Life & Work with Jhen De Webb

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jhen De Webb.

Hi Jhen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a child, I was encouraged to be creative, so fashion, designing, and modeling became my passion. I focused on that, but my mind never left fashion…until the day I was diagnosed with Lupus.

The day I found out that I had lupus is a day that I will always remember. It sticks with me like remembering where you were the day the World Trade Center went down. That day became an immediate dividing line between the “normal” days before and what my “new normal” would now be. Every person infected with Lupus has different indicators that cause them to seek medical advice.

Mine came in 2015 when I started to feel extreme fatigue, sensitivity to sunlight, and an overall slowdown to my normal exercise and daily routine. When I made the appointment with my doctor, I expected to be told to get more rest and watch my diet. I wasn’t ready for the referral to the lab for different blood tests.

Instantly after the diagnosis of Lupus, my dreams and passions for the fashion industry were immediately deferred. After years of working in the medical industry and forgoing my love for modeling, I grew tired of being overly exhausted and enduring daily pain. I sought answers to this debilitating illness, and after seeing that there were very few avenues to go, I decided to educate myself greater with Lupus Awareness.

In 2023, I met other former models who were diagnosed with Lupus, and we all shared the same story of how are dreams were halted. From that point, I formed “Beauty and Pain, Inc”. The focus of Beauty and Pain is to give a platform to models and designers through hosting charitable fashion shows. By gathering these dynamic people, I am able to not only keep my dream alive of being in the fashion industry but I am also able to raise awareness and funds for Lupus. The events thus far have attracted guests, including fashion insiders, celebrities, and style enthusiasts in attendance. The atmosphere is always energetic with enthusiasm as the models hit the runway in a stunning array of outfits, each one more impressive than the last and most of all, for a good cause. Now, as a female who lives with Lupus, I want to build a platform that brings a creative vision for my passion of fashion. What I intend to do with this platform is to provide an outlet for those who are or have been in the fashion industry to collaborate for a great cause and to spread Lupus Awareness.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination. Because of the illness, I was unable to work full-time in the medical industry because of excessive days, not being able to go to work because of the body aches and virtually being unable to get out of bed. But since forming Beauty and Pain, Inc. I have found the strength to endure the daily pains and take baby steps to incorporate Lupus Awareness and the Fashion Industry, and today I am so glad I followed my dreams. My Lupus Awareness platform through fashion and modeling is going places. I am proud of the success story so far. It is growing and going smoothly. It has been an exciting journey and is unselfishly worth it. I have great satisfaction doing what I have passion for. I will continue to strive to be the best in this chosen field. Forward ever, backward never.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Prior to being diagnosed with Lupus, I was well-known as a community activist. Outside of my fashion industry dreams, If I could choose to work in any career field for the next 20 years, my ultimate choice would be to be an activist. To me, activism is a critical component of creating change, thus will enhance the lives of every member of our society. “Each one, Reach One” was a motto I often said to myself. Unfortunately, in today’s society, there is no requirement for us to treat one another with respect and or dignity. At the end of the day, we are all human beings with views, judgments, and families. We should all experience the feeling that we are part of something greater than ourselves. The differences in us all is what makes this world so beautiful and through my activism, I was able to show others our many similarities that if properly nurtured, could bring us closer together and ultimately stronger.

Since retiring from the medical field, I have found joy in building my budding fashion show/charitable organization. I also have a candle company that I host various candle-making seminars.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The fashion industry is all about making statements. The industry moves on the concept of being different, chic, edgy, and continually changing every season of every year. Style to buyers is being diverse from the multitude or making a personal testimony by using garments and accessories that set them apart. Prevalent use and exposure through social media channels has allowed the fashion industry to strive to change the way consumers spend their money. And within the fashion industry, the social media culture plays an integral part of this communication. Hence, where there is fashion, there will be culture and vice versa.

Clothing regardless of what is worn will always be looked upon as a way one can express themselves non-verbally. So, in my opinion, as long as there continue to be positive changes in our culture, and viable influencers are promoting the right things, the fashion industry will continue to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lbfashionexpo.com/
• Instagram: @beautyandpaininc

Image Credits
Juliet Photography Alamy.com Shop at Elevate Boutique Photograph by Gus Deleon Allen Photography Sergio Gonzalez