Getting to know Kelly Cunningham

Alexus Brown

Kelly Cunningham, the founder of the Haus Magazine, is a Danville, VA native. In addition to founding the Haus Magazine, she is also the founder of Danville Fashion Week, which is produced by the non-profit, the Haus of Fashion, inc., where she is the executive director and the founder of the Fashion Haus Studio.

Grateful for how far she has come, Kelly expresses how the Haus Magazine was something she wanted to produce for a long time. Kelly says, "I have been trying to start for a while now, but of course, timing is everything. I just believe where we are creative, sometimes, we are overlooked. If we had an outlet that we knew could be published quarterly, it would give us time to collect our thoughts, find a way to be creative, and get it out to the world." Kelly says there are about 2-3 other magazines that she is aware of in the Danville area; however, the Haus Magazine is the first inclusive African American digital fashion publication in Danville. The first issue launched had over 500 clicks, and those people read the magazine in its entirety, expanding beyond the United States.

Kelly thanks the River District Association for selecting her as a winner of Dream Launch to help her launch the Fashion Haus in the downtown area. The Fashion Haus has now been open for the past 2 years. They provided everything that a beginner to an advanced photographer would need. Kelly says throughout this journey, she has found her niche. Because she has found her calling, she is looking to expand her space to focus more on a mother agency, so she can provide more amenities for her clientele.

Danville Fashion Week is one of the biggest things she is proud of. She founded the organization in 2016 and pivoted to a 501c3 non-profit organization, allowing her to accept more donations from the community, such as grants. Danville Fashion Week is her way of giving back to her community. For the first time last year, she saw a mother walking alongside her daughter, and she was crying because of how proud she was.

developing people who know how to be more confident within themselves. We are developing people that now realize this is something that they want to do as a career. This shows the people that we're in the network of helping them get there. Seeing some models, designers, hairstylists, and makeup artists where they started with me and then where they're at now is monumental, and I'm just grateful to be a part of that journey."

She expresses how last year did a number on her, but she is ready for Season 8 of Danville Fashion Week. In addition to Danville Fashion Week, she wants to step out of her comfort zone by expanding beyond Danville and into the Carolinas. "I can reach so many other people if I step outside of my comfort zone, if I step out of fearing the "what if…."

I'm looking forward to expanding in North Carolina and different parts of Virginia. You'll see more of me soon!"