Who You Know: Jessica Stratton

NAME: Jessica Stratton

ROLE & COMPANY: Freelance Fashion Consultancy / Aspiring Tattooist / Occasional Pint Pourer

HOMETOWN: Norwich

CURRENT CITY OF RESIDENCE: London

Describe your typical day to day at work:

So a typical day for me no longer really exists! I made the decision to leave my full time job (yes in lockdown, I know…!) after a long period of deliberation, and I’ll be honest I haven’t really looked back. Yes the security of a regular pay cheque is no longer there to rely on, but the creative space and clarity is something I would not trade. It’s ignited a fire in me and meant that I have to push myself because there’s nothing to fall back on. I was lucky enough during lockdown 1.0 to discover a passion for tattooing, which gave me a new found confidence/(escape route) to leave a career that wasn’t serving me mentally. So to give an idea of what could be a typical day – pre-lockdown - I would go through my diary and DMs, seeing who has reached out for tattoos and locking in times to do them. Spend time drawing up any designs, conferring with the individual to finalise the image they would like. I may have a tattoo that day which means sorting out my space to be clean, ready and comfortable to tattoo in. I spend time practicing drawing, I love life drawing at the moment – and am currently looking to set up a separate account/Etsy to start selling some of my continuous line drawings. I also, because creative endeavours take time to monetise, work on any freelance work I may have at the time – responding to emails, taking any client calls – or working in my old pub! People need their pints, we’re in a pandemic after all!

Tell us about your career journey and how you got your current role:

I’ve definitely always been a worker, my parents got me working in the local farm park at around 12 years old (I’m not sure of the legalities of that, or how miniscule my pay must have been!) but it instilled a strong work ethic in me from early. Before I even got to uni I’d worked in the aforementioned farm park, in the kitchen at a local diner, the shop floor at Next and on the phones processing commercial motor claims at Aviva (shout out to the classic Norwich job path).

I moved to London at 19 to attend London College of Fashion, where I undertook a Fashion Management BA. I successfully completed my degree with a 2:1 but being honest, most of my attention was spent on working and interning. I really loved working in restaurants and bars, and always return back to doing so when needed – I was fortunate enough to become part of the “Parched Family”, a local south London company who own a collection of pubs who have always accommodated me when I’m looking for work (and a place to live!).

On the fashion side, I started interning in my second term of uni and never really stopped. I worked for start-up brand TTYA ran by Irene Agbontaen from whom I learnt so much. I assisted Olie Arnold, then a freelance stylist who was incredibly supportive. I then completed a placement year, 6 months at Dr Martens full-time compiling their social media and writing their blog. Then 6 months in New York attending LIM Fashion Business School and interning at M5 Showroom – a wholesaler specialising in European and Asian brands such as Stone Island. I worked at PAUSE Magazine as a fashion assistant, at Fashion Recruiter called Elite working on their marketing before making the move to PR. I worked as an assistant for Exposure, an amazing agency that further instilled my strong work ethic, when I left there I worked for a few different agencies in a short term capacity before landing at my most recent role as Social & PR Account Manager. There have been other bits and pieces I’ve done in between, helping friends with various projects such as Hatton Labs but that gives you the jist! Currently I’m working with a friend in a freelance capacity, assisting with the press and social for a couple of his clients, back pouring pints (when able, damn it rona) and trying to tattoo as much as possible, following any creative inklings I may have!!

What’s your most memorable career moment?

Tough one! Tattooing my parents was a pretty special moment the other day. It was so validating. My dad especially - he turns 60 in January, has never shown any interest in getting a tattoo and I was the one to tattoo him!

I’ve also had some fantastic moments within Fashion, even if it’s not something I’m looking to actively pursue right now – last year I organised a trip to Italy with Kappa and The Face Magazine. I’ve helped to run the Bobby Abley show for LFW. I increased revenue through the Dr. Martens blog by nearly 400% in 5 months. I got David Beckham in a pair of shoes, but being honest things like that don’t hold the same weight to me that they used to.

What’s one motto that you live by?

It’s nice to be nice – it will always be for the best and is good for your soul.

Name three women creatives who inspire you:

Sharmadean Reid – Founder of Wah Nails and Beautystack. Her journey is amazing! And as someone said to me once, there’s creativity in good business.

Lulu Kennedy – FashionEast Founder, Without her we wouldn’t have so many of the fantastic British brands we love today.

Ava Roeg – Founder Trash Like You, Model, all round creative and my friend . I’m so lucky to have found a friend that makes me strive to do better in my creative field.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to get into your profession?

Know your worth but don’t be an asshole. If you want to support yourself, you’re not above any job – you just need to work smarter in your free time. You never know who you’re going to meet, possibilities can come from anywhere – so many of the jobs I’ve gotten are through working in the pub or taking the time to talk to someone at an event, Work hard, play hard but also rest hard. Take the time to look after yourself, you are your one constant!

Anything else you’d like to add?

Manifest positively, meditate, find a hobby just for you, help your friends and set healthy boundaries. You got this, I believe in you!