras, no action. Just family.

 In 2020, Essence Magazine dubbed you a “Style Icon Sprinkling Black Girl Magic Across the Globe.” How heavy is it to wear such a crown?

It honestly isn’t heavy. It is something I feel I have a responsibility to do! I am an unapologetic Black woman, my culture needs to bleed through in whatever I’m creating. It’s my purpose. A huge part of why I wanted to work in fashion and beauty is due to the fact that I felt my people were not being seen within this industry. As a Black woman, and moreover a dark-skinned Black woman, that is super important to me, and growing up, I didn’t feel as if I was “seen.”  I had amazing examples within my family, but publicly, there were not many figures who looked like me that were perceived as beautiful, or [were seen as] the ideal of what beauty and style is. I always said: “If you can see it, you can be it,” and I wanted to be THAT for young women who looked like me. The crown is not heavy.  I wear it with pride, I wear it with joy, and I wear it unapologetically!

You were the Beauty Editor of InStyle Magazine. May you share a high and a low during that segment of your career?

There were so many highs, and I truly loved my job! I started as an intern and worked my way up to Director, and it was a catalyst for what I do today as an entrepreneur in the industry. I worked in publishing at its prime and I was fortunate enough to be privy to so many amazing opportunities! One of my most memorable and favorite experiences was traveling to Bora Bora with the beauty brand Nars. François Nars has a private island in Bora Bora  and we were privileged to do a photo shoot there. It was such an amazing experience. François Nars for me, is someone in the beauty industry whom I have always admired. What I appreciate most is…he’s appreciated, acknowledged, and respected my culture. He has cultivated products that spoke to my culture, and consciously matched our plethora of skin tones. I have a personal relationship with him, and we connected. I feel as though he actually “saw me” as a Black editor.

Regarding an actual low, I would have to say that looking back, I think about being at the table but not always being heard. For myself, there were times maybe I didn’t speak up and use my voice during times when I should have.  I think it wasn’t necessarily a low that was put on me by them – it was myself! I felt like when I started to recognize my own power and use my voice, that’s when things became good. My experiences became meaningful and purposeful, and I had a place and was making a difference!

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned working in the fashion and beauty industry?

Your superpower is who you are –who you are genuinely. What you bring to the table is your perspective, your experience, your values, and what you align with. You must stand tall and firm and use your voice. Never mute that.

What is the boldest move in your career you’ve ever made unapologetically?

I wrote a story about colorism for InStyle entitled “Pretty for a Dark-Skinned Girl.” I talked about the Black experience and growing up as a dark-skinned Black woman and what my personal experience was like…encountering that phrase “pretty for a dark-skinned girl” and how that made me feel. I spoke on colorism and the challenges we face within our own community. I had to be vulnerable- publicly! To be able to write about that in a mainstream magazine and to be empowered by my higher-up to do so was nothing short of a privilege. This was not something I necessarily thought I could do… because I pondered, ”Is this the right market? Or the right audience? How will this be perceived in a mainstream magazine?” And she said: “No! I want you to tell this story.” So, I always felt so advantaged to have the support of being who I am at the table within these conversations in media and fashion. I had to be brave. It was my truth, and it was MY story.

How important is it for Black women to have a seat at the beauty and fashion table in media, and should we be happy to be there?

I think that they should be happy to have us there. First of all, you can’t talk about fashion or beauty and not recognize the cultural impact or influence that comes from Black culture. We start the trends. When you talk about hair, when you talk about nails…just style! Music! Sports! Everything is influenced by Black culture! I think as a Beauty editor to see trends that began to have a moment – I mean it was all rooted in my community. So much of my role at InStyle was to educate, and that was valued. I always say that more companies would have less problems if there were diversity deep within. You’re making sure your bases are covered and everyone is seen and heard. When there is only one culture at the table and others are not represented, problems arise. It is crucial for us all to be represented, but especially Black people, respectfully, as so much is influenced by our culture.

You said, “My true purpose in life begins when my 9-5 ends” and “Motherhood is the single most important role I will ever play.” When did this realization strike you?

My goal after college graduation was to climb the corporate ladder and to tackle my career at the highest level. As time transpired, I started to realize that the colleagues and associates around me prioritized their careers and didn’t have a personal life. Nor were they happy at home. Fashion and Beauty was literally their life. As much as I love it, it is not mine. I had to come to the realization that family, to me, is what mattered the most. I wanted to start a family and get married, and from there, my priorities started to shift. Balance was absolutely necessary. I had to be present in my home. I am a devoted wife and a mother raising two little Black girls who needed their mom beyond having an amazing career. 

If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Loyal.

IG: @kahlanabarfield

WEB: www.kahlanabarfieldbrown.com