UW-Stout fashion student creates clothing line for global company

UW-Stout student Kalia Moua is living out a practically lifelong dream.

The Eau Claire resident has created a 20-piece type of spring clothing an international fashion company has agreed to produce and sell.

Moua, who's majoring popular and retail, designed the line for SHEIN, a trendy, fast fashion e-commerce platform that provides women’s wear and men’s apparel and children’s clothes, accessories, shoes, bags and other fashion items. The business ships to over 220 countries and regions worldwide. With websites supporting the United States, Spain, France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Australia and the center East, SHEIN ships from many globally positioned warehouses.

“Fashion is definitely part of me,” Moua said. “Since I was about 7 years old, I knew the one thing I could see myself doing in the future was something with clothes. Until today, I still do not see myself doing other things but fashion.”

She traces her love of fashion to growing up in Eau Claire in regards to a block from a thrift store, where she'd shop with her family and even by herself.

“I would choose the most random clothing that my siblings would tease me about how weird I was,” recalled Moua, who continues to get unique items.

After making a thrift store find, Moua would alter the clothing, sometimes combining garments, to create unique pieces that expressed her fashion interests.

“My creations as a youngster were rarely successful because I didn’t discover how to sew and I was too impatient at hand sew,” Moua said. “I fondly remember that I would always make an effort to alter my clothes to match me or remove trims such as a zipper and then put in a newer and bolder zipper. I also recall shortening a maxidress right into a miniskirt.”

After starting at Chippewa Valley Technical College to complete her general education classes, Moua used in UW-Stout to earn her bachelor’s degree.

“I picked UW-Stout because it is affordable and it had been the closest school if you ask me which has a fashion design program,” Moua said. “I love all the technical concepts I am learning in every of my apparel classes. I believe the knowledge I have, and can continue to gain from these classes, is what employers are seeking.”

Last fall Moua was told by a pal who used to are a stylist for SHEIN about an opportunity to collaborate on a collection, and Moua quickly contacted SHEIN.