We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jamila Houston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jamila , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I’ve always had a love for art and fashion. When I was young I would draw and design clothes in my free time. I originally wanted to be a fashion designer and I really used to spend all my time drawing & designing clothes. I used to cut up jeans for my friends and put designs it and everything. Over time I wanted to learn all aspects of fashion (photography, graphic design, magazine layouts, etc). I wanted to be a well rounded artist and modeling definitely wasn’t on my radar.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I started modeling in 2018 just for fun with my photography friends. We would do random photoshoots and they would always say to me “why don’t you model?” Or “you should really get into modeling”. I was already working as model coordinator for Atlanta international fashion week back in 2016-17 so I was in the mix of the fashion scene I just didn’t have the confidence to take modeling serious. It wasn’t until 2020 when I decided to take it seriously. Unfortunately the pandemic hit but that didn’t stop me. In January 2021, I created my first portfolio website with all the work I had done previously with my friends. In 2021 when Covid restrictions had somewhat been lifted, I had my first runway show with Bovtiqve Fashion Week. From there I have been in several other fashion shows and I have even done a virtual fashion show with MEPTIK. I currently work with 2 different creative collectives where I am fashion director. I work with Earby Studios which creates art and fashion events throughout the Metro Atlanta area as well as Studio Vibes which is a creative brand that focuses on Art events based in the Raleigh- Durham (NC) Triangle Area. With these groups I have introduced fashion experiences into their already established brands. I do administrative work, run show practices, assist designers on their model selection, and run the show backstage. I’ve always loved the hectic energy of fashion shows and I really made what I love apart of my career.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding part of what I do is definitely being able to help people. Ive always been a hard working woman but I never forget to stop and help someone. When I coordinate shows some models get nervous or don’t feel confident at a model call, I try my best to boost their confidence. I give them some one on one time to encourage them to do their best and to have fun. Being in front of people can be very nerve racking, so I ask all the models to take a few deep breaths before we get started so they can loosen up. I try to make sure all models are comfortable.
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
My goal right now is to walk in New York Fashion Week or even work backstage for NYFW. I have been in both the forefront as well as the background in fashion shows but to be in shows in New York, the fashion capital of our country would just complete my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.joozgawdess.com
- Instagram: Joozgawd__
- Linkedin: Jamila Houston
Image Credits
Lauren Gray Jeremy perry Lu Aaron mullen