Meet Jaya Camp: Fashion & Editorial Stylist and Wardrobe Consultant

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

Hi Jaya, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
That’s a really good question. One of the main lessons that being a fashion stylist has taught me is that I work incredible under pressure. Growing up into my adult years I never could work under pressure or being stressed in certain situations. I would fold or just give completely up because the stress of it all would be too much. For example, 1 of my most successful editorial shoots almost didn’t happen. The model that I had chosen for that project had to cancel on me days before the shoot for personal reasons. I was left with no model and had to scramble to find a replacement and new clothing in HOURS. I know 18 year old Jaya would have just called off the whole shoot, cried and maybe even given up my whole career honestly. Instead I took a huge breather, pulled out my planner, went through all my resources and my closet for the clothing and turned everything around in just a few hours. That shoot turned out to be a success and has gotten me 2 magazine publications. This also wasn’t the first time that this has happened to me but looking back at the situation and reflecting I’ve learned an amazing thing about myself and that is that I’m a pusher and no matter what comes my way I’m gone keep pushing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a fashion stylist but they’re a lot of different type of stylists that a person can pursue. I would consider myself more of an Editorial Stylist. An editorial stylist is the most creative career path out of them all. We mainly work for magazine covers and shoots which I absolutely love. It allows me to be super creative and express myself in my weirdness. I have people ask me all the time how do I come up with ideas for my projects and my honest answer is music. I could listen to a song and once the song is over I will have a whole project/shoot that I just came up with to match the mood of the song. I really can’t explain it. I know it sounds crazy but music is a huge inspiration for my career. How I even got into the fashion industry professionally is because of a woman named Brittany Diego and her Fashion Mentor Program. I discovered her through the good ol’ Instagram app and as I was checking out her page I looked into her program and we’ve been locked in ever since. I’ve even traveled to LA a few times because of her program. She really teaches you the ropes, insides and out, pros & cons of the industry that other people think it’s a crime to tell. I didn’t go to fashion school but I did invest into my career and NETWORK! I can’t stress enough how important is to network in whatever career choice you go for. Networking opened doors for me that I never would have imagined. I am now a 4x Published Editorial Stylist with my own stylist business that I will expand in the future and I did that without even going to fashion school. Anything is possible.

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.
My hometown is Louisville, KY, the biggest city in Kentucky and the most urban city out the state. There’s a lot to do here in Louisville. If my best friend was visiting I would definitely take her to Bardstown Road and the Highlands area for the weekend if we were trying to have drinks with some good food and a good party scene. Our 4th Street Live in the downtown area is also a bomb place for some drinks and a good time. Mall St. Matthew is the best mall to shop in Louisville. Of course I can’t forget about our Kentucky Derby which is literally the best time to come to the city. If Louisville, KY isn’t known for anything else, we are definitely known for our Derby. We have Derby activities starting in April leading up to the derby race that is held at Churchill Downs every May. It’s a very fun time to be in the city. There’s so many good parties being held at once you can’t even decide what party to go to, bars are popping, celebrities flock here to perform at concerts, it’s a fun time for us!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest support, fan, friend, inspiration, mentor is my mother Robin Camp. My mother is the reason why I went to the career that I’m in because I watched her being a fashionista growing up. When I told her I wanted to be a fashion stylist she never doubted me and supported me 100% since day 1. There was times that I wanted to give up and throw it all away but her encouragement kept me going through my storms. My mother is even my manager and hasn’t missed a beast since I started my business, I love you Ma! My dad, Jay Camp is also a great supporter of mine as well. One of the best lessons my dad has taught me growing up is that if you want to be successful in life you have to work hard for it and I’m doing just that! I love you daddy forever! A woman who is not related to me I want to give a HUGE thank you to, Brittany Diego. I can’t thank you enough! You took me under your wing and actually showed me the ropes of being in the industry and I seriously owe my success to you!!! Another shoutout is to Chi Illochi, another fashion entrepreneur in the industry who is killing the game. She was the 1st person to give me my 1st magazine cover to her magazine and may I add is the reason I even got this interview. I can’t thank you enough! To my close friends Jamari, Cedric, Demi, Desiree, Keila, Halie, and BBOD: Shannon, Sasha & Miah, you guys ALWAYS support me and I’ve never had to even ask. I love y’all for holding me down! I’m forever grateful for the love and support! XOXO

Website: jayacampstyles.com

Instagram: @jayashakur @jayacampstyles

Facebook: Jaya Camp

Youtube: Jaya Camp

Image Credits
Photographer – Halie Vertrees, Aundrea Matchen, Babacar Sambe Models – Bebe Davis, Diamond Ross, Aliyah Cook, Henry Johnson, Talivia Sallee, Kayla Payton, Bailey Cannon