Kimesha Skeete had a dream: that one day she would be making couture pieces that would have women clamouring to wear them. And that dream has come true.
Kimesha took a leap of faith and quit her job as a social worker four years ago when her gut told her it was time to pursue her dream of being a fashion designer. She said it was one of the best decisions she ever made and now the 31-year-old entrepreneur is living life to its fullest.
JITAFA Couture is the name of her business and she said the acronym is responsible for her life changing decision. She explained to EASY magazine that her spirit was longing for more than what she was doing previously and after several days of contemplation she made up her mind.
“I used to make clothes for my dollies and as I got older I started making clothes for myself,” she said.
“And I love shopping but after a while it got crazy because I did not want to wear the same outfits other women wore . . . . I wanted to be different and unique and I wanted to set my own trends.”
The self-taught fashion designer said that her family members support her in the new venture.
“At first I could not make a pants but my aunt told me that anytime I want to learn how a garment is made, turn it inside out. I followed her advice and now I can make them effortlessly.
“My aunt also bought me two machines and that touched me. She went out her way to get them for me and I had felt so fussy. She really pushed me to take what I considered as a side job to being a business and for that I am truly grateful.”
Kimesha admitted that at first she was stumped with operating the overlock machine which gave her a bit of trouble when it came to threading. She said she spent hours practising and finally it came naturally.
“It gave me so much trouble at first.The tension would pop but I had to settle myself and practise. I did not want to take out the bobbing or thread after the first time I threaded the machine because I knew it was going to be difficult doing it all over again,” she said laughingly.
Kimesha said that she is able to spend more quality time with her 11-year-old daughter, Nyesha Skeete, now that she works for herself. She told EASY that during her family time she talks to Nyesha about the importance of following your heart and staying true
to oneself.
“I enjoyed doing social work but doing the same thing every day started to get monotonous. I wanted to create. Art is my thing and it allows me to express myself in ways that I otherwise would not be able to. If I had pushed myself to do art in school I could have been an artist too but when I was younger I did not see it as a career and now that I have realised the potential of art I talk to my daughter and tell her to choose a career that she loves and not one just to make money.”
Kimesha, known as Kim to friends and family, said it wasn’t easy quitting her job.
“JITAFA stands for Jesus Is The Answer For All and that is exactly what happened. I was thinking of going to the University of the West Indies to study but I was not sure. I prayed and prayed on it and one day a voice asked me, “Kim, I gave you a gift and you saying you are too good for it?” and I believe that was God.
“So I was like, okay, God I am going to take it up. However, I did not want to be a seamstress. I did some research and I realised that fashion designers showcase their work worldwide and come up with fashion-forward ideas and I felt that that was what I am capable of. I think I have ideas that would blow you away and I am strategically planning how I would showcase them.”
Kim said that she feels as though her life has now begun. She feels like she has been set free.
“Where I work was mentally torturing my creativity and development. I could not take lunch as I please nor travel with my daughter; and my workplace got a new manager who I felt was always targeting me. When I turned up for work I felt depressed and I would get headaches.
“Eventually, I say it was God’s way of pushing me to get into fashion design, so I handed in my resignation letter and took a leap of faith. At first I was worried about how I would pay the bills and support my daughter but when God has a plan for you nothing can get in your way.”
Kim is already pushing Nyesha to follow her dreams. She said Nyesha loves to dance and she encourages her to practise each day.
Kim is also interested in interior decorating and event planning. She loves to transform the look of a room.
“I love to create an atmosphere and make people feel welcome when they enter a room. I think I would like to hit the British market in the future because the whole idea of fashion here is not on the level I would like to see it at. I am British so I have an idea of what appeals to the ladies over there.”
Kim said that unlike other designers she likes to create a design in her head and make it instead of drawing sketches. She explained that if she draws her ideas she ends up having an overdesigned piece.
Kim said a special thanks to her customers as without them her dream would not be a reality. (SB)
