Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaya Jackson.
Yaya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started sewing with my mom as a kid. She’s kind of a secret fiber arts superhero, so she would go through spurts of making curtains for our apartment, Halloween costumes for my siblings and myself, and fun accessories. When I was in middle school, my mom signed me up for sewing classes at the local fabric store which is where I learned the technical skills of sewing and pattern making. From there onward, sewing was very much a cathartic activity for myself. Whether it was stress with homework, boys, or college apps, I’d always push those things aside to sew and sort out my feelings.
In college, I started wearing my creations out and posting them on Instagram more openly. I didn’t intend to ever make things for other people, but the positive feedback I received encouraged me to challenge myself in terms of how fast and how clean I could make things.
The growth really began during the pandemic. I started making masks for my friends and family. My dad dropped off a bag of his old t-shirts and asked me to rework them into masks. After posting them online, I started taking requests on a donations only basis. I made some cow print masks that ended up going viral on Depop and that’s when I realized I could start taking sewing more seriously and comfortably share my work with others. I was always just very nervous about that aspect, but my community has always been so supportive in encouraging me to continue creating and sharing things that show my authentic taste and sensibilities.
In addition to making masks, I started making small-batch totes and hats with deadstock fabrics. I personally wear pretty much the same outfits on repeat, so I’ve always liked to wear statement accessories to change the vibe of my look. My friend, Jayna, was the first person to buy at hat from me and from there, I realized one of the greatest gifts of being able to create and make things is being able to make unique pieces that align with someone else’s vibe and transfer my positive energy to them. Since then, I’ve been regularly sharing my handcrafted accessories on Depop and Instagram.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When I first started sharing my creations, I got anxious about staying on trend. I found myself, at times, making things that didn’t authentically represent my spirit in order to meet supply and demand. I’ve come to find out, by process of trial and error, that people didn’t respond to pieces that were contrived in that sense, even if they were what was considered “in style.” I’ve really slowed down my process and only work with fabrics and on patterns that are my vibe or something I personally would wear. Though it means I may go a few weeks without updating my shop, I’ve found that I’m happier with the pieces that I make when I don’t rush them or force myself to create.
Logistically speaking, I don’t drive. Getting material or getting to pop-ups has always been a fun challenge. I’m so grateful for my dad; he literally would call me when I first started sharing my work and be like “ Should we go look for some fabric today?” My boyfriend has also been a huge source of support. Every pop-up I’ve done, he’s driven me, helped set up my spots. Any challenge I’ve faced, I’ve had such wonderful support and learned how to navigate it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in one of one and small-batch accessories made with dead stock fabrics. I’m known particularly for head accessories and totes. Head accessories sounds silly, but in addition to crafting hats, I make crowns (which are funky headband oversized vibes) and detached hoods as of late. I sometimes make sweaters and other clothing pieces, but I really love, and have always loved, accessorizing,
Of all the things I make, I particularly love making hats and headwear. As of woman of color, my hair is very important to me but not necessarily society. Whether I’m wearing my natural curls or braids, I have always found difficulty finding hats that fit my head ( and don’t mess up my hair). The measurements I use with the hats I make are based on my measurements with my braids and curls. That’s my norm. I love that my hats have spoken to other black and biracial women in that sense as it’s a microaggression we have all experienced.
I’m also very proud of the crowns I make. I started making them because I was tired of hair ties ripping out my hair and snapping when I would try to put my hair in a bun. They started out as just jumbo scrunchies and morphed into headbands because I thought they looked cute. When I first took them to a pop up, so many curly girls saw them and immediately got what the purpose of them was for. I love that my work speaks the secret language women of color share.
I think it’s hard to say what sets my work apart from others besides the fact it’s my energy and spirit that births them. The fabrics I select and the designs I make are all extremely conscious and intentional. I love subtle statements, I love big brims, long ties, massive tote bags, and unorthodox fabrics. The choices I make when creating are always deliberate and reflect where I’m at in life. I try to make everything with purpose, whether the purpose is to feel hot on a Tuesday on tinder date or to be utilitarian in the sense of preserving one’s curls.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I didn’t go to fashion school! People ask me often when meeting me if I went to FIDM. Funny enough, I have a degree in Liberal Arts and Women, Gender and Sexuality studies from Cal State LA. Besides the sewing classes I took in my youth, I’m pretty much self-taught. I’m a very intuitive person; definitely a kinestic, visual learner. Every so often, when I’m majorly stumped, I’ll turn to Google for tips on how to do something, but I truly love pushing myself to figure out things on my own. I often just draw what I want to make and guess what shapes will work and then go through the process of trial and error with my patterns. Personally, I’m happy I did not go to fashion school. I’m not a fan of rules or conventions when it comes to creating. If I don’t know of any rules, I’m not restricted by anything.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: Depop.com/yayamade
- Instagram: Instagram.com/yaya.made
Image Credits
Brandon Tran Drea Sarmiento
