Meet Jakia Monique March | Fashion Designer & Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jakia Monique March and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jakia, what concept or principle do you live by? 
The value or principle of GRACE matters most to me. Grace; which has various dictionary definitions, is to me, essentially courteous good will. Its giving someone or somethjing the benefit of the doubt, even if it’s not obvious they deserve it. It matters most to me because we all need some grace from time to time, so if we could all dish out some grace as well, life could be a pretty nice trip.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Professionally, I am an Apparel Designer and Visual Artist working with major contemporary fashion brands from coast to coast. I’ve woven my artistic journey through the vibrant landscapes of New York City and Los Angeles over the past decade. More than just a Visual Artist or Fashion Designer, I am a nurturer of artistic communities, driven by a spirit of humanitarianism and helping others.

My canvas extends beyond geographical boundaries, leaving artistic footprints as well as a piece of my heart in cities such as Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Memphis, Paris, London, Cuba, and Berlin. These diverse experiences have shaped my worldview, fostering a profound global awareness of cultures and the intricate identities that define us.

Beyond the literal canvas, my artistic prowess encompasses sustainable fashion design, volunteer art instruction, and freelance apparel design for many fast fashion brands. I guide individuals and organizations through their creative visions, turning dreams into realities. A significant milestone in my journey was my first solo fine art exhibition, entitled: ‘Abstractions in Blackness,’ in August 2020. This showcase was a testament to my resilience during the early months of isolation in New York City amid the global pandemic.
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While movement and color charm the observers of my paintings, the true inspiration behind my work lies in the harmonies of fine art and fashion, seen through the lens of a modern Black American woman.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Malibu Farm Cafe – my fave for breakfast/lunch, then walk the pier and enjoy the view
Leimert Park – one of my favorite cultural hubs in LA – artist Aziz Diagne is a Leimert Park legend, his gallery, Aziz Gallerie is a must-stop, as is Nappily Naturals Nappily Naturals
Awash Ethiopian Food, because it’s the best, don’t @ me! I get all of my skincare & hair care product there. They use the finest organic and chemical free ingredients.
Jon & Vinny’s on Slauson for a quick weekday dinner!
Hollywood Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning. I used to live in Hollywood and I always come back to the Hollywood Farmer’s Market. I just love the vendors and the community so much.
The Grove – for weekday shopping
Griffith’s Observatory – to see the real stars
Malibu Seafood – Malibu for fried seafood perfection
Jetrag – for vintage shopping
Awash Ethiopian Food
Jerusalem Chicken & Villa’s Taco’s

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my incredibly awesome parents! I feel so blessed to the their daughter. I’ve always felt their encouragement, support, and empathy for me. As a lifelong artist, having that kind of support means everything. I am so grateful to have supportive, loving, affectionate parents. They deserve ALL the credit in my story.

Website: https://www.ingramtalleydesignstudio.com

Instagram: @ingramtalley_designstudio

Image Credits
Personal Image: Jesse Winter
Fashion Images: Hri Johnson