Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Lenae Hackett.
Jillian, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am an 19-year-old fashion designer, photographer, and artist based in the greater Houston area. I design under my brand Lillian Jenae Designs, which I founded in late 2019. I have been sewing and designing since the age of nice, cultivating my passion and abilities as I have grown. I was born in Lubbock, Texas, and I grew up in the small North Texas town of Collinsville until the fall of 2018, when my family relocated to Montgomery, Texas. I was apart of Lake Creek High school’s first graduating class in 2020 and am now attending Texas Tech University, majoring in apparel design and manufacturing. I continue to have a love for clothing and fashion, I began sewing at the age of nine with my mother’s help. Then I began to learn more about design and garment construction. Through various programs in 4-H and FCCLA, I have had numerous opportunities to cultivate and grow my passion.
At the age of 17, I won third place at the Texas FCCLA State Fashion Design contest. As a senior in high school, I focused on creating clean and professional work to prepare my portfolio for new career opportunities. I was also a Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador at the Houston Galleria. I was highly competitive in high school as competition is a wonderful place for growth. I entered dozens of contests, one being the, All the Rage Dress Design Competition I won in January of 2020, to where my original design is set to be produced and sold exclusively in their store.
Amid the beginning of the pandemic, I joined the creative team of @teenbossbabes on Instagram, at the time, the account had under 300 followers. I am glad to share that in the past six months, we are now nearing 8,000 followers. In July of 2020, I had the privilege of becoming the first Editor-In-Chief of TBB Magazine through @teenbossbabes, and am still currently serving in this role.
In November of 2019, I was invited by Oxford Fashion Studio (a London based fashion company focused on gaining independent fashion designers exposure and recognition). I was asked to present an 8-Look Collection at New York Fashion Week for the Spring and Summer 2022 Season. As of today, this event is under a year away.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
While my passion for design has ever stayed consistent, I have faced obstacles on my way to success. The most difficult was the passing of my father in May of 2019, in which my life as I knew it came to a halt, and I had to determine what would come next.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
Lillian Jenae Designs is an elegant, romantic, and contemporary ready-to-wear brand created for all women. Drawing inspiration from women, nature, and society. Each garment is designed to enhance a woman’s natural beauty. I am most proud of the growth that my brand has experienced over the past year and the support that it has received.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Moving forward, I am most looking forward to the opportunity to learn more as I progress through college and show at New York Fashion Week in September of next year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lillianjenaedesigns.com
- Email: contact@lillianjenaedesigns.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillianjenaedesigns_official/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillian.lenae.14/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-lenae-hackett-69336a1aa/
Image Credit:
*Black ball gown*
Photographer: Toni Ramos
Model/Stylist: Muskan Manzoor
*Matching Set*
Model: Lami Afolabi
*Other Modeled Photos
Model: Makenzi Leonard
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