This 9-year-old fashion designer's stylish looks caught the eye of Vera Wang
Give her a piece of fabric and some thread, and Kaia Aragon will turn it into the outfit of her dreams.
The Colorado resident was 5 years old when her mother, Tonya Aragon, taught her how to sew. When she turned 7, Tonya bought Kaia a sewing machine, and now at 9 she has hundreds of thousands of TikTok followers who can't get enough of her one-of-a-kind fashion creations.
Tonya told Today she is "blown away" by her daughter's creativity. Her first sewing project was a bed for her kitten, then a wallet, and since then Kaia has made dozens of skirts, dresses, and tops. She designs and sews them all on her own — her line is called "Kaia Rae Design" — and finds inspiration everywhere; a recent ensemble was influenced by the house in Encanto.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kaia's current project is transforming a wedding dress from 1983 into a skirt, and one fan who can't wait to see how it turns out is iconic fashion designer Vera Wang. She recently commented on a TikTok video featuring one of Kaia's original designs, and sent her a new sewing machine and note letting her know she's "so excited to see you are already pursuing your dream of becoming a fashion designer."
Kaia told Today she was "so excited" by the praise, and when she realized just how big of a deal Wang is in the fashion world, "I was freaking out."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Gavin Newsom's podcast debut is not going over well with some liberals
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The first episode of the California Governor and potential presidential candidate's 'This is Gavin Newsom' featured cozy conversation with far-right operative Charlie Kirk and a surprisingly conservative stance on transgender athletes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Extremists still find plenty of digital spaces'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Skip southern Utah for the rugged majesty of Grand Junction, Colorado
The Week Recommends Explore mountains and mesas, without the crowds
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
5 trips where the journey is the best part
The Week Recommends Slow down and enjoy the ride
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published