Keya Martin took a brave, bold leap of faith from corporate America to follow her passion. Said passion led her to Italy, rubbing elbows with the best Italian manufacturers to assist in making her ideas and dreams the reality that is now Keeyahri Luxury Shoe Designs. Martin’s designs have graced the feet of well-known celebrities and high-powered fashion influencers alike. She currently has a collaboration with Zerina Akers, the influential stylist behind Beyonce’s fly, swag dripping looks. The two have partnered together to create the Zerina Thigh High Boot with an architecturally inspired heel of the Ribbon Chapel in Hiroshima Japan. Continue to “step” into your greatness Keya, the best is yet to come!
To whom or what do you owe inspiration for establishing a women’s luxury shoe line?
I received my bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University and after graduating and working in a corporate construct, I could not imagine myself in a career moving up the corporate ladder. So, I decided to come up with a list of things I was highly passionate about. Dogs and food were on the list. And then there were shoes! I always had a love for shoes. I do not have any fashion training and do not claim to be an artist, but I decided to sketch and develop some ideas I had in my head. Once I accomplished that, I shared the designs with my friends, and they became interested. My next step was figuring out how to create the samples, but through researching online, I could not find a factory to produce the samples and was unsuccessful. It was through the advice of a fashion designer I was acquainted with that suggested I attend a tradeshow. I knew I wanted to do something handcrafted and the best quality and craftmanship coupled with the best materials, so I found a trade show in Italy. I flew to Italy and attended the show, with my laptop and business cards walking booth to booth, showing them my ideas and designs and that is how it all got started.
As we have begun to adjust to a new normal, how has the pandemic and COVID-19 impacted your business?
Last year, my business started very slow and it was challenging. As a Black designer you are just developing, and the development costs to run a business can be pretty immense. Once everything was shut down, the factories ceased shipping out my inventory and sales at that point came to a halt. I decided to reach out and connect to my customers personally that I had had previously to ask them and understand what they wanted in footwear and design. I decided to take time out, do more research, take online classes and seminars, dig deep into my business –to learn more about the back end, and understand where I was going. Who was my customer? Where does she shop? And what is she looking forward to? It was an educational year for me, preparing me for the development of next steps.
If you could offer any words of wisdom or advice to an emerging shoe designer wanting to be successful in the fashion industry, what guidance would you convey to them?
Many people on Instagram have direct-messaged me asking how I got started, and most are afraid to take that first step. Initially, I rushed my business without understanding who my customer was and if my designs would be received. If I could start over, I wish I could have put my designs out to get more feedback and reception. Also, I would want people to dig down deep and understand the business aspect of the industry. Join groups and organizations. Take courses. Attend online webinars and network. Talking to different people is how I grew my business and made connections and that catapulted it to the next level.
