A dream becoming reality...

At the age of just 3 years old, I remember telling my parents I wanted to be a fashion designer.

Growing up in a creative home-with an artist father who painted and filmed and a mother who wrote poetry in her spare time, being artistic came naturally. But there was something more... Even then, I felt this deep desire for women to feel beautiful and confident in the clothes they wore.

I didn’t realise it back then, but that dream kept quietly guiding me, shaping the choices I made in my studies, in my work, and in the way I saw the world. I’ve spent my life following that inner voice.

This year, at the age of 23 years old, I’ve decided to make this dream a reality.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been pouring myself into every part of the process to bring my first collection to life, from benchmarking and building the brand identity (such as the logo, colour palette and graphic chart) to building the business plan, preparing the crowdfunding campaign, writing and filming content, editing videos, sourcing fabrics and supplies, meetings with my pattern maker… the list goes on.

But, there are a few things I can finally show you some visuals for, so let me give you a sneak peek 👀✨

A few months ago, I had a meeting in Lyon with the deadstock fabric supplier Feat Coop, where I made my final fabric selection for four pieces of my collection. Using existing, high-quality fabrics that would otherwise go to waste is an important part of my commitment to creating more sustainable fashion.

They had a tiny selection of buttons, but I still managed to spot the perfect ones, with the most beautiful finish and just the right size. A detail that makes all the difference.

I didn’t manage to find the right fabric for the jacket and trousers though, so I decided to keep searching, staying committed to sourcing as responsibly as possible, without compromising on the feel or the fit I have in mind.

This month, I traveled to Paris twice for several important meetings, including one with another deadstock fabric supplier Nona Source that repurposes unused fabric rolls from luxury brands to give them a second life.

I was searching for a fabric that would meet many requirement : a high-quality feel with a beautiful finish, sturdy and thick enough for the jacket, yet soft and flowing enough for the trousers, and definitely not see-through. After looking through nearly 50 fabrics, I was overjoyed to finally find THE perfect one that fit both pieces beautifully and look incredibly elegant.

I also had a meeting with my pattern maker, and for the first time, we tried out my designs on two models (firstly in the seamstress cotton). It was such a special moment, seeing my fashion sketches and ideas come to life right before my eyes!

We spent a long time making adjustments, tweaking the sizing and technical details to make sure the clothes would fit women with different body types, while capturing the essence of my designs and flattering every silhouette.

I’ll share more about the progress of my collection in the next newsletter.

In the meantime, take care of yourself, and remember everything is possible. If you have a dream, listen to your heart and go after it, because that spark in your eyes when you think about it might just become your reality one day.

All my best,
Jamila Wilson xx

P.S. For my very first collection, I’m also designing my first accessory : a headband. Just like the rest of the pieces, I want it to truly reflect women’s needs, preferences and desires. So, I put together a quick 2-minute survey to hear your thoughts.

Click below to participate—your input and support mean a lot to me 🥰