Kai Davis
Who Is Kailinciaga?
Chances are that if you’re a part of the emerging fashion scene in Atlanta, GA, then you’ve probably heard or seen the name Kailinciaga, but as you’re reading this, I want you to know who Kai Davis is. Kai Davis, best known as Kailinciaga on most social media platforms, is a 23-year-old emerging fashion event curator and creative director based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Kai’s Background
Originally born in Philadelphia, Kai moved to Atlanta, a city in which he would quickly build a name, and for good reason. Kai’s roots were always rooted in fashion as his early foundation was built upon modeling for clothing brands in the city for most of 2023. Early on, he noticed there was something missing in the clothing scene in Atlanta, underappreciation, and not enough spotlight in an already oversaturated industry. With some solution-based thinking, Kai planned to become the light that every brand in Atlanta could benefit from. There’s no doubt that these clothing brands were good, but as we know, just good enough won’t scale your brand to the heights that every clothing brand owner dreams of reaching. The main issue resided in growth and marketing; once Kai realized this…everything changed.
Early Events
In September 2024, Kai introduced his first-ever fashion show, titled the “Underground Fashion Show,” for not just clothing brands and designers that sought an opportunity to showcase their passion, but also an event for the city of Atlanta to come together. A total of 5 brands were showcased: Girls From Akasha, Erthlost, Triple Four, Protect Our Youth, and Lost In Atl678. After his first runway show, the underground fashion scene wouldn’t stand the name underground for long. Social media was buzzing, and it had Kai’s name written all over it. Kai had all the momentum he needed to create a consistent wave of influence for the fashion community in Atlanta. Just five months later, Kai hosted what he had no idea would be his biggest runway series, Dress To Impress. Centered around the famous Roblox minigame where users dress their character based upon a specific category, ranging from anime, gothic, and formal, just to name a few, while judges and players vote for the best styled outfit. Atlanta had seen nothing of this concept before. By the time word spread, Kai’s event attendance grew from under 100 to over 300 guests. The audience ranged from supporters of models to individuals interested in fashion, and some who never even had zero knowledge about fashion, an opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind runway show, deeming this event a huge success in my book, ultimately, the transformation from Kai Davis to Kailinciaga. Kai’s 2024 run was just a glimpse of what he has accomplished today.
Shot by @nyjisha and @jiggs.pics on Instagram
The Rise of Kai
With multiple runway shows under his belt, he expanded his presence in the community through charity events and open mixers. Kai quickly became the glue that the city needed. Noticable events taking place included Dress to Impress University, where he hosted a runway show in an abandoned schoolhouse in the heart of Atlanta. Every floor represented something different, but the common theme here was opportunity. Rooms filled with audiences to watch models gracefully walk the halls of spectators, who gained an education on fashion. Other rooms contained live artwork of other Atlanta creatives like BIB and Ashaki, and even pop-up shops for brands and other artists to expand their network.
Photos shot by @Suplexpro on Instagram
The Grocery Spot Runway Show (Aisle of Style)
If you know fashion history, then you know about Chanel’s F/W 2014 grocery store runway show. When I first heard about Kai hosting a grocery store runway show, the Chanel show was what my mind swiftly gravitated towards, but if you know Kai, then you know that this was self-inspired and a way to involve the community. The grocery store was no regular store, but essentially a food bank for the community to use as they needed. With the show selling out, obviously, it was deemed a successful event before models even stepped off the runway. The real success wasn’t on the runway; it was the 220+ families that were fed due to the proceeds from a sold-out runway show. As little as a $5 donation went so far as feeding families for weeks to months, even mixing charity and fashion.
Photos shot by Liam Barbeau
Outside the Runway
Though Kai is heavily involved in the fashion scene, there are also other notable events that he hosts that bring the community together. Events like Atlanta’s Got Talent provided the community with a night of raw talent, ranging from comedians, poets, and even music artists, and an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a welcoming crowd. Kai’s Mix N Thrift allowed all fashion lovers a space to network and build their personal brand while being able to shop for fashion at an affordable price.
Photos Shot by @0culvrr on Instagram
Inspirations? Forget About It!
I asked Kai personally if he had any inspirations or mentors, and his answer didn’t surprise me at all. At first, the answer was nobody; again, no surprise regarding his answer being that Kai is one of the most self-driven individuals I have ever met. But one name crossed my mind before he could even utter the words, Pharrell Williams, alike in so many ways, not from a designer standpoint, but the individuality. Kai expressed how he appreciates Pharrell for preaching the gospel of remaining authentic and remaining true to oneself, even if it means not being accepted by the general public. I believe wholeheartedly that Kai’s events are a mirror of his personal values, authenticity, individuality, and acceptance of diversity.
A Middle Finger To An Opinion
One piece of advice that Kai wanted me to leave for all the aspiring creatives out there is don't let anyone tell you that you can't accomplish anything. Nobody else's opinion matters, especially if they aren't in the same field as you or haven't made it to the levels that you so aspire to be on. Take every opinion with a grain of salt, says Kai, continue to block out intruding noise because if you're being hated on, then you're doing just what you're supposed to be doing….Speaking of authenticity, I was told by Kai that if he could work with one brand right now, it would be Walter Van Beirndonck. A brand that values authenticity, wild personality, and a middle finger to opinions, much like Kai. It’s hard to find people like Kai, as there are brands like Van Beirndonck that strike a perfect balance between organized themes and your true creative thoughts and expression.
Van Beirndonck Runway Collection
Expansion of Events
Kai hopes to expand his events outside the Atlanta area, but if being honest, he already has. Collaborating on a runway show titled “SSSilent 7ibrary, a well-curated fashion show inside of a schoolhouse library for seven online by Jalen Hayes, previewing in New York during NYFW this past February. A notable name that was featured as a model in this show is none other than emerging underground rapper Bby Kell. Another huge accomplishment comes after being able to orchestrate a runway show titled C0urt C0ture by 00DVSN in Nashville, TN, the brand’s take on a basketball court runway show. I understand where Kai’s true intention is when he refers to expanding his events outside of Atlanta, the interest in global expansion and not just the Americas, something I do not doubt in my mind that he will soon accomplish.
Runway looks designed and styled by Jalen Hayes. Owner and designer for sevenonline. (Silent 7ibrary NYFW Runway Show) Photos Shot by @0culvrr on Instagram
C0urt C0uture Runway Show by 00DVSN In Nashville, TN. Photos by @imran.pixels on Instagram
Kai’s Current Stance on The Fashion Scene?
Emerging fashion is lacking structure. “There needs to be more thought-out ideas, fewer thrown-out projects, and more articulated projects. We’re supposed to be more focused on the art of fashion rather than the dollar value, says Kai.
Special Thank You
Special thanks to Kai for allowing me to have the opportunity to cover his story. I’d be lying if I didn’t say he, in a way, allowed me to start my fashion career. From me walking in my first fashion show, styling for models in his runway show, and exploring different avenues that I wasn’t confident enough to explore until I had been placed around other creatives in the fashion industry, whom I met at some of Kai’s events. I am extremely proud of Kai’s growth, and I cannot wait to see him continue to unite the city of Atlanta and others in the world under fashion.
Kai’s Socials
https://www.instagram.com/kailinciaga?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Written By Jayden Lyons
