He died on New Yr’s Eve on the age of 56.
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Roneeka Nice grew up in Flint.
Like most younger girls in Flint within the mid-1990s and early 2000s, her coronary heart was set on carrying an authentic Tyrone Kirkland costume to her promenade.
“He was iconic. He was a trendsetter. He definitely set the stage,” he mentioned.
Nice is amongst 1000’s locally mourning the loss of life of Flint native and worldwide dressmaker Tyrone Kirkland of TKO Designs. Kirkland died on New Yr’s Eve in Flint at age 56.
He was a proficient designer. You’re positive to face out from the group in case you are fortunate sufficient to put on considered one of his authentic designs.
Kirkland opened a retailer in downtown Flint in 1995.
“Let’s carry New York and Paris to Flint, Michigan,” he mentioned on the time.
Brown mentioned it was an entire expertise.
“He taught me to stroll, to carry my shoulders again, so it was an expertise in itself,” he mentioned.
Twenty-five years in the past, Nice was trying to find the proper promenade robe when she had her first expertise of a Tyrone Kirkland TKO.
“, the objective, to be sincere, for the promenade was to avoid wasting sufficient cash in order that I may go to a session with Tyrone Kirkland,” Nice mentioned.
She described their first assembly as magical.
“As quickly as you walked within the door, he’d begin drawing and discuss to you about worth and equipment and present you shade swatches. And once you walked out of there you felt crucial,” Nice mentioned.
Kirkland, a Flint native, started drawing designs in highschool. Get inspiration from celebrities.
“Diana Ross, Sarah Vaughn, so many icons,” mentioned Dr. Tonya Bailey, Kirkland’s sister.
However, Bailey mentioned her greatest inspiration got here from residence.
“My mom,” he mentioned. “She’s a fashionista.”
Kirkland was recognized all through the world. He had his distinctive robes showcased on runways all over the world as a featured designer for Ebony Trend Honest.
Funeral providers for Kirkland will probably be at 11 am Saturday at Hand of God Ministries on Miller Street in Flint.