We recently had the chance to connect with Kimberly Fomby Jefferson and have shared our conversation below.
Kimberly, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
At the beginning of my journey, I absolutely felt like I was wandering, trying to figure out my purpose and gifts. As time passed, especially within the last five years, my journey has solidified into a path full of purpose. It hasn’t been a straight path but full of twists, turns, and detours. Yet every moment of my walk is meaningful and adds flavor to my legacy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Kimberly Fomby Jefferson—jewelry designer, visual artist, and founder of Sucré Couture. Sucré Couture is a visual love letter to Black femininity, matriarchy, and culture. We’ve been in the game for 16 years to date, and we’re best known for our 80s and 90s gold aesthetic, which is heavily paired with our rich visual and editorial storytelling.
When people see our brand, they think of our campaigns overflowing with motifs (red nails, Moet bottles, red roses, fishnets) and money shots captured on film. When people smell our brand, they smell a rich gourmand with traces of bergamot, jasmine, Bulgarian rose, marshmallow, and vanilla musk. When people feel our brand, it feels familiar, safe, nostalgic, and inviting.
We’re currently working on a new campaign following an interesting season of loss and gain. On July 18, our studio was burglarized, and the sudden loss sparked some incredible gains. So we’re leaning in and creating from a place of rebirth and transformation, and I’m so excited for our audience to see the beauty coming soon.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My mother saw me before I could see myself.
I remember the struggles of being a young Black girl in the 90s. At one point, I wanted the long hair on the Just For Me boxes and the same clothes and shoes as the girls in my class. I carried the insecurities that many others shared, but sometimes never vocalized.
One day, my mama took me to get my haircut and encouraged me to embrace my style. Something that represents the real Kim. So, I rocked a cute bob and pixie in the 7th and 8th grades. She’d tell me, “You don’t follow trends, you make them.”
Her statement has followed me into my adulthood. I’ve always had a rebellious spirit—doing what I want, when, and how I want. My mother seeing me has also helped me listen to my authentic voice.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Recently, my sister looked at me and said, “That fire/flood changed you.” I smirked and then laughed.
Less than two years ago, my little home caught fire and flooded in the same breath. It was the most gut-wrenching, terrifying experience, which turned into an aggressive legal battle that tested my mental strength and faith.
To answer the question, love and creativity have healed me. Love from my family and close friends. And my ability to literally rise from the ashes and create from broken pieces has healed me. I couldn’t imagine not being an artist through the challenges and obstacles I’ve faced.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The color red. Growing up, I was so enamored by red nails.
My mother was my first example of wearing power and confidence on your fingertips. Her go-to color in the ’90s was Sporty Kar Red by Sation. I would sit in the window sill at the nail shop and watch her nail stylist, Linda, paint each nail with so much detail and attention. My grandmother, great aunt, and host of other aunts also did the same, but more so, deeper shades of red like Garnet.
Gratefully, red was never demonized in my household. I was never given the Jezebel side-eye shade for wearing it. However, I still hear echoes of this stereotype against Black women from the past and into the present. So many women have acknowledged my red nails and feel empowered to do the same.
So, back to that rebellion, red will also be protected in my book, especially as I dedicate much of my purpose to pushing back against harmful stereotypes of Black women that have been used to keep us controlled, tamed, and demure.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am certainly doing what I was born to do; there’s no doubt about that. But back to that rebellion again: I’ve never been the type to fold to external pressures. My authentic nature will push back and make room for me and what feels purposeful no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sucrecouture.com
- Instagram: @sucrecouture / @whereskimmie
Image Credits
Please credit the photo of the socks with anklets, the image at the bar with the bottle of Moet, and the picture of the girl holding the earring to Valley In Film. I photographed the other two photos.
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