Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaina Lai Hing.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I literally started my business on a prayer! In the midst of a trying life experience, I decided to take a chance. I was tired of living with the idea that I was “incapable of” and living with fear. I decided to “bet” on myself and go for it!
At the beginning of 2018, I created a styling blog/business. At the end of that year, I expanded my brand and created a t-shirt line, mainly as an outlet for self-expression. I came up with the quote, “your style is your soul, that surfaces through fabric.”
For me, style is culture. Style is character. Style is tradition. Style is belief. Style is experience. When people saw Jade Chic, I wanted them to know that it was created out of life experience. One that I thought others could relate to. From my ancestral background to present-day trials and triumphs, as a black woman, I wanted to honor and embrace the process of resilience; then to now. I wanted to share my experience, so I created my t-shirt line. Jade Chic’s first ever t-shirt design/slogan expresses exactly what it means to persevere. The classic tee reads, “Product of Resilience”. Jade Chic was built off of just that…resilience!
Jade Chic works to influence and create a space for daring self-expression and creativity while also celebrating Black culture. It is influenced by life experience as a whole and various cultural backgrounds, but Black culture is at the center and is the foundation of the brand’s creative inspiration. Jade Chic is founded on the principles of celebration and education for the culture, through wearable art.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
A smooth road? No. A manageable one? Yes. It is a road worth traveling. My biggest struggle was self-doubt. It was a challenge to overcome. Honestly, we are capable of doing anything, if we have the mindset to do it! That begins with belief. Belief in ourselves. So now, although I have overcome that initial feeling of doubt and fear, in starting a business, whenever I do feel that uneasiness, I affirm myself and my place. It helps keep me grounded and motivated.
Please tell us about Jade Chic.
Jade Chic is all about promoting style and whole body health, while also encouraging self- expression and self-care. Jade Chic is composed of two branches: Jade Chic Style Studio and Jade Chic The Brand. Jade Chic Style Studio provides support to those individuals who need assistance developing their own sense of style and for individuals who are looking to try a new style. Jade Chic works to provide smooth transitions with personal styling, closet revamping and in house styling sessions. Jade Chic the brand is the t-shirt line, which is showcased on the website. All slogans and designs on Jade Chic t-shirts are centered around black identity and values like: perseverance, willingness, thanksgiving, acceptance, grace and resilience. What I am most proud of is being true to my brand. I am proud that my brand reflects my personal values and salient identities (being a Black American). Not only is my business an outlet for my own creative expression, but it encourages others to shape their own narratives and engage in free self-expression, I believe that is what makes my business unique.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
186 Milford St, Brooklyn, NY. I spent some of the best years of my life at this house, hanging on the stoop with my cousins, Playing baseball and basketball outside, with the milk cartoon and sneaking off the stoop to run to the corner store and be back in time before any of our parents noticed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jadechic.style
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jadechicstylestudio/
Image Credit:
Curtis Walters i4perfection
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