At CNK, it's so important to use our platform to elevate, empower, and inspire others. The best way to accomplish that is by connecting with different women of all walks of life - to tell their story. There are so many amazing women in our community, and all of them have a unique journey to share.

With the majority of us at home, we are tapping into our cozy style vibes and it was only right that we link up with designer Leah Kirsch. She is uniting all comfort queens with her namesake brand that infuses feminine style with the importance of individuality and confidence. As Leah hails from the city that never sleeps, NYC, her apparel is for the everyday woman who transitions between multiple hats on any given day. Comfort is a major key and style does not have to be sacrificed.

We sat down with Leah to connect the dots through creativity to business to owning authenticity. Check out Leah’s Chick Chat below as we dive into the birth of her vision, the power of womanhood, and how femininity and strength do co-exist.

THE 411 ON LEAH.

In 2013, I was living in an apartment in the Bronx and studying finance in college - a “safer” route than my first choice of graphic design, at least according to my father. Before being a content creator was even a thing, I started sharing my outfits and my life in NY on Instagram. I quickly realized that I was essentially selling other brand’s clothes and that I’d rather start my own.

The Leah Kirsch brand started really naturally. I taught myself graphic design by watching YouTube videos in the library after studying for finals. I reached out to a few people to find a screen printer who would start with small quantities. I was already building websites as a side job in college, so I was able to put together my own. As someone who has always had a pretty loud voice and a lot to say, I started integrating some of my messages into the apparel I was making. I’m also really lucky to have an amazing, strong, ethnically diverse group of friends who modeled for me initially. I’ve lived all over the place since I was born, from Germany to Singapore to a few cities in the US, so it is especially important that diversity is reflected in my content.

LEAH ON PERSONAL STYLE. GET COMFY.

My personal style is forever COMFY. I believe everyone should feel truly comfortable in their clothes so they can focus less on their outfit and be free to be present for the important things. When we’re comfortable, our confidence is reflected in how we carry ourselves and the way we speak. A lot of men’s fashion already has this advantage over women’s—  so in my personal style and in the clothing I design, I find myself using the essence of men’s fashion and incorporating it into women’s fashion in a way that feels intuitive and still feminine. I love strong, bold gender-neutral colors, and I’ll never get over the mix of black and white and red together. And of course, the classics that will always be staples in my closet: 1’s and Uptowns. 

CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF…

Living in New York for so long, comfort is key for efficiency. Walking, jumping on and off the subway, and climbing stairs are all part of daily life. I knew that in order to be successful, I couldn’t just keep up with the hustle, I needed to be able to do more in a day than my peers were doing. Even back when I used to party and we’d go to clubs in the city, I knew I’d have a better time if I didn’t have to worry about spraining an ankle in Loubs. I never wanted to be held back by my outfit, but I also wanted to feel feminine and confident in what I was wearing. The city pushed me to find and create outfits that could balance both sides of who I am. 

LEAH ON DESIGN PROCESS + MESSAGING.

Function is fashion and fashion is function. It's 2020 - anything is possible. We can be functional and still be cute!

My brand message has been simple since day one. Every piece of clothing we create is to empower women to feel bold, confident, and unapologetically themselves. We create comfortable, everyday clothes — that don’t sacrifice style — so that women can focus on the things that really matter in life. 

When you’re unapologetically yourself, that’s ultimately the sexiest, coolest version of yourself that you can be. You don’t have to wear something tight or revealing to be “sexy”. When you’re physically comfortable, you feel good. And when you feel good, you’re free to be yourself. When you’re your truest self, that’s when you’re going to make real moves in your life and in our world. Last thing: if you think it’s cool, and you wear it like it’s cool - it’s fucking cool, sis. 

PUT MY THING DOWN, FLIP IT, AND REWORK IT…

The second I slip something on, immediately my mind goes to what I’d do to alter it. I’m always like, “Oh, this should be like this” or, “Let’s see what would happen if we made a cut here.” It’s a very natural, intuitive feeling for me to see things that have already been made and want to push it a step further. It’s a mix between curation and creation. There’s also something so incredibly special about collecting or wearing unique items that no one else has. As someone who has always considered myself to be a little bit different, wearing something one-of-a-kind is the perfect expression of my self-identity. Every woman is unique, and she should feel like she has the outfit to match.

LEAH’S BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS.

1. Get to know yourself… inside out and from zero to 100. In order for your brand to stand out, it needs to be authentic, which will only happen if it’s an extension of your true self. 

2. Tap into your resilience. You’ll need tenacity and zeal no matter what industry you’re diving into. 

3. Never stop learning. Ask questions, listen, and follow your fear.

4. You’re a strong ass bitch. Trust yourself.  

WHAT DOES ‘SNEAKHER’ CULTURE MEAN TO YOU?

Women are hella strong, resilient, and powerful. We’re capable of doing - or wearing - anything men can, and more. As women, it’s important for us to come together to learn from one another, support one another, and lift each other up.

Keep up with all things Leah Kirsch through her INSTAGRAM + WEBSITE.