Member Story: Mixed Up Clothing’s Sonia Smith-Kang on Bringing Representation to Kids’ Fashion

As the founder and creative director of the children’s apparel brand Mixed Up Clothing, Sonia Smith-Kang is on a mission to celebrate diversity and bring cultural representation into everyday fashion. Born in Puerto Rico to an African-American father and Mexican mother, Smith-Kang grew up immersed in a multicultural life that was further enriched by her parents’ military background, which allowed her to live and connect with communities across the globe.

Smith-Kang founded Mixed Up Clothing after noticing a gap in the market for multicultural children’s clothing, inspiring her to design inclusive, culturally rich clothing that instills pride and promotes cultural awareness year-round. She began working on designs that merge colorful global patterns with playful styles, creating a line of apparel that gives children a sense of connection to their heritage.

Now based in Los Angeles and a mother herself, Smith-Kang deeply understands the challenges and beauty of being multiracial. From her personal experience, she knows firsthand what it means to blend multiple heritages and to navigate the feelings of not being “enough” of one identity or another — an experience she sought to make visible through her brand.

Having started her professional journey as a critical care nurse, Smith-Kang’s pivot to fashion was driven by her creative spirit and commitment to representation. As she describes it, she is a “storyteller who uses fashion as my medium,” working to ensure that every child feels seen through clothing that reflects their cultural roots. 

The designer envisions Mixed Up Clothing expanding as a global brand synonymous with cultural appreciation and sustainable, conscious fashion. She aims to push back against fast-fashion trends by offering high-quality, versatile pieces that align with family values and foster cultural understanding. 

This week on The Folklore, we spoke to Sonia Smith-Kang for our new ‘Member Story’ interview series, where she shares her commitment to making a positive impact through fashion, ensuring that every piece tells a story of heritage, and the beauty of diversity

How would you describe yourself and what you do?

I am a storyteller who uses fashion as my medium. Through Mixed Up Clothing, I focus on creating pieces that are deeply rooted in culture, creativity, and community.

Could you tell us about your background and what inspired you to start Mixed Up Clothing?

I’m an Afro Latina and a proud military brat. I was born in Puerto Rico and then my family was stationed on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu. Being raised in a multicultural family shaped me. Growing up, I saw how culture shapes us and gives us strength and pride. As I got older and married my Korean-American husband and we started having children, we were intentional about connecting our kids to their roots.

We culture-proofed our home to bolster their identity. From dolls, toys, books, foods, and music, we surrounded them with accurate reflections of our multicultural reality. I recognized that children’s apparel was missing. We had apparel reserved for cultural celebrations, but what about everyday clothes? I realized that there was a blindspot in children’s fashion, so I set out to fill that void. I sourced fabrics and trims from around the world and discovered I could tell stories of culture through clothing.

That inspiration, combined with my desire to change the face of fashion and redefine the industry is what birthed Mixed Up Clothing. I want to bring culture front and center and provide a space where kids can see themselves in fashion, celebrate their heritage, learn about others, and appreciate the beauty of diversity.

Mixed Up Clothing’s mission is to celebrate diversity and highlight vibrant cultures around the world. How do you translate these values into your designs?

Mixed Up Clothing is about bringing culture to the forefront. We are more diverse than ever, and this is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Data also shows that multicultural communities have significant purchasing power, driving much of the consumer market today. In fact, the US is projected to be a majority-minority nation, meaning diversity will shape the future of nearly every industry — including fashion.

I see this data as a clear call to action to create clothing that reflects the stories and identities of these vibrant communities. I design with bold colors, intricate patterns, and traditional textiles that celebrate the global cultures represented in our everyday lives. Whether it’s through the use of prints, embroidery, or motifs, each design tells a story of culture, creativity, and community. My goal is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultures, so kids wearing Mixed Up Clothing are not only stylish but also celebrating their heritage and the world around them. We are here to bring culture front and center in a way that is playful, yet profoundly meaningful.

As a multiracial woman and mother of four, how do your personal experiences as a mother influence your designs and your approach to children’s fashion?

My personal experiences as an Afro-latina and a mother have deeply influenced my approach to fashion. I want my children to feel proud of their heritage and to know that their cultures are celebrated. Through my designs, I try to embody this sense of belonging and joy. I also understand that children need clothes that allow them to explore and play freely, so using quality materials and designing with practicality is key. I’ve made it my mission to design versatile pieces that not only celebrate diverse cultures but also elongate the life cycle of a garment — something that kids can wear and treasure.

You create playful yet culturally rich designs for children. How do you balance fun, everyday wear with your commitment to cultural representation in your collections?

I believe fashion is a vehicle to share who you are. I focus on creating pieces that take kids on a visual journey around the world. At the same time, I recognize the need for everyday wearability, so I design clothes using quality materials that are comfortable, durable, and versatile. I use playful elements like bright colors and soft fabrics, but these are always balanced with cultural integrity. Every design is meant to educate while being something kids love to wear. It’s about mixing and matching the practical with the meaningful.

What is your creative process?

My creative process begins with research, immersion, and storytelling. I dive into the culture I’m designing for by collaborating with diverse designers, craftsmen, and creatives, studying the history, traditions, and textiles. Then, I look for ways to blend those traditional elements with contemporary fashion, ensuring each design reflects the culture authentically. I always ask myself how I can elongate the life cycle of each piece, creating something that is not only beautiful but sustainable. This process is about more than just clothes — it’s about creating a space where culture and creativity can thrive together.

   

As Mixed Up Clothing continues to grow, what are your future ambitions for the brand?

I am so proud of our growth. Going from a registered nurse to designer has been a huge learning curve. I have surrounded myself with folks that have helped me at each step, from amazing accelerators to organizations that want to see founders like me succeed. I worked hard to get to this point. I am so proud of launching in large retailers like Target and Macy’s.com. I see Mixed Up Clothing continuing to grow into a global brand that fosters cultural appreciation and conscious consumerism.

How do you see Mixed Up Clothing evolving in the next few years?

In the next few years, I see Mixed Up Clothing leading conversations around diversity and sustainability in fashion. I want to continue collaborating with brands that uplift BIPOC designers. I envision expanding our reach to more global markets. As consumer consciousness grows, I want our brand to be synonymous with quality, versatility, and cultural representation. By investing in quality pieces, families can discover the joy of curating wardrobes that align with their values and celebrating culture in a meaningful way.

What has been the proudest moment for you as the founder of Mixed Up Clothing? Is there a particular milestone that stands out?

One of my proudest moments was learning that I had made it onto someone’s vision board — a true “pinch me” moment! That moment was deeply emotional for me because it represented more than just a business milestone; it was about becoming the person I had needed to see as a child. Growing up as a multiracial kid, I didn’t often see people who looked like me leading brands, especially in fashion. Knowing that I am now that representation for others means the world to me and drives everything I do.

Breaking into major retailers like Macy’s, Belk, and Amazon has been both rewarding and humbling. It’s a huge step toward bringing visibility not just to Mixed Up Clothing, but to the emerging designers and multicultural brands that follow. Every time I see our clothing on a retail floor, I see it as an opportunity to show what’s possible and to inspire other designers from underrepresented backgrounds. These milestones are significant, as they bring validation to the years of work, vision, and resilience that went into building this brand.

Mixed Up Clothing is a member of The Folklore, which supports a diverse range of designers. How has being part of this platform supported the growth of your brand?

Being part of The Folklore has been a game-changer for Mixed Up Clothing. It has opened doors by connecting us directly with retailers, which has helped us expand our reach and visibility in ways that felt out of reach before. With The Folklore Connect, we’re able to maintain a digital showroom and interact directly with buyers interested in supporting diverse, sustainably minded brands. It’s more than just visibility; it’s a network that amplifies our story and puts us in front of people who care about culture and representation.

The Folklore also offers a community element that’s been invaluable. They bring together designers from all over the world who share resources and insights, creating a space that feels collaborative rather than competitive. This sense of shared purpose, especially among other emerging brands, really resonates with me. Together, we’re part of a larger movement that’s about bringing visibility to underrepresented regions and voices in the fashion industry. That’s a mission Mixed Up Clothing is proud to be part of, and it aligns perfectly with our goal to make multicultural children’s fashion more accessible on a global scale.

What is your favorite feature or element offered by The Folklore?

My favorite feature of The Folklore is definitely The Folklore Connect. It’s designed to help brands like Mixed Up Clothing connect directly with retailers and showcase our products in virtual showrooms, streamlining everything from order management to payment processing. This tool has been great for managing the wholesale side of our business and reducing many logistical challenges that smaller brands face when trying to expand.

Another valuable aspect is The Folklore’s community-building features such as workshops, webinars, and mixers. They bring together designers from diverse backgrounds, creating a supportive environment where we can share resources and ideas. The connections and knowledge I gain from these events feel just as essential as the commerce tools because they foster a sense of belonging and collaboration that’s rare in the industry.

Discover Mixed Up Clothing on The Folklore