Coast Guard member and Hampton Roads, Virginia, native Kenneth Jones is gearing up to enter the fashion industry full-time with his 757-inspired designs.
Jones has donned a solid blue uniform in service to the Coast Guard for nearly a decade as a yeoman, the branch’s equivalent to human resources. But since his Virginia Beach-themed sneaker design went viral in 2021, Jones has poured himself into building a clothing and sneaker brand in preparation for life after his military service.
“It’s like Superman going into the phone booth. I go in in uniform and come out with street clothes on that I designed,” Jones said with a laugh.
Jones, who is currently assigned to the Atlantic Area Communications Command Center in Chesapeake, has one more year left with the Coast Guard before his contract expires. He and his family, Jones said, are seriously considering him separating from the service to invest all his time into Kindm, which features his custom-designed sneakers, street wear and hats that pay homage to Hampton Roads. His designs often include trident symbols or “757” and the brand logo — a shield surrounded by seven stars on each side and five stars across the top.
“I never thought any of this was possible, but now I see a way of making it possible,” Jones said.
Having grown up in Hampton Roads since 1998, Jones, now 31, said fashion always called his name. But he didn’t think it was a sustainable way to support his wife and son,…
