Please introduce yourself, what you do, why you do it, and what you want people to know about you.
At 26, Ciara has already worn quite a few hats while establishing herself as a prominent content creator and style influencer. With a bold yet refined, masculine yet feminine, and “neo-nostalgic” approach, she focused on defining one thing: “The New Mixx”. Thus, her brand was born.
Currently completing her B.S.B.A. in Marketing, Ciara utilizes the skills she gained during her 4½ year tour in the United States Navy in unexpected ways. Her infusion of fine tailoring with the southern charm of her hometown (Chattanooga, TN) has become notably recognizable.
However, her goal has always been clear to her. “I wanted The New Mixx to not only be an outlet for myself but to bring any form of inspiration for anyone looking to transform or empower themselves.” Even though the phrase, degendering fashion isn’t new, she uses it to show her audience that you can wear whatever you want, when you want, as long as you’re happy.
What qualities makes you different and unique from everyone else in the industry?
Being a Black woman, who identifies as a lesbian in the noted “menswear/womenswear” niche, I share a unique perspective that most do not have. There are a ton of menswear and womenswear creators, however not many teeter on the line of both worlds.
My page showcases my versatility, femininity, yet masculine, and the ability to switch between fitted suits and casual ensembles.
Describe THAT moment when you realized you wanted to do what you do now. Who did you tell first? What has it been like since that moment?
THAT moment is easily described as when I tried to find someone who looked like me that gave the tips/tricks that I do now. In the end, there wasn’t much.
The first person that comes to mind is my wife, Andraia. She’s encouraged me to be the person I am today in regards to my style and showing my true self via social media and throughout life.
The next that comes to mind is my friend, Bradley. He helped me to come up with the name “The New Mixx”. He and I served in the United States Navy together and he always lived his life as he wanted and I aspired to have the confidence he had. He pushed me when it came to creative ideas and has been one of my biggest rocks.
Lastly, would be my mom. With every conversation, she encourages me to not conform to what was perceived as “normal” in the everyday media. She encouraged me to keep pushing boundaries and myself.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve had to face and how did you overcome it?
The two biggest that come to mind are doubt and acceptance. Once I realized that I was living my life for me and only me it was the key, I couldn’t be stopped. I started to gain confidence and quickly realized that I was made this way for a reason. That confidence grew into my personality and eventually translated into my style.
I took those challenges with this mindset: “One door closes and another one opens”.
If you had to pick the TOP 3 people you’d want to meet that could take your career (or business) to the next level…who would those 3 people be?
- Ashlyn Harris: Not just because of her style, but she’s done wonders with showcasing her style and being a top-tier entrepreneur.
- Marie Forleo: She’s not only an entrepreneur but someone who is creative and versatile with her businesses.
- Eric Thomas: Or also known as E the Hip Hop Teacher is a motivational speaker, author, and gives high-energy speaking engagements.
