ISLAND
FASHION
Anastasia Rivers is the owner of Kisura’s Fashion. She is also the Producer and Executive Director of
Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend, a mother, a grandmother, a fashion designer in her own rights, and an
all-around business woman. She is located on the gorgeous island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands.
Q. What is Kisura’s Fashion?
Q. What is Fashionlinkvi?
A. It is an online boutique for curvy plus, fashion-minded women. It is
the first licensed fashion retail website in the Virgin Islands. We carry a
variety of unique and fabulous clothing for all occasions at affordable
prices.
A. Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend is not only a plus size fashion affair,
it is a three day event filled with entertainment for everyone. International
and local recording artists are scheduled to provide entertainment
between fashion segments. Fashionlinkvi is all about linking the United
States Virgin Island (U.S.V.I.) together through fashion.
Q. How did Kisura’s Fashion start?
A. In the Virgin Islands we have a limited selection of fashionable plus
size fashion. So, in 2010, I launch Kisura’s Fashion to provide more
clothes for myself and for my community, and I offer same day door- to
- door delivery service to St. Croix residents, and free shipping for St.
Thomas and St. John. Shipping is available to other Islands and the main
land.
Q. Where did the name Kisura’s Fashion come from?
A. I needed to have a name that was going to be special, a name to
keep me going and motivated. To make me push myself. So I named it
after my granddaughter; “Kisura” the name means pretty lady.
Q. Can you see your granddaughter taking over the business?
A. My granddaughter likes to design; she also wants to be a veterinarian.
She can do both. She does not model, but she enjoys helping the
models backstage. I hope she continues this.
Q. How did Fashionlinkvi start?
A. I wanted to draw more attention to Kisura’s Fashion, I felt lost
among the entire clothing website. After launching St. Croix first home
shopping T.V. Program I realized I needed more plus size models and
designers, so I decided to produce a plus size fashion show, reaching
out to fabulous designers and models hair stylists, makeup artists and
photographers. Thus Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend was born.
Q. Is Fashionlinkvi only for females?
A. No, Big and Tall male models are welcome. After I started promoting
the event men would ask, “what about us?” We plan to return male
fashion to our inventory.
Q. What steps did you have to take to start your own fashion business?
A. I started searching online at fashion events and competition, While in
New York a friend of mine recommended MonifC for plus size fashion.
I was drawn to MonifC because of her Caribbean background and the
fact her mother was a designer like my mom. I followed her website;
how she did things and I created my own style that will work for Kisura’s
Fashion. MonifC has been Kisura’s Fashion Vendors since 2010. Initially
I planned to open a location store however; due to zoning issues I
launch Kisura’s Fashion retail clothing Website. Determination and my
willingness to take a chance has gotten me this far, as long as I have
health and strength I will continue because I Am doing what I love to do.
Q. What did you do before Kisura’s Fashion and Fashionlinkvi?
A. I had two other businesses before, and they didn’t work out. One was
a restaurant/nightclub and then another restaurant after. I like to entertain, and I like fashion. I coordinated many fashion events and fashion
shows. I helped raise money for Police Week. I decided produce my
own fashion shows, my love for fashion came from my mom. She was
a designer all the way back in the early 60s. She designed for people in
the neighborhood and made everyone’s clothes. Of course we wore her
latest fashion and one of kind pieces. My first business opened while I
was working for the Police Department. I would go from work straight
to the club. Then I wouldn’t leave there until late. It was a tiring cycle
that kept going, going, going. It got to be too much so I closed it. After
I retired I opened a small restaurant. That got too much because I found
myself working more than my employees. They got comfortable with
me because I am very motherly. My overhead was extremely high and I
wasn’t getting the support I needed.
Q. What are your goals?
A. My goal is to make St. Croix and the Virgin Island the fashion hub of
the Caribbean with the biggest plus size fashion show. To expand my
website, with hope to open a location store on St. Croix and St. Thomas.
2014 marked Fashionlinkvi Fashion Weekend event, FVIFW 2015 will be
bigger and better with new designers, plus size models and more.
Q. What does the word Emerge mean to you?
A: Emerge is an opportunity for Kisura’s Fashion and FVIFW to reach a
wider audience. I want to take my business to another level.
Models, designers, hair stylist, photographers, and makeup artist are
welcome to contact us at [email protected] for registration
info.
To keep up to date with Anastasia’s events and fashion visit www.
fashionlinkvi.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/anastasia-rivers/3a/40b/460
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: fashionlinkvi