Kia Steave-Dickerson: Difference between revisions

▲Steave-Dickerson's early designs primarily focused on window decorations and fabrics.<ref name="Source1" /> After graduating from Philadelphia College, she worked in [[retail]] for several years in locations such as Maen Line Fabrics. Following her father's death, Steave-Dickerson used her inheritance to start the design company K.I.A. Enterprises, Inc.<ref name="Source1" /><ref name="SourceHappy" /> It is also known as K.I.A. Design and Construction or K.I.A. Design & Construction Enterprises, Inc.<ref name="Source2">{{cite web|url=http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/trading-spaces-cast-128925/photos/kia-trading-spaces-242956|title=See What the Cast of 'Trading Spaces' Is up to Today!|last=White|first=Tiffany|date=March 30, 2017|work=[[In Touch Weekly]]|publisher=[[Bauer Media Group]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403010510/http://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/trading-spaces-cast-128925/photos/kia-trading-spaces-242956|archivedate=April 3, 2017|df=}}</ref><ref name="Source6" /> The company expanded to open stores in various locations across the U.S,<ref name="Source2" /> and does work in both interior design, theatrical design, and [[construction]].<ref name="Source6">{{cite web|url=http://www.blackprwire.com/press-releases/2231-bprw_wells_fargo_and_the_national_black_mba_association_honor_distinguished_african_american_entrepreneurs|title=Wells Fargo and the National Black MBA Association Honor Distinguished African American Entrepreneurs|date=October 8, 2009|publisher=[[National Black MBA Association]]|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171015062309/http://www.blackprwire.com/press-releases/2231-bprw_wells_fargo_and_the_national_black_mba_association_honor_distinguished_african_american_entrepreneurs|archivedate=October 15, 2017|df=}}</ref> Critics have described Steave-Dickerson's approach as simplistic and bold.<ref name="Source1" /> When discussing the designer's work, Jennifer Baldino Bonett of [[Philadelphia Business Journal|''The Philadelphia Business Journal'']] wrote that Steave-Dickerson relied on furniture and fabrics made in Philadelphia for her company's projects. In 1998 and 2003, Steave-Dickerson received awards from minority businesses in Philadelphia for her contributions.<ref name="SourceHappy" />

▲Steave-Dickerson started her career as a set designer and a [[Theatrical property|property master]] in 1993.<ref name="SourceLinkProfile">{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/kia-steave-dickerson-37586917/|title=Kia Steave-Dickerson|publisher=[[LinkedIn]]|accessdate=October 26, 2017}}</ref> She had worked on [[Men in Black (1997 film)|''Men in Black'']] (1997), [[Beloved (film)|''Beloved'']] (1998), ''[[The Sixth Sense]]'' (1999), and [[Signs (film)|''Signs'']] (2002).<ref name="Source1" /> She has also helped to design commercials for [[Chrysler]]. [[Bisquick]], and [[Betty Crocker]] and [[musical theatre]] productions, such as [[Grease (musical)|''Grease'']] and [[Cats (musical)|''Cats'']].<ref name="Source1" /><ref name="SourceHappy" /> She served as a set decorator for the 1998 [[crime]] [[drama film]] ''[[Gunshy]]'',<ref name="Film1">{{cite video | people = [[Jeff Celentano]] (director) | title = [[Gunshy]] | type = Film | publisher=[[Periscope Pictures]] |year=1998}}</ref> and a scenic artist for the 1998 [[comedy-drama]] film ''[[Wide Awake (1998 film)|Wide Awake]]''.<ref name="SourceHappy" /> She worked as an assistant property master for the 2000 films ''[[Animal Factory]]'' and ''[[Unbreakable (film)|Unbreakable]]'';<ref name="SourceHappy" /><ref name="Film3">{{cite video | people = [[Steve Buscemi]] (director) | title = [[Animal Factory]] | type = Film | publisher=[[Franchise Pictures]] |year=2000}}</ref> the former marked her third time working with [[Indian American]] film director [[M. Night Shyamalan]].<ref name="Source1" /><ref name="SourceHappy" /> In ''Unbreakable'', Steave-Dickerson made an appearance as an [[Extra (acting)|extra]]. Shyamalan praised her designs and described her as 'the funk diva', recognizing the energetic presence her personality brings to his sets.<ref name="SourceHappy" />