After a long day behind a camera shooting content for her latest project, up-and-coming multidisciplinary creative Amina Jeng’s energetic aura still lights up the room. The Fashion Art Direction student is thriving in her studies at Manchester Met.
Starting her journey studying in Leeds with an extended diploma in creative practice, Amina dipped into all elements of fashion, from fine art to fashion design and fashion photography. These experiences have shaped her into the artist she is today.
In her most recent university project, Amina took on the roles of creative director, photographer, and stylist. “I’ve looked at Black Ivy style, Black cowboys, horse riding and hip-hop maximalism. But what I really like about it is that it’s all aspects of my own identity that I’ve mixed in.” The Black Ivy style, a movement in the 1950s and 60s, adds a political dimension to her work, blending personal and cultural narratives.
Amina’s face lights up when discussing her interests. “I’m a huge Marvel fan,” she says, with comic books scattered around her room. “Music, especially hip-hop and rap, heavily influences my fashion choices.”
Her maximalist approach is evident in her eclectic style and room décor — a blend of electric colours, textures, jewellery, art, and an extensive magazine and book collection. One of her favourites is Boy, Brother, Friend, a Black-owned magazine exploring the diaspora and male identities through contemporary art, fashion, and theory. “I love expressing my interests and personality through fashion,” Amina explains, dressed in baggy jeans, a FUBU jersey, and an impressive array of jewellery.
Growing up in a predominantly white area was challenging. “It hasn’t been fun,” Amina admits. “I never felt like I fit in, which has had a big impact on my style and how I communicate my identity through my fashion.”
Amina advises young people entering the industry to approach fashion from their own personal perspective and identity: “Bring something new rather than just going down the route of following what everyone else is doing. I like to explore aspects of Black identity that aren’t really talked about much, and I use my platform as a way to educate people.”
Trends now drive overconsumption too, Amina says: “People immediately want the latest thing. And nowadays, it’s often a specific item; like a new brand of jacket, rather than back in the day when it used to be a specific type of jacket which people could search for second-hand.”
“Trends often dictate what people wear, but everyone should feel free to wear what they want.
Revealing her secret to creating the perfect but still affordable wardrobe, Amina says: “I can’t lie, I’ll sit online at home looking up the richer areas around me and go to the charity shops there.”
So what does Amina look forward to in the fashion industry? “In the future, I’d like to collaborate with people. My dream collabs would be Pharrell Williams with Louis Vuitton, and Tyler, The Creator with Golf le FLEUR. Their recent collaboration is my dream!
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