Pittsburgh designer Kiya Tomlin recognized in Oprah’s ‘Favorite Things’
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Kiya Tomlin grew up watching “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
The crowd drew Tomlin’s attention.
“I always marveled at her audience,” said Tomlin, a fashion designer and apparel manufacturer with a studio in Etna. “They were the best dressed. They always had their hair and makeup done. They looked great.”
Now, Oprah Winfrey is taking notice of Tomlin.
The celebrity talk show host, television producer and actress selected Tomlin’s Twisted Tee as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things.”
The top has an asymmetrical design with a subtle twist at the neck. It’s described as “roomy at the top and fitted through the waist, perfect for tucking in or leaving out.”
The tee is one of 110 gifts chosen by Winfrey. It’s available on Amazon.com and Tomlin’s website.
On her website, Winfrey posted this: “After this past year, I think we all deserve some surprises and delights for the holiday season.”
She said what was extra important was to celebrate small businesses, women-owned brands, and items created by people of color. She also invited shoppers to not only buy for others but to treat themselves as well.
Winfrey, who tried Tomlin’s shirt in red, described it as “comfort and sassiness. That’s what this smart-looking bamboo-blend jersey T-shirt has.”
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Tomlin, who recently debuted an NFL officially licensed Pittsburgh Steelers collection, describes her line as inspired to “help busy women feel comfortable, confident & beautiful all day.”
Tomlin’s background is in custom design. She creates for women of all shapes and sizes. Fashion is about feeling good about yourself, she said.
“I can create comfortable clothes that inspire confidence,” she said. “That confidence is what makes a woman truly beautiful.”
The public relations firm Tomlin works with sent information about the fashion line to Winfrey. Winfrey’s company reached out to try one of the shirts in red. This isn’t a first for Tomlin. Her line was recognized in Winfrey’s O Magazine in 2015 for the publication’s list of comfortable things.
“I design for the Oprah Winfrey woman,” Tomlin said. “I am inspired by those women who live life fully. What I love about Oprah is she is genuine and is authentic. She has a really good heart.”
As soon as the list was released, Tomlin said the shirt sold out immediately. Tomlin knew she had made the list two months before, so she started making more shirts. She designs, manufactures and sells from the same space.
“I am glad she picked that shirt,” Tomlin said. “We had a decent amount of inventory. Having manufacturing in-house definitely helps. We don’t have as many supply chain issues as if we would have if we had to wait for someone else to make it and ship it.”
Tomlin is also making a full-length gown skirt for Winfrey.
“That’s a Christmas present for her,” Tomlin said.
Tomlin’s already received a gift from Winfrey.