IN CONVERSATION | YASMIN JAY

Yasmin Jay is a role model for women all around the world. As a fashion influencer and designer, she is fusing modesty, gravitas and glamour to inspire women to feel confident in their identity and style.

She sprinkles her charm wherever she goes... and we had the pleasure of chatting to Yasmin about her life, loves and inspirations.

Yasmin wears the Perpetual wrap dress layered over the Delirium mini dress.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

I almost always start the day with a morning Instagram scroll of course! I like to see what’s trending in the blogosphere and what conversations are being had. It’s also a great time to address questions from my wonderful followers.

My day-to-day plans consist of content creation which can range from bedroom style and beauty videos to going on site to shoot a cute sundress on the beach! I like the energy of my page to feel authentic, so a lot of the location shoots actually happen while I’m having a brunch date with friends, shopping with mum or at events and meetings I’m attending.

 Last but certainly not least, any downtime I have at home is spent working on my namesake label which is launching soon.

You studied fashion design and have your own modest fashion label. Tell us about the vision for your brand?

I have always loved fashion and decided to pursue it as further study after school, graduating with a Bachelor of Fashion Design from the Whitehouse Institute of Design (in Sydney) last year.  What started as a casual styling hobby turned into a love for design and craftsmanship.

When I first decided to wear the hijab, modest fashion didn’t have the resonance it has now, and I felt there was a gap in the market for practical and stylish modest clothes. I love taking a simple pattern and adding a luxe or embellished fabric to make it funky.

The vision for Yasmin Jay is to encourage all women who enjoy modest fashion to feel confident, empowered and elevated when they wear one of my pieces.

When it comes to religion and style, what would you say is the biggest misconception people have about Islam and fashion?

I would say the biggest misconception is that Islam and fashion are two separate entities. Muslim women are just like any other, they want to feel beautiful and confident. Modest fashion has opened a huge door for us hijabistas because we can proudly practise our faith without skimping on style. 

 The aim is to be a voice for my community, to breakdown mainstream stereotypes and inspire the youth who are figuring out their identity. People say fashion is frivolous, but when you see diversity and inclusivity,  it does make  a difference.

Yasmin wears the Delirium wrap dress.

Creativity is at the core of what we are all about at Ginger & Smart. What does creativity mean to you?

For me, creativity means there is no right or wrong answer. It’s expressing yourself freely and reflecting on what you want to put out into the world. I take that notion seriously. Each detail tells a story. It’s an artistic journey that’s all about pushing the boundaries and challenging the norms.

Being leaders around social responsibility is also important to us, what does sustainability mean for you?

With so many global issues happening around us – climate change, plastic pollution, deforestation, loss of coral reefs, biodiversity and water scarcity, just to name a few – the fashion industry should be one of the spaces creating solutions.

Put simply, the clothes you wear matter. Unfortunately, the fashion industry has traditionally had, and still has, an enormous negative impact on the planet. Fashion should be practiced in a way which is most considerate of humanity and the environment, reducing the impact wherever possible.

What advice would you give other girls who want to make it as a fashion influencer?

Be yourself. People are more inclined to gravitate to those who are genuine in what they do. Don’t look at other influencers and use them as the standard, just keep pushing yourself to be the best possible version of you, and don’t give up. Be your own trendsetter and own your style! Looking for inspo is totally okay but make sure you add your own unique twist. That’s what will set you apart.

Favourite piece in the Ginger & Smart Spring Sanguine Collection?

Definitely the Delirium wrap dress. I’d pair this with one of my nude toned scarves and a pair of slip on kitty heels. A perfect look for Spring with all its floral notes! This dress exudes interconnectedness and nature amongst a rhapsody of colour. It’s the perfect dress to feel effortless and stylish in, a must-have this season.