From the FabLab to the Runway: UTA Student Turns Vision into Fashion Success

At UTA Libraries, student success is our mission. Every day, students walk through the doors of the Central Library with big dreams, and those dreams take shape here. For senior Information Systems major Jaden Mathis, that dream came to life in the UTA Libraries FabLab. 

Mathis founded Kira, a clothing brand, built from the ground up in the FabLab. What started as a spark of inspiration has become a brand recognized by major figures in the fashion and streaming industries. 

Mathis' passion for fashion began long before college. As a child, he spent weekends shopping with his mom, helping her choose outfits and developing an early eye for style. 

"My mom would always take me to clothing stores," Mathis said. "I kind of became her stylist when I was a kid, helping her pick out what looked best on her. That's where it started for me." 

What began as curiosity and admiration slowly grew into a deep appreciation for design, detail, and expression through clothing. 

Building a Dream in the FabLab 

 
With that dream always present, Mathis wanted to find out how his love of clothing could be turned into something tangible, a career. He found that at UTA. During his sophomore year, he discovered the FabLab's textile area, a creative environment equipped with professional-grade sewing and embroidery machines. That discovery changed everything. 

"With help from mentors and staff like Carissa Knitowski and Pearla Vargas, I learned everything from scratch," Mathis said. "I didn't know how to sew and draw patterns when I started. But the FabLab gave me the space and support to learn at my own pace." 

After spending countless hours in the space, Mathis's dedication and growing skill caught the attention of the FabLab team, eventually leading to a student job at the Central Library. That opportunity allowed him to deepen his technical knowledge, collaborate with other creative students, and inspire students to explore their ideas. 

"Getting to work in the same place where my dream started, it's special," Mathis said. "It made me want to help other students find that spark." 

Mathis dove into every process; embroidering, sewing, drafting patterns, and designing garments while managing his coursework and part-time job at the library. 

"I drove from Forney to Arlington, an hour each way, just to work in the FabLab," Mathis said. "I would get off work, rush over, and do as much as possible before closing. That's where I learned everything." 

That dedication paid off. Mathis' first collection sold six pieces. His next? Over 100. His designs caught the recognition of attendees of a campus fashion show hosted by UTA's African Student Organization and even reached national figures in the entertainment and fashion industries. This past summer, his work was recognized by high-profile streamers and designers during a private industry event. 

And in September 2024, Jaden took his passion to the global stage by attending New York Fashion Week. He met established designers there, saw archival pieces from icons like Jean Paul Gaultier, and found new inspiration for his craft. 

"Meeting people in person and showing them my clothes helped me know I was on the right path," Mathis said. "One of the designers told me, 'We started right where you are, just keep going.' Hearing that was incredibly encouraging." 

Designing with Meaning 

Kira's brand reflects what Mathis calls "the hunger" of his generation, the drive that keeps creators up at night, turning vision into reality. 

"It's that emotion of working late, of pushing yourself to make something meaningful," Mathis said. "I wanted to give that feeling a name."  

Each piece in the Kira line tells a story. His signature hoodies, weighing nearly 10 pounds, are designed for quality and longevity, crafted from premium fabrics and reinforced seams. His latest designs use storytelling as fashion, weaving emotion and meaning into every stitch. 

"I write a chapter about each piece before I make it," Mathis explained. "I want people to feel something when they wear my clothes." 

Empowered by UTA Libraries 
 

Mathis credits much of his success to the FabLab and the UTA Libraries community. 

"The support here is incredible," Mathis said. "When I come to the FabLab, I'm surrounded by people who care about what I'm doing. They challenge me to think critically about my designs and remind me to focus on the 'why' behind every piece." 

As Jaden prepares to graduate in spring 2026, he's looking ahead to taking Kira full-time or working as a brand ambassador for a major U.S. retailer, helping bring other designers' visions to stores nationwide. Whatever path he chooses, his experience at the UTA Libraries has given him the tools and the confidence to succeed. 

"I've worked hard these last three years," Mathis said. "When people I admire recognize what I'm doing, it reminds me that I'm on the right path. Work doesn't feel like work when you love what you do. And for me, every late night in the FabLab was worth it." 

At UTA Libraries, Jaden's story is one of many that proves what's possible when passion meets opportunity. The tools and support are here. All that is left is for students to bring their ideas and dreams to life. Your success story starts here.