Meet Yaya Jackson | Seamstress, artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yaya Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yaya, what makes you happy? Why?
So many things! I think my family makes me the happiest. I love them with all my heart. I feel so safe spit balling all my ideas off them and they are always so supportive and encouraging. My boyfriend and I are both creatives, so hanging out with him and just developing our respective ideas brings me such joy. Making the ideas in my brain into tangible things. Also, Ethiopian food, poodles, and good basketball games.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a seamstress. I make small batch headgear and sweaters with dead stock fabrics. I am deeply inspired by fabrics, drama, and simple shapes. I love using long ties and large shapes to create subtle statement pieces that have a nostalgic vibe to them. Because I make everything by hand and I am particular about the fabrics I use, my pieces are all limited run and very unique. More often than not, there is only one version of the piece available. You won’t see someone wearing the same piece as you at a bar or party. I am deeply inspired by late 80s/ early 90s Lisa Bonet energy. It’s still an evolving project, but my growth has been in major part to word of mouth and individuals with great style trusting my makes and integrating them into their wardrobe. I have received such support for the community as well! I am still learning, but I think the best piece of advice I have received is to just trust yourself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First things first, we would go to Little Ethiopia and grab lunch at Messob. We’d get the fish and veggies (I am deeply obsessed with the yemisir wot). After lunch, we’d probably head over to Shatto 39 Lanes to bowl for a bit! In a week, I’d hope to go to a few museums, a few galleries, a few shows! So much is happening in LA right now, we’d probably stumble upon something fun to do in DIY night scene. Funny enough, I’d probably suggest leaving LA for a few of those days to go to Palm Springs and just be in the sun by the pool all day!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mom and dad are my biggest cheerleaders. My mom is very pragmatic and detail oriented. She taught me how to sew and all the technical aspects of it. My dad is extremely creative as well and paints. Ever since I was young, any idea I had he would push me to see it through, no matter how far fetched it was. I get my balance from them. Putting yourself out there creatively is a very vulnerable thing. My parents always encouraged me not to be afraid to be myself.

Instagram: instagram.com/yaya.made

Image Credits
Maya Mabern, Yaya