We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Joanne Swift a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Joanne , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?
So, you’re wondering if I’ve been able to make a living off my creative work? Well, the answer is yes! It’s been a journey, though. I didn’t start out making a full-time income from my creative work, I only gave up my full time job. It has taken time, effort, and some trial and error to get to where I am today.
Looking back, I can see that there were some key milestones that helped me get here. For example, i have been able to transition into many different area with my knowledge of starting my own business, i have landed big client, i have had creative success in my field, i have been featured in amazing magazines like this one.These moments gave me the momentum and confidence to keep going.
Of course, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were times when I doubted myself or struggled to make ends meet. But I learned from those experiences and kept pushing forward.
If I knew then what I know now, I might have been able to speed up the process. For instance timing, positioning, investment and that would have changed the whole situation, something you wish you knew earlier, like the importance of marketing or networking, But overall, I’m proud of how far I’ve come and the creative work I’ve produced. It’s been a journey worth taking!
Joanne , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
So, you’re wondering how I got into the fashion and textile design industry? Well, it all started when I was growing up in a working-class family in the UK. I was the first in my family to attend university, and I graduated with a dual degree in fine arts and textile design from the UK and Japan where i lived for 9 years,I mastered in Japanese and Italian!
After teaching fashion design and working with Manufacturing in China, I realized that mass production wasn’t for me. So, I started creating handmade jewelry as a creative outlet. I taught myself how to bead and create accessories at home, using leftover materials from small markets. My sister sold some of my designs at UK airports, and that’s how my small accessories business started growing in 2010.
I opened a women’s business, hiring young graduates from outside of the big cities or from local supply chain markets to work in our small studio. We use only sustainable materials and focus on creating unique, handmade pieces that didn’t add to the problem of waste in the fashion industry. We had many famous celebrities wearing our styles!
What sets us apart, is my commitment to sustainability and empowering women. I’m most proud of building a successful business that aligns with my values and provides a stable income for my team. If you’re looking for unique, sustainable accessories that support a good cause, you’ve come to the right place!
I most proud of still being able to constantly being able to reinvent myself its really important to keep up with the times and learn new skills, techniques, venture into other area related to your work. I moved to LA for that reason to challenge myself my business my potential because we all get too comfortable in the environments we set up and i think its important as a creative to keep switching it up.
Creativity is part of my identity and it’s something that feeds off my emotions and awareness to life. It is an energy that needs to be constantly stimulated and developed in order to keep moving forward and staying relevant, If that means moving to a new country, to reinvent your environment or learning new technology or techniques or immerse yourself in another creative arena ,then that is what it takes to be done to keep relevant.
I have immersed myself into a number of new projects, that are somewhat in a different creative scope, this gives me not only financial freedom but also new challenges i am to learn and develop in a different creative field and stay relevant. I am very much into learning and investing time about the Metaverse, 3D &AR fashion, being in this new creative zone, helps me to continue to develop and innovate.
Prior to covid I realized that technology and fashion was going into a new direction, especially wearable tech, therefore, I established a platform called Fashion Tech LA as a space for information/ development and research into this topic, i have been trying recently to get funding for this this project and get this up and running. My Accessories and creative design companies are still at the forefront of my creative endeavors but Josie Chen Range is only for exclusive creative orders and Cicero Design has been the main basis for supporting overseas brands to enter the US market/ for design and development and representation. Like i mentioned diversifying helps to open more avenues of creative innovation.
Its really important as a creative no matter what age, is to always be in search of the next big thing or next creative movement, being able to be on top of your game, work to be in the right environment where its has a positive vibe and aim to be alongside others who inspire, knowledge to learn from others because creativity is about a collective mind.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Ah, that’s a great question! I’d say one lesson I had to unlearn is the idea that success is solely based on individual talent and effort. Growing up, I was not often praised for my achievements and told that I was “different.” While this feedback was well-intentioned, it led me to believe that success was solely dependent on my individual abilities.
However, as I got older and entered the workforce, I realized that success is often the result of a combination of factors, including opportunity, privilege, and systemic advantages. I had to unlearn the idea that success is solely based on individual merit and recognize that there are many other factors at play.
This realization was both humbling and liberating, as it allowed me to focus on using my knowledge and opportunities to uplift others and create more equitable systems, rather than simply relying on my own individual talents.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Society can support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by:
Providing access to affordable resources like studios, materials, and mentorship.
Fostering inclusive communities that promote diversity and equity.
Advocating for policies that protect intellectual property and fair compensation.
Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking.
Valuing and supporting arts education.
Creating opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange.
Recognizing the economic and social impact of the creative sector.
By doing so, society can empower creatives to innovate, contribute to social progress, and enrich our lives with their unique perspectives and talents.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cicerodeisgn.org /josiechenrange.co.uk
- Instagram: @Cicero_Design_LLC_ /@Josie.Chen.range
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/joannepswift
- Other: Fashion tech LA www.fashiontechla.com.co
Image Credits
IMUTE Magazine