Name: Je’nea Marie Thomas
Where do you live? Louisville, KY
Area of study: MFA Fashion Merchandising
Day job / occupation: Humana Insurance Company; Grievance and Appeals Specialist
What qualities do you most value in others?
Honesty, Integrity, Commitment, and Self-respect
Name three of your favorite designers, journalists, bloggers, stores, etc:
My all time favorite designer would have to be Coco Chanel. She embodied so much more than just being a designer. She was one of the first to do what she did in Fashion, and she was such a classy lady. One of her quotes that I also say is “A woman should be two things, classy and fabulous”. I also really love Jessica Simpson. Her collections are really unique and everything fits me! Fit is everything when you’ve got a few curves :). If I had to choose a favorite store, it would have to be H&M. I can go in H&M and find anything! What’s even more crazy is there isn’t one in Louisville, so I have to travel an hour and a half away to the closest one lol. When I’m not planning that shopping trip, I’m living in Target. I absolutely LOVE Target and there is never an experience when I go in there and spend less than $50!
List a guilty pleasure:
SWEETS and SHOES! I am a junk food junkie. I love a really good dessert. An ideal Saturday would consist of a Strawberries and Champagne cupcake while shopping for shoes. I have a ridiculous amount of shoes in my closet.
What is your present state of mind?
Though I live in the present, I am always excitedly anticipating the future and what there is in store for me.
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What is your dream job?
To have my own boutique that houses my own collections. I have a BA in Sociology and Anthropology, so I would ideally like to use that background as well. My dream is to have a boutique downstairs, and a counseling office upstairs. People would be able to come in and participate in workshops on self esteem etc. They can receive a makeover on the inside, as well as the outside.
What is the most important thing that people should know about you?
That I am a Christian. I am not perfect but I strive to be a better person everyday. I am a work in progress, but I NEVER give up!
When was the first time you recognized your interest in fashion?
The first time I recognized my LOVE for Fashion was probably in middle school when I was trying to accessorize my school uniform lol. When I was a little girl, I used to carry a purse with lip gloss and a mirror in it. All of my pictures as a little girl are me, holding some type of accessory with ruffle socks and little white gloves on.
Where have you found inspiration lately?
In my friends. All of my close friends have a love for Fashion but they all put their own spin on things. I often like to take a small thing from each one of them and combine them to see what I can get out of it.
What is your most valued possession?
My shoe collection! If there was a house fire, after my family was safe, I would definitely start throwing my shoes out of the window lol. All of my shoes are still in their homes (boxes) and placed very carefully in my home (my closet). It’s probably safe to say I have a shoe problem…but I’m ok with that!
What music do you like to listen to?
I listen to everything, it just depends on my mood. But, I mostly listen to hip hop, r&b and gospel. I’m a huge Beyonce and Jay Z fan. I love music that has a purpose.
If you had an opportunity to travel back in time, who would you like to meet, and why?
I would like to meet my mother’s father. He passed away when my mother was a teenager and all of my aunt’s and uncle’s talk about him all of the time. After I met him, I would ask if he’s seen CoCo Chanel around;).
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