The ever so flamboyant, fun, fearless and unapologetic being. The gender non-conformist and someone who has an obsession with fashion.
The MonoTeam caught up with Jay-Aeron to talk all things fashion, make up and collaborations with the free spirit artist.
Talk to us about your love for fashion and makeup, how did that affair start?
I believe that fashion and make-up are quintessential. It’s like water and oxygen. You need it, it’s certainly one of those things you can’t live without, if you ask me! At a very tender age I was exposed to a lot of fashion magazines and music videos of which contributed to where the affair started. I loved/love how editorial the models would look in these high fashion photographs, styled to perfection and beat for the gods. It was then that I knew that I have a place in this culture. It had a great influence on how I’d dress and look in the small community of Karasburg. I always knew I was cut from a different bedazzled cloth. In terms of make-up, due to the fact that I was so stylish, girls would approach me to do their make-up for prom and beauty pageants. I was scared at first but I later went ahead and got the job done. From the age of 16 I started wearing make-up myself. I looked at it as “I am my own muse”.
Is that what you’ve always wanted to do? Do you have other career aspirations?
I always knew that I had a contribution to make in the fashion and beauty industry and it’s coming along very progressively. It’s also very beneficial to our country’s own fashion and beauty scene, it’s surely growing and I promised myself that I want to do something about this change in growth within the Namibian fashion sphere. Other career inspiration always had something to do with media. After school I worked at a community radio station and the passion for this medium really blossomed thus I’m currently obtaining a Diploma in Media Arts & Technology Studies, specializing in Radio Production at the College of the Arts.
What do you want to be known for?
This is a tough one. I want to be known as someone who broke the rules when it came to fashion. I want people to think of turmoil and slayage when they hear my name.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from a lot of things. Be it music, art, nature, videos, basically anything pop culture oh and of course gay culture.
What message do you wish to send across with your art?
I want each and everyone to live in their truth. It’s only through that, you can be yourself, face your fears and achieve the impossible.
Your favourite project/collaboration?
It would most definitely be the Afrofuturistic village exhibition by Masiyaleti Mbewe. That was phenomenal, not because I was one of muses for it, but the message was so powerful and it also challenged me as a make-up artist to bring her vision to life.
Highlight of your journey so far?
Everyday is a highlight, be it in life or on my face 😉. I’m very humbled and appreciative of everything I’ve learned and all that I still need to learn on this rough and cold streets. But I absorb, analyse and utilise. So, to wake up every morning, ready to slay is a highlight for me.
Plans for the Jay Aeron brand
I want to collaborate with free spirited artists around Africa in anyway possible that will advocate for change and relief from exploitation in the fashion industry.
Keep up with Jay Aeron on Instagram
