About The Model
Full Name: KéNisha (Kaiye) Ruff
Age: 28
Occupation: Business owner of Marie Hunter Beauty and Styled By Kaiye, makeup artist, blogger & image consultant
Family: I have a 7-year-old son named Cash.
What inspired you to create the Marie Hunter Beauty cosmetics line?
Marie Hunter Beauty is centered around the motto “Confidence Speaks Volumes.” With that in mind, I wanted to create a line where women from all walks of life would be able to find a product or shade that makes them feel most confident.
Who’s Marie Hunter?
Marie Hunter is a combination of my middle name and my son’s middle name.
You grew up in Chicago. How did this big city upbringing influence your personal style and interest in fashion?
The never-ending amount of different types of personalities, style and cultures in bigger cities are amazing. They say, “Every day is a fashion show and the world is your runway” and you definitely get to experience that living in Chicago.
Who your biggest influences or role models, fashion-related or not?
Olivia Palermo, Kahlana Barfield Brown, Chrissy Teigen, the list goes on!
What brings you the absolute most joy in your day-to-day life?
First and foremost my son; finding out I was pregnant with him is what pushed me to pursue my dreams of working in the fashion and beauty industry. Second is being able to do what I’m most passionate about full time every day.
You have a personal phrase, “Welcome to my Glamourland.” Can you describe what that place means to you?
My Glamourland is my happy place. It’s where I can play dress up and be whomever I choose to be without caring what other people think. My style depends upon my mood, sometimes I feel edgy, sometimes I feel more girlish and in my Glamourland I can express my mood through my style.
What’s next for you and your businesses?
My ultimate goal is to expand Marie Hunter Beauty into a full cosmetic and skincare line—new products are in the works! My goal for Styled By Kaiye is to continue inspiring my followers with my personal style, growing my clientele and to someday create my own fashion line. In the meantime, I offer styling and beauty services at my office located on Madison’s Northside.
You are clearly doing what makes you happy. Any advice for women who also want to follow their dreams?
As cliché as it sounds, be fearless! There will never be a “right time” to follow your dreams, you just have to decide that you’re ready to take on the challenge. My entrepreneurial motto is “Dream it, work for it, speak it into existence. You are destined for greatness!”
How have your own your fashion tastes evolved?
While I am a true minimalist at heart, over the past couple of years I have ventured out of that comfort zone and I have added more color and prints/patterns to my wardrobe.
What’s your go-to outfit for work? Play?
My go-to outfits for work almost always include a blazer, skinny jeans and a cute pair of flats or heels. When it comes to play, I’m all about everything oversized and a pair of sneakers, I’m a tomboy at heart so I like to be comfy.
Give any girl a quick fashion tip:
Blazers and biker jackets are always the quick fix for any outfit. Accessories are important too, I’m personally not big on wearing jewelry, so I like to make a statement with a bold watch, hat, shoes or handbag.
Most common fashion mistake you see?
Leggings worn as pants. Leggings should be worn with longer garments such as tunics, oversized shirts and sweaters.
Fave part of the BRAVA photo shoot?
Making magic with a great team! My favorite outfit was the oversized lace detailed sweater with the denim shirt and jeans.
Check out Kaiye in trending fall fashions on pages 55-60 in the October 2016 issue, and at styledbykaiye.com.
