JOLEENE

I have been trying to contemplate where and how my strong love for fashion derived from, struggling to find an early date in my childhood I would say that I was born with it.

I have always had a creative way of thinking I recall being younger and going to family parties my mother would wear her Ghanaian attire , I was so fascinated by the exquisite forms of detailing and finishes that would be applied to the sleeve and neck and the dramatic twists, turns and folds created when tying the head wraps.

I’d always look forward to family gatherings it was nice to see my mother and aunties, meeting wearing there extravagant outfits with fantastic detailing

Vibrant colours in specialized traditional textiles on wax Dutch prints and being taught from a young age that each fabric tells a story depending on the occasion, colours and print of the fabric. African attire has always had a theatrical edge.

After leaving school I was offered a place at London college of fashion where for 2 years I studied hair and makeup for fashion styling, some of my fashion design work was used for the London college of fashion course calendar, my design tutor Christina Barry would always advise me into going into fashion design so with motivation and help from her I applied for the BA Hons fashion design course at the surrey institute of art and design and was immediately offered a place.

My past experiences also include working for Amanda wakeley an exhibiting at premier vision in Lille France as well as working with fashion stylists, celebrities that would use my clothes for music videos and TV and media related work.

Further on to that I ran a market at Portobello road market and Brick Lanes up street market selling vinyl’s, beads and a collection of belts that I designs under a sub label

The story continues ……………………………………..