Today we’d like to introduce you to Kg Lillian
Hi KG, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
The idea to create my version of a secondhand style box service came to me while sitting at the bar of a random Buffalo Wild Wings in between Texas and Missouri. I had already been sharing thrift trips, outfits and interesting finds on Tiktok, where I had an encouraging and kind audience growing that shared the same interests as me. When I began to see my comment section fill with requests to have me thrift for them, it felt so right. I had been working in banking while pursuing a career in music on the side, but I was struggling to afford studio time. Funding a passion with another passion? An outlet for creativity that could impact people in a positive way? The thought made my heart flutter. I had offered a similar service a couple of years prior on Instagram, creating a collection for just a handful of people. With that experience, I had an idea of a structure I could start with. So I announced the service, and thanks to the preexisting interest, immediately booked a couple of clients. When I finished the first collection for an amazing client named Ashley, I filmed what I had found for her and put a video together showcasing her inspiration images and what I had selected for her. I finished editing that video and posted it from an airport while waiting to board a flight. It uploaded and I immediately had to turn my phone on airplane mode. I sat on that flight without a clue that the video would have over 700,00 views when I landed. I had hundreds of messages from people who loved the collection and wanted to purchase one for themselves! As I began reading them, I took in story after story from people looking for something to spark joy in them. From people who had accepted new jobs they wanted to feel ready for, to people seeking a wardrobe that liberated them from versions of themselves they no longer identified with, to abusive relationship survivors that wanted me to be a part of their fresh start. I was moved to tears. From the very start of this service, it’s never just been about clothes. It’s about people and their stories, and it’s been an honor to connect with them through interpreting styles they’re drawn to and inspired by.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I was surprised by what hit me the hardest in my journey with style boxes. I suppose that’s what challenges tend to do; sneak up on you. I received such an incredible outpouring of appreciation and admiration for style boxes immediately, so you’d think my confidence would have quadrupled. Instead, the awareness of the number of eyes on me allowed the perfectionism I’ve known my entire life to creep in and fill my mind with malicious thoughts of self-doubt. I began to feel that nothing I did could possibly be good enough and questioned every decision I was making. It took such a toll on my mental health that I took a step back from style boxes earlier this year. I’m extremely lucky to have an incredible support system who kept me from giving in completely to those feelings, and thanks to those around me I’ve overcome those thoughts of doubt. I told my best friend earlier this year, “I feel like I’m cosplaying someone cool and capable on the internet.” And she replied, “what do you think anyone is doing?” Here I was receiving these beautiful stories of vulnerability, but not allowing myself the same safe space. I’m grateful to have good people in my life to remind me to give myself the grace I give others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter, content creator, and style box curator. I’m most known for my secondhand style boxes where I interpret someone’s inspiration board and taste preferences and translate that into a collection of garments and accessories sourced secondhand. Through all of my endeavors, I’m most proud of my story telling, which is showcased in both my style box reveal videos and my songwriting. While I took a break from releasing music the past few years, I’m excited to reintroduce that part of myself to the community I’ve found in my online audience.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something that not everyone in my community knows about me is that I started my creative journey in an indie pop band when I was still in high school. I grew up in a small town in Missouri and moved to Austin, TX when my band won an international competition that funded our debut album, and we felt that it was time to relocate to a music and art centered environment. It was through my young years of performing, making connections and writing and releasing music that I developed a sense of who I could be as a creative professional. That shaped the ambitious and tenacious mindset I have about pursuing creative opportunities now. When my band split up, I released solo music for a little while but it wasn’t long before I was comparing my previous journey with the band to what I was accomplishing solo. This poisoned my relationship with songwriting and I withdrew from sharing anything. When my style boxes first became popular, I surprisingly felt misunderstood. Like, “these people aren’t even seeing the part of me I care about most!” It was easier to share my interest and expression in clothing because I held it less close to my heart than music. But of course – people can only connect with what you present to them. I hindered myself from making those connections with music because I had become overprotective of it. I now realize my style boxes and my music are not in competition with one another… I had created that illusion in my head. I no longer feel misunderstood when someone thinks of style boxes when they think of me, I feel proud. And I’m equally proud to present new music for the first time in a long time next year. We should celebrate the multifaceted aspects of our creativity. We don’t have to limit ourselves to any one thing.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @kglillian
- Other: @kglillian (Tiktok)
Image Credits
Live Photo (with guitar) by Alan Shawgo
