We were lucky to catch up with Yasmeen Norman recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yasmeen, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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?

Styling with creative direction is a living art—a physical expression of my heart and emotions. I quite literally wear my heart on my sleeve, my pants, and everywhere in between. Every outfit I put together tells a story—one of how I’m living, growing, and feeling. My motto is “living art in every way”—whether it’s expressed through traveling for inspiration, designing moments through creative direction, or composing an outfit that whispers who I am before I even speak.

The art of styling with creative direction began with learning to live fully within myself. It required commitment to my chosen paths, embracing the lessons they offered, and leaning into the vulnerability of self-expression. From a young age, I found infinite imagination and joy in wrapping myself in fabrics, textures, and patterns that felt like reflections of myself. Styling became my way of acknowledging my emotions and weaving them into a visual language that speaks to both the heart and the mind.

If I could have accelerated my growth, I would have spent more time equipping myself with a broader group of tools to understanding myself— who I am, what I yearn to say, and how I wish to share that with the world. Personal clarity is the spark that fuels creative expression.

The most essential skill in this journey has been self-awareness. Understanding my emotions, trusting my intuition, and learning to translate intangible feelings into tangible creations. And as I continue to evolve and grow through life’s endless canvas of experiences, learning remains a priority. I give myself gratitude and the grace to keep unfolding, embracing each chapter with curiosity, compassion, and a quiet reverence for the art of becoming.

One of the greatest obstacles in creative expression is the fear of being misunderstood. Art—especially personal style—is intimate. It’s a glimpse into your inner world, a fragile yet infinite universe that exists within. Sharing that can feel raw, as it opens the door to others’ interpretations and opinions. But I remind myself: my individuality is my strength. I am myself, and that is something to be celebrated, not hidden.

In the end, styling isn’t just about clothes, and creative direction isn’t just about visual aesthetics—it’s about courageously standing in your confidence, breathing life into your story, and honoring the art of being unapologetically yourself while navigating this ever-unfolding masterpiece we call life.

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?

My first name, Yasmeen, carries a rich historical significance (at least according to the Google search I did in high school). In ancient cultures, the fragrant jasmine plant symbolized grace, beauty, and purity—sentiments I hope to embody in both my personal and professional journey.

Styling paired with creative direction can be a deeply personal exchange—it’s a piece of myself given to others, and vice versa. It’s about helping translate the imagery of their lives, their emotions, and their aspirations into something visible and tangible. I aim to interpret their stories, their essence, and their intentions to the best of my ability, ensuring they feel seen, understood, and confident in how they present themselves to the world.

My professional path in marketing and creative direction for fashion brands has been an extension of this passion. In my day-to-day work, I get to hum a story through campaigns, content creation, and brand messaging. It’s a space where creativity meets strategy, and every project is an opportunity to translate emotions into something tangible and meaningful.

What sets me apart is my ability to blend emotion with design. Styling isn’t just about creating a look—it’s about owning a feeling. I want people to find themselves in the stories I tell, to feel understood, and to discover confidence in their own unique expression. Because, in the end, my work is simply a reflection of the gifts they’ve given me—the emotions, experiences, and inspiration I gather as I encounter people and places.

One thing I’m truly proud of is how I’ve allowed myself to evolve. I’ve stayed open to learning, growing, and embracing each new chapter with curiosity and gratitude (though, admittedly, I sometimes side-eye it first—and then gratitude follows closely behind).

My work isn’t just about aesthetics—unless we’re talking about Pinterest or Tumblr, because let’s be honest, I do love a good aesthetic—but it’s about connection. Whether I’m styling someone, curating a campaign, or building a visual narrative, my goal is always to create something that resonates deeply, leaving an imprint that feels both meaningful and authentic. At the heart of everything I do is courageous self-expression, emotional storytelling, and unapologetic individuality.

Like the jasmine flower I’m named after, I hope my work leaves a lasting impression—one that feels intentional, meaningful, and true.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At the heart of my creative journey lies the mission to embody “living art in every way.” For me, this isn’t just a motto—it’s a promise to approach every aspect of my life with intention, creativity, and infinite curiosity. My goal is to be a true artist—to create everything, everywhere, embracing the kind of freedom that comes from fully immersing myself in my passions.

I see my creative path as an evolving canvas, one where every experience adds a new brushstroke. Whether it’s through styling, creative direction, photography, writing, music, or marketing, each pursuit is a reflection of how I’m growing, what I’m learning, and how I’m interpreting the world around me. I don’t see these skills as separate silos but as interconnected threads, weaving together a larger narrative of who I am and how I create. Loose ends allowed, patience renounced.

Ultimately, I want to master every trade I pour my heart into—not for the title, but for the freedom it brings. Freedom to tell stories in different mediums, to capture fleeting emotions in a song, to dress a moment in time through styling, or to guide a vision into reality through creative direction.

This journey isn’t just about external achievements; it’s deeply internal. It’s about continuing to learn about myself through every project, every collaboration, and every risk I take. I want my work to feel like an open journal—showcasing and documenting not just what I’ve created, but who I’ve become along the way. And at this point, I want to be a reminder that I am not perfect, and never will be—and that’s from the Creator’s original interpretation. I simply want to be. There’s no face for that… but maybe a nice outfit.

In the end, my mission is simple yet vast: to live artfully, to create endlessly, and to honor the infinite possibilities that come with being all in.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think society can best support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem by recognizing that creativity isn’t just decoration—it’s necessary. Art isn’t something you just consume; it’s something you feel. It’s a mirror, a voice, and a bridge. It shapes culture, sparks conversations, and reflects back to us pieces of ourselves we might not have noticed otherwise.

First, we need to make more space—real space. Physical spaces like community studios, galleries, and venues where creativity can exist without limitations. But also emotional space, where artists can create without feeling the pressure to constantly produce, explain, or perfect every piece. Second, there needs to be investment—not just financially (though, let’s be real, funding is crucial), but also investment in the way we view creativity. It needs to be woven into education, public programming, and policy as a foundation, not as an afterthought. Third, artists need to be valued. Their work isn’t just entertainment; it’s labor, it’s time, and it’s energy. Passion doesn’t pay bills, and exposure isn’t currency. Fair compensation, sustainable opportunities, and real recognition should be the standard, not the exception.

But most importantly, society needs to let art breathe. Not every piece needs to be monetized, explained, or wrapped up in a perfect little box. Sometimes, art just needs to exist. To sit there and make you feel something, even if you can’t quite name it.

At its core, supporting a creative ecosystem means allowing artists to take up space, to fail, to experiment, to feel safe in their vulnerability, and to simply be.

Creativity isn’t just about what gets hung on a wall, streamed on a screen, or printed in a magazine. It’s about having the freedom to show up, express, and share pieces of yourself with the world. If we can create a society where artists feel free to explore, stumble, start over, and dream out loud, we won’t just support a thriving creative ecosystem—we’ll build a world that feels more human.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasiforniaa/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmeennorman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yasiforniaa
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/yasiforniaa
• Other: My Nature Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/natureyarchives

  Email: [email protected]

Image Credits

Yasmeen Norman