Send KANIA to New York Fashion Week

Stacey’s Go fund me copy.  


My name is Stacey Bafi-Yeboa and I am the owner and designer of KANIA – Luxury Canadian Sweatshirts. Wearing KANIA is like wearing a sweatshirt or t-shirt everyday of your life.  From day to night, at work or to play, I’m not talking about walking around in your gym clothes, KANIA is beautiful fashionable pieces that are comfortable, yet stylish allowing you the freedom to move closer to your dreams.


My company KANIA was recently invited to present a fashion runway show at New York Fashion Week (NYFW).  This is the opportunity of a lifetime to present KANIA to a global market, it’s a dream come true… But as excited as I am, presenting a runway show at this world renowned event comes at a costly price of $150,000.00! Not an amount easily raised in such a short period of time. But, certainly, not impossible with your support!


My career started as a dancer on Broadway.  I was living in New York City and constantly looking for the perfect pieces to wear that blended dancewear with fashion.  There was nothing … it was from this point that KANIA was created!  


Founded 14 years ago in my childhood bedroom. I did not have a fashion design or business background but I was on a mission to fill a niche in the marketplace.  I hand sewed every piece, while my mom cut threads, my dad cut fabric and my then boyfriend now husband did quality control.  


From there it has been a roller coaster of highs and lows. In my mind I was always going to make it, but running a fashion design line is not easy especially in Canada. From finding manufacturing, sample sewers, cutters, sourcing fabrics, mills, zippers, printing, etc.  The more I strived the more I felt the industry closing many were relocating production overseas yet I still believe in the importance of remaining Canadian Made.


I have been told I make the business look easy… It may seem that way but it is not...  Three years ago, I almost closed, I wanted to stop. I felt I was working so hard but it was always a struggle. At the time my son was just born, I was managing a new diagnosis of severe post pregnancy hypertension, my manufacturers had gone out of business, I was overloaded with stress and anxiety … it felt unbearable.  It was a very dark time for me ... one I don’t talk about much.  


I found myself crying in my room and I looked at myself in the mirror and prayed for answers, seeking direction I asked Why should I keep going?  The answer was four simple words that have come to be the anchor for my perseverance,"I believe in me."


I continue to strive because I believe in me! My purpose, my business, my life. I want to be an example of the possibility to others.


Getting the invitation to present at NYFW means more than I can ever explain.  It's the perfect example of hard work, hustle and patience paying off. It’s a huge turning point!  I want to empower others to find the answers that lie within them, to keep going and not to give up. I want to encourage others to believe in themselves like “I believe in me”.
I want to thank you in advance for your support!  Your generous donation of any kind to help me make NYFW reality. Without the support of my family, friends and fans over the years I would not be where I am today.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love Stacey Bafi-Yeboa