We had the good fortune of connecting with Adoniah Gabrielle and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Adoniah, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
As someone who as always beem creative or artistic, it was never really a question of whether I would pursue a career in the arts, but more of what specifically I should choose. God choose to give me many talents in the artistic and creative department, so all of these talents I seek to use to, in some way, reveal who Jesus is to others. The ARTS industry, specifically entertainment and fashion, God has given me a love and passion for, so I never was interested in doing anything else.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As previously stated, I do many things that are artistic or creative. I am a fashion designer, stylist, seamstress, and developing model. I am also a singer/song-writer, and I also write (stories, scripts,poems, etc.) Currently, I am in my fashion forward season, where fashion is the current focus. Recently, I had my second fashion show called “K.I.M.M’S in VOGUE: Fashion Show 2024”. The “K.I.M.M’S” in kimms in vogue stands for “Keep it Modest Modeling styles”, which is what sets my brand/movement apart. The focus of my fashion brand is modest in luxury fashion, and couture.
This idea originated from the fact that I always wanted to be a model, yet did not want to have to compromise my values while doing so. So, I decided that I wanted to create not only modest couture and formal clothing, but that I also wanted to create a safe place for other fashion creatives with values to be able to use their gifts and talents without being looked down upon, and their talent wasted. I also wanted to show other Christians the value of being modest in the way we dress. In short, I wanted to rebrand people’s automatic prejudice and idea of modesty.
As a model, I have been approached by many agencies, yet have decided not to compromise in regards to what I am looking for. After all, they want my talent and they make money off of it, therefore, I should be able to choose how I am represented and how my image will be portrayed. Without values, I most likely would have found an agency already, However, having a specific goal of being a godly influence in the industry has made me very straightforward with the fact that I am looking for an agency that will respect my values, and will also be able to help me grow at the same time. I want to encourage others to be able to stand for their values in the same way.
In the meantime, I have focused on small fashion projects, and bigger ones, like the K.I.M.M.’S in VOGUE fashion show. What sets this show apart, according to a former runway model, is that my show is more interactive. Instead of focusing on my designs in the last two shows, there were three categories, casual, red-carpet, and girl’s night out, and I showed an immodest version of an outfit, as well as the modest version (so each model came out twice). I also did spontaneous styling, styling some models on the spot, and we also had interactive fashion games that the audience participated in. At the end, I revealed my fashion collection.
In putting on this show, God really opened many doors for me, and showed me how people actually appreciate this difference in my brand/movement. Many people have reached out, expressing their interest and gratitude in the new niche of fashion I am looking to expand. Other designers from other states reached out as well, to express their interest in participating in future shows, which I had not considered previously! Because God opened so many doors, I am currently planning a winter fashion show, with even bigger dreams and ideas than before.
I have also recently partnered with an Italian company to create luxury shoes for my brand, and am currently campaigning to get enough sales to go into full production. Feel free to support me by checking out the shoes, which can be found at aliveshoes.com/adoniah!
Although it has not been easy, God has opened doors for me that never would have been opened without Him. Because of this, my dreams are slowly being taken to heights I never impagined.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One place I recently went with my friends in the harbor in Rockwall! Its square on the harbor, with hotels, a movie theatre, cute restaurants, and a fountain in the middle! You can also walk onto the dock and sit by a little lighthouse on the water, or have a picnic under the trees in the grassy areas.
Another place I like to go is Firewheel Mall. It’s an outdoor mall, and people love to walk around and hangout there! You can go to the movies there as well, get boba tea, get your nails done, or even go to a fancy restaurant like Glorias.
I also like to hang out at Strike Reel, which has movies, bowling, arcades, a restaurant, and more. (As you can probably tel…i love movies)
Although these are not large attractions, these are some fun, inexpensive things I do with friends.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Jesus! I would like to dedicate every thing I do and every part of who I am to the one who gave me my abilities in the first place. In my pursuit of developing all of my talents and gifts, I have constantly seen the part God has played in giving me opportunities, such as this one, to develop my talent and use them for his glory. Recently, God also worked through my parents to encourage me to continue the fashion movement/business that began when I was 12. They play a large part in who I am today. I would also love to shout out Mrs. Mary Tave, who Introduced me for ShoutoutDFW, and who also has been a large help in regards to the technical and organizational aspects of my fashion endeavors. Mrs. Suad Ausselin has also been a huge mentor in regards to the modelling aspect of my career.
Website: www.stylesbyadoniahgabrielle.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adoniah_gabrielle/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adoniah-gabrielle-987773192/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDfuKllowNFJrv9sWVy-zPQ
Image Credits
Suad Ausselien