Jayne Min
originally published in volume 05
What do you do and why do you do it?
I’m currently the Global Creative Design & Communications Manager for Stussy Women’s. I also do freelance styling and creative consulting on the side.
I was an art major in university then went into a career in apparel design in action sports. Along the way I somehow ended up getting into the digital space – I got into the shoot production, styling, and marketing side of fashion, which ultimately lead my career to where it is today. It’s pretty much a mish-mash of utilising all my experiences up until now, which I enjoy way more than a singular duty or task. I’m basically a professional problem solver.
As a stylist, can you please talk about your ethos and your work process?
There are usually two kinds of gigs for me: corporate client or creative editorial. One is to tell the brand’s story. So, deciphering what that is and how to present it in the best possible light, which can often end up pretty simple and straightforward (depending on the brand of course). The editorials are obviously much more free. With editorials, I enjoy the process of collaborating with the photographer and directing the shoot beyond just showing up with a rack of clothes. Both are fun for me and challenging in different ways, but at the end of the day, I like that it’s not my only gig. I need a bit of variety with work.
Who were your biggest influences growing up?
My biggest influence has always been my older brother. He’s the reason I wore what I wore, listened to certain music, and got into skateboarding. All of it. I wouldn’t have the life I have now without my brother’s influence. Also, of course, my parents being immigrants and raising my brother and I here in Southern California hugely influences how I live on the day-to-day. Their hard work and commitment to our education and, at times, militant upbringing [laughing], are at the core of my work ethic and ambition.
Since you began working in fashion, what are the biggest challenges you have had to overcome? What are the most notable changes you have witnessed in the industry?
If we’re talking about my offline career, I’ve worked in a heavily boy’s club environment, so there are the obvious challenges that come with being a woman. Online-wise, in the beginning, it was about the industry taking you seriously. Now, fashion is so different. There’s a lot more celebrity and people making a name for themselves by self-publishing or self-marketing. At first glance, it’s hard to decipher who is credible and who’s a flash-in-the-pan, but eventually, it all catches up. The cool thing is there’s an opportunity now for talented people to really make a mark and get some shine – people who may found it way more challenging to infiltrate the elite system of the industry back in the day.
What designers interest you at the moment?
I think I’ve become jaded with the current age of celebrity designers, so I tend to gravitate more towards the likes of Dries, Margiela and Rei. I also always knee-jerk say Phoebe Philo, but beyond design, she appeals to me more as a strong female figure, especially with how she prioritizes being a wife and mother. Lately the more human (life beyond their body of work) aspect resonates with me.
What elements of the fashion world do you dislike the most?
In general I don’t like gratuity for gratuity’s sake. I appreciate intentional, thought-out, crafted things – be they design, campaigns or marketing strategies – when things feel honest. Right now everything feels too fast – lots of reacting, quick turnover, more and more product being churned out. Everything feels a bit overwhelming.
Can you talk about LA and what the energy of the city is like at the moment?
You know, everyone used to make fun of LA, but in the last few years there has been a mass exodus from NY. We have so many transplants here now and it’s definitely brought a new energy to the city. A lot of cool things are happening in LA now in the art and fashion scenes, and brands are starting to bring more work and more shows out here. The old Hollywood stereotype isn’t as prevalent and people are starting to accept that maybe it’s not as highbrow as, say, New York, but our weather is a hell of a lot kinder. Quality of life, people!
What is the best thing about living in LA?
The weather.
And the worst?
The lack of bodegas.
How does travelling influence you compared to your daily life in LA?
Travelling for work is one of those taboo things to complain about. It’s not always fun. I feel fortunate that I get to see a lot of new places for work, but on the flipside I also have to go to certain places over and over and over again. When I’m home it makes me turn into more of a hermit than I already am. And because you travel for work, you tend to forget (or not have time) to plan personal trips to just relax and reset. That said, I know I’m lucky and travelling is always such a stark reminder of how vast the world is and that we’re all just tiny blips. It makes me really appreciate what I have but also remember that there are so many important world issues to consider beyond my own immediate bubble.
What places, people and things are inspiring you at present?
On the most intimate level, my friends inspire me. I’ve done quite a good job at surrounding myself with my very tight group of close friends who each inspire me with either their own drive and ambition, their family lives or just plain being great humans. They inspire me to be better and try harder in every way. I’m inspired by older generations – that self-reflection and attitude of simple happiness that kicks in later in life and the curious nature of how they get there! I’m hugely inspired by women who seem to do it all – careers, children, families, friendships – especially the ones who do it with such grace and gusto. Just the human condition, in general, I guess is something I think about a lot. Oh, and furniture.
What kind of impact does the internet and social media have on you and your work?
I have a love-hate relationship with the internet and social media. I’m forever grateful to it for giving me a platform to reach people around the world, for connecting me with life-long friends and obviously for bringing me work. I think I got in at the perfect time when social media (as we know it today) was fairly new and people and brands were still figuring out what to do with it. It allowed for a wide variety of different personalities and looks and opportunities so it was really a launching pad for a lot of people’s careers.
I’ve always had a full-time career while also moving in the digital space, so once I started to become more known for outfits, it turned into an uncomfortable thing for me. In the last few years I’ve taken a step back, or at least I have now figured out a way to use it where I can still look myself in the mirror. I’ve always believed in organic growth and the right people and right projects finding you at the right time, so I’ll just keep doing what I do and see what happens. But goddamnit if I don’t love a good meme.
What are your ambitions and goals for the future?
It’s simple really. I’d just like to be well regarded by my colleagues and known to be a hard-worker, hopefully with decent taste. But, to be completely honest, it would be a dream to do a Costco/Kirkland collaboration and then peace out to ranch life.
Photography _ Jerry Buttles
Writer _ James Oliver