We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jingjing Jia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with JINGJING below.
JINGJING, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
To be honest, I keep my creativity alive by diving headfirst into life. I mean, creativity isn’t something you can just schedule or force—it’s like that unexpected friend who shows up when you’re least prepared. For me, inspiration often strikes in the most random places: while I’m jamming to some electronic music, people-watching in a crowded café, or even having those deep, late-night talks where you somehow solve all the world’s problems in your head.
I also love to break my routine. One day, I might be hiking to reconnect with nature, and the next, I’m wandering through an art gallery, letting each piece of work hit me differently. I guess what I’m trying to say is, I never let myself get too comfortable. I chase experiences, emotions, and moments that make me feel something—anything! And that’s where the magic happens. It’s less about keeping creativity alive and more about letting it breathe on its own terms.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m Jingjing Jia, a stylist and creative director who sees fashion as a way to tell stories. I’m into capturing emotions and moments, not just outfits. I’ve worked on projects from magazine shoots to styling musicians, always blending different influences to keep things interesting. Right now, I’m diving deeper into how fashion connects with music and art, experimenting and letting my creativity flow. It’s all about those genuine, unexpected details that make each project feel alive.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Adaptability: In this industry, things change fast. You have to be ready to switch directions and adjust on the fly. The best way to develop this is to keep an open mind and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Try new things, even if they seem intimidating.
Patience: Creative work takes time, and sometimes the results aren’t instant. Being patient with yourself and the process is crucial. Start small—give yourself the space to experiment and make mistakes without rushing.
Genuine Curiosity: Always stay curious about the world around you. Whether it’s exploring different cultures, trying out new art forms, or simply asking questions, curiosity will keep your creativity alive. Never stop learning, because that’s where all the exciting ideas come from.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to embrace uncertainty and let go of the need for control. As someone who always prided themselves on being organized and prepared, it was a huge shift for me to realize that not everything has to be perfect to be valuable. I used to believe that every styling project needed to follow a strict plan, but I’ve learned that the most interesting outcomes often happen when things don’t go as expected.
One moment that really drove this lesson home was during a shoot where almost everything went wrong—models running late, wardrobe malfunctions, unexpected weather changes. In the past, I would’ve panicked, but instead, I chose to lean into the chaos. We improvised, adapted, and ended up creating something far more authentic and raw than I had initially envisioned. That experience taught me that sometimes, the beauty lies in the imperfections and that being open to change can lead to unexpected moments of brilliance.
On a personal level, this mindset has spilled over into my everyday life. I’ve become more comfortable with not having all the answers and trusting that things will unfold as they’re meant to. It’s been incredibly freeing and has allowed me to approach my work and life with a sense of curiosity and adventure that I didn’t have before. This journey has taught me that growth isn’t about always knowing what’s next; it’s about finding the courage to explore the unknown and discovering new parts of myself along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jingjing-jia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/8bit.gurl/
- Other: Portfolio: https://www.instagram.com/j.i.a_project/
RedBook/小红书: @8BitGurl
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