We were lucky to catch up with Jingjing Jia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, JINGJING thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Absolutely, I’ve felt misunderstood at times, especially as someone from an international background navigating the fashion scene in New York. Coming from China, where fashion often leans toward certain aesthetics, my work—blending surreal, bold, and culturally diverse elements—has occasionally been seen as ‘too different’ or not fitting the expected mold.

One instance that stands out was when my styling was critiqued for being ‘overly conceptual’ during a project. Some viewed it as impractical, but for me, fashion is a form of visual storytelling. I aim to evoke emotions, push boundaries, and create narratives through my work. I realized this difference in perspective was rooted in cultural and artistic approaches—what some saw as ‘impractical,’ I viewed as imaginative and avant-garde.

This experience taught me the value of staying true to my vision while learning to articulate my creative choices. It also helped me develop resilience; I learned that not everyone needs to understand or accept my work for it to be meaningful. Being misunderstood can be an opportunity for growth and for reinforcing your authentic voice.

JINGJING, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Jingjing Jia, a stylist and creative director based in New York with roots in China. My journey began at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where I studied Fashion Business Management and immersed myself in the industry through internships and hands-on experiences like volunteering at New York Fashion Week. I’ve worked with brands like Rui and held a position as a fashion editor assistant at ELLE China, where I gained invaluable insights into editorial work and styling.

My services revolve around fashion styling, creative direction, and production design. I create editorial and commercial campaigns that aim to evoke emotions and tell stories, often blending surreal, avant-garde elements inspired by cultural icons like Lady Gaga, Bjork, Aphex Twin, Stanley Kubrick, and David Lynch. I’m passionate about merging cultural influences and contemporary trends to produce fresh, unique visuals that stand out.

What sets me apart is my ability to pull from diverse inspirations—film, music, and fashion—to create a cohesive and memorable aesthetic. I strive to provide clients with more than just styling; it’s about building narratives that resonate emotionally and visually. I’m proud of the work I’ve done for renowned publications like VOGUE CN, ELLE China, Marie Claire China, and others.

For potential clients or followers, I want them to know that my approach is deeply personal and imaginative. Whether it’s editorial, commercial projects, or collaborations, I believe in creating work that is both expressive and impactful. My ultimate goal is to craft experiences that make people see fashion as more than just clothing but as a form of art and storytelling.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During my time at ELLE China under the Hearst Group, I faced an intense and competitive work environment. It was a real “Devil Wears Prada” experience—late nights, tight deadlines, and high expectations. At one point, I was responsible for coordinating various tasks, from managing shoots to handling the logistics of returning samples. Some days, I’d finish a shoot late at night, drop off samples at the office in the early hours, and then head home only to return to work shortly after for financial reconciliations and planning budgets for upcoming projects. This intense schedule taught me resilience and adaptability. It was all part of laying the groundwork to eventually pursue my passion for working freelance as a creative director and stylist.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One major lesson I had to unlearn was the idea of perfectionism. When shooting editorials for magazines, I used to insist that the final looks match my initial vision exactly. Any deviation felt like a failure, and it affected my mood. I also demanded a certain number of photos for each look. Over time, I realized that trying to control everything wasn’t necessary. Letting go and embracing unexpected changes often led to pleasant surprises and more authentic results. Sometimes, the best outcomes come from going with the flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jingjing-jia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8bit.gurl/
• Other: ⭑Portfolio: https://www.instagram.com/j.i.a_project/
  RedBook/小红书: @8BitGurl