Spotlight: Jessica Baah

The 2nd Spotlight is one I'm particularly happy to write as I've know Ms Jessica Baah  for around 10 years now (we met in circumstances which I may share with you one day; absolutely hilarious).  In a sentence, I've had the opportunity to watch Jessica blossom so much, firstly as part of vibrant duo CoCoCarmel and then showcasing Baah by Jessica Baah, a fashion label built on a firm foundation of fearlessness.  If you haven't heard of the label I suggest you read on; you'll thank me later.

With features in Black Beauty magazine and collaborating with L'Oreal's Mizani haircare, styling the likes of CEO Dancers and Joselyn Dumas and, of course, her breakout show at AFWL which had everyone talking, Jessica is definitely a star with plans to keep on rising.  I caught up with her to talk label launches, family life, the transition from architecture to fashion and whether she's a black or gold kind of lady..

Interview after the cut..

Jessica the Entrepreneur 

On Starting Baah by Jessica Baah

I had just had a baby with a-lot of time spent sitting and waiting on my son, planning his christening and thinking "what am I going to wear?". One of the things I loved doing before studying architecture was sketching and I couldn't think of an African brand that could make the type of outrageous outfit I wanted to wear on the day.  At the time there were no real African-inspired designers out there that showed the edgy and brave side of Africa and I just knew then I had to do it. It's said "if you're sitting and thinking why has no one thought of this yet, then it's meant to be you doing it". From there, I began drawing up the first piece that would show my intentions to the world, the "weapon" jacket which, funny enough, got me my first ever magazine cover.

From Architecture to Fashion

Once a creative always a creative.  I don't think it would have mattered whether I had studied fashion before architecture rather than after, I still would have taken the same discipline and passion into it. The benefit of coming from an architecture background is that I understand angles, detail and shapes which always influences my pieces and give them the dynamics they have.

Highlights of the lead up to the official launch

Yaaay! I'm excited and nervous now that the launch will be happening this month. I've grown and so have my designs. The biggest highlights have been putting my pen down after drawing, redrawing and then re-redrawing the final designs and the pattern making process. I am self-taught so everything I'm learning is exciting to me; thus every new step I take is a highlight.

Black or Gold Label?

Easy one -  I prefer the GOLD LABEL a thousand times over and over. It the line where I get to express the real reason why I do what I do and why I began in the first place! There are NO limitations. I create art, and the Gold Label are pieces purely to excite people. There are no intentions for the piece to be worn, to be bought or even necessary make sense to the audience. When a Gold Label piece is released and I see the excitement or shock it creates.. I've done my job.

I started BbJB inspired by the movement of New Africa; creating an artistic, architecturally inspired brand. I soon found out, as with any label, to continually fulfill my ideas to the fullest you need to make some kind of profit and that's where the BLACK LABEL comes in; a ready to wear line to simply fund my love for the GOLD LABEL. The BLACK LABEL, in short, was an after thought. I am not a fashionista nor I do really consider myself a fashion designer; I just make art that people like and want to wear.

Jessica the Woman

Perseverance & Passion
The feeling of giving up comes almost everyday but it is always met with the overwhelming drive to keep going. I can honestly say I don't know what it is but, no matter what the day or week is looking like, I always have the urge in the pit of my stomach forcing me to carry on - I couldn't avoid it if I wanted to! I feel like I have something important to show the world on behalf of the gift God has given me and the culture I come from, and until I have achieved that I won't stop.

Yummy Mummy Time
Balancing family time with developing the label is extremely difficult, I will never sugar-coat it. It's a huge challenge but as my son has grown it's become much easier. Like any other family with working parents, you do what you have to do to make it work. I can't say specifically how but it just works!

Top tips for a curvy woman on the move?

Dressing up: My tip would be wear something with one aspect of drama, be it a huge train or an intricate top detail and keep the rest clean. One thing about all my designs is that I lays heavy emphasis on the waist being the smallest part of the dress.  My theory; anything that brings you in on the waist can do whatever it likes anywhere else!

A Casual Business Meeting: I love blazers, but it can't be just any, I'm talking a blazer with power shoulders! I feel it gives you that aura of  confidence and strength even before you have arrived. I almost always wear black to business meetings but I mix textures to give the outfit depth and body.

Jessica on Jessica in 3 words?

Creative, Disciplined & Passionate!