Jeanette Young London

‘A girl should be two things classy and fabulous’

Coco Channel

What do you do for a living and what are you passionate about?

I am a Freelance Senior Garment Technologist, Designer and a Fashion Stylist. I am passionate about transforming lives through fashion. I love designing and styling people, being able to bring a concept to life and watching the positive impact it has on others.

Have you always had a love for fashion and was it easy to get into the industry?

I have always loved fashion since primary school, I loved to draw, sew and customise clothes. My grandparents brought me my first singer sewing machine at the age of nine. I did not find it difficult to get into the fashion industry, I had a passion and a desire for fashion and I pursued it with all my heart. I did a foundation course in fashion design, a Btec National Diploma in fashion design and theatre wardrobe at ‘Westminster College’. This led me finally to complete my BA Hons in Product Development for the Fashion Industry at ‘The London College of Fashion’. Whilst studying I worked for small fashion companies designing and pattern cutting, which helped me to develop my skills. The fashion industry is a very tough industry, but you have to believe in yourself, be strong and most importantly prove yourself….

For someone reading this who has a love for fashion, but no idea of how to make it a reality career wise, what advice would you give them?

Believe in yourself! Speak to people you know that work in the fashion industry, connection is very important! Identify what area of fashion you are passionate about? There are so many different jobs in the fashion industry, other than wanting to become a ‘Designer’. Do a course in fashion. Organise a work placement with an established fashion company to get an idea of a specific area you would like to specialise in OR to develop your skills/ work experience. Go after your dreams, regardless of setbacks!

Would you say your life has always been easy, and attaining the success you have was a ‘walk in the park’?

My life has not always been easy, I grew up in a very unstable home with my mother and my two younger brothers. My brothers and I have different Fathers, we lived with my brothers father and he was very abusive to my mother and to me because I was not his child. My mother tried her best to give us a good life even though we were poor. I witnessed my mother go through domestic violence and her independence stripped away from her because of this.

I longed to know my Father, who I finally managed to meet at the age of 17. He was nothing I expected him to be. He disclosed to me that he was an armed robber and a crack/ cocaine drug dealer. My father tried to get me involved in his life of crime in which I horridly refused. He died 2 years after I met him when I was 19 -he was murdered! Moreover I longed for this father figure that seemed non-existent. I did meet a beautiful young man named Jason at the age of 16, he was 18. He was sooo good to me, he loved me, cared for me, protected me, and adored me. However a few months into the relationship I found out that he also led a life of crime (SCREAM!). By then I was already in love, he was my best friend and my father figure all in one. Long story short, due to Jason’s lifestyle he went to prison and during that time I became a born again Christian. When he came out of prison I fell pregnant with my son and left the church and moved in with him.

After a year living with him I could no longer tolerate his lifestyle, so I broke up with him and re-dedicated my life back to the Lord. Jason and I had broken up for one year and during this time he became a born again Christian and turned his life around. We started to see each other again and finally got married – SHOUT HALLELUJAH! My life has not been a walk in the park at all, however when you understand that your dream is bigger than your struggles OR your setbacks YOU KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE! Life happens whether you like it or not. When I became pregnant with my son I was in the second year of my degree. I took a year out to have my baby and graduated the following year. All things are possible, once you believe!

If you had to choose your 3 greatest achievements in life what would they be?

1. Marrying my childhood sweetheart and building a beautiful family (not saying it has been easy OR is easy, but I am very proud because this is something that I have always longed for). I have two beautiful sons, who I absolutely adore.
2. Being a mentor/ leader to young people, women and married couples, being real with them and sharing my life experiences.
3. Setting up my own business called ‘Jeanette Young London’ where I am able to transform lives through fashion, designing and styling. I am very fortunate to have worked for well-known fashion companies, which has given me great exposure and insight for my new business.

What advice do you have for someone who is unhappy with their size and feels they can’t be fashionable because of it.

Being fashionable has nothing to do with your size. Being fashionable has all to do with how you dress your body shape, regardless of your size or shape. It is important to wear the correct styled clothing that enhances your body shape. Finally you need to believe that ‘You Are Beautiful!’ you wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear you.

Three interesting facts about you?

I love desserts! I cannot bake, but I am a very good cook.

People always ask me what nationality I am (Mauritius, Philippines, Indian just to name a few) but I am none of them…My father was born in the UK, his mum is white English (from Devon) and his dad is black South African. My mother was born in Monserrat a small island in the Caribbean (as well as both her parents) I was born in the UK

I am addicted to high heels – 5 inches and above, to be precise!

Jeanette can be contacted via her website below:

http://www.jeanetteyoungstylist.com/