We recently connected with Jessica Lauren and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I learned how to style wardrobe by expanding my imagination through playing with Barbie dolls and dressing up in my mom’s and aunt’s clothes and jewelry when I was a little girl. I also found inspiration through the wardrobe selections for Whitley Gilbert’s character in “A Different World.” Representation is so important because I could see myself in Jasmine Guy, who played Whitley Gilbert, and I loved the chic selections she wore as a college student. I also grew up during the era of America’s Top Model and I was so fascinated with the behind-the-scenes aspects of beauty and fashion.

I’ve always enjoyed the art of conversation, and I have a genuine curiosity for people and their stories; I was talking before I was walking. As I grew into an adult, I intentionally sharpened my listening skills with the intention of giving people the space to share themselves with ease. With each of these things combined and my discovery that something was missing in the podcast world for the conversations I desired to hear, my podcast was created.

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?

In my junior year of high school, as I started to prepare for college, I decided to pursue a degree in marketing, but I grew more interested in fashion. During a family dinner, I expressed to my dad and stepmom that I was heavily considering this and attending a different university than I previously discussed because they have a fashion program. They responded and said they didn’t think this was a good idea and that I should continue with my original plan.

That’s what I did, and I’m happy that I did because this set the course for a lot of other amazing things in my marketing and styling career. I still had a yearning to pursue fashion in some way, but I wasn’t sure how I wanted to do so. In Fall 2014 I was about to graduate, and I decided to move back home instead of renewing my lease just for a few months. While I was home, I volunteered at Mobile Fashion Week. The Saturday before the shows, we were fitting the models, and one of the designers could not attend to fit her models herself. At one point, the founder walked over to me and said, “I need you to style these models.” Then he walked off. So I styled and fit each of the models in the designer’s pieces. After the show I received the runway photos, and I was blown away by how great they looked. From there, I decided that I wanted to pursue styling.

After this, Styled by Jessica Lauren was created; the rest is history!

Styled by Jessica Lauren is a wardrobe styling service that includes editorial, runway, personal styling, commercial shoots, speaking engagements, travel preparation, and more. My focus is to help the everyday woman who may feel overwhelmed with the shopping process and unable to dedicate the time or who wants to explore her personal style but has no idea where to start.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a wardrobe stylist is being able to reach the everyday woman who has become frustrated or fallen out of love with getting dressed to present her best self to the world by helping her rediscover her personal style.

My favorite memory of this was when I participated in a Mother’s Day makeover for a few women nominated for a head-to-toe makeover by their loved ones. Each of the ladies had different stories of taking care of others, battling illnesses, and so much more, and because of this, they hadn’t been able to prioritize themselves. At the end of their makeovers they each had so much joy, pride, and a glow from the inside out!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to help every woman, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or size, know that style is attainable and that they can feel amazing from the inside out!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: styledby_jessicalauren
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StyledbyJL/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jackson-24a35b43/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@styledbyjessicalauren5106
• Other: Podcast Link: https://rss.com/podcasts/styleandconversation/
  Podcast Instagram: style_andconversation

Image Credits

Style and Conversation logo designed by Taderal Reid. Wesbite: https://www.reid-it-over.com/