STYLE Sessions: Jami Svay Launches Raw Sugar Couture

It might be intimidating for some to interview such an illustrious artist, but the first thing you notice when talking to Jami Svay is her infectious personality, which makes it much easy to understand how one woman can be extraordinary at so many things.  Funny, kind, polished, Jami is the brightest person in the room, and chances are the most talented.

A celebrated makeup artist, who has been in the business of enhancing people’s natural beauty for years, Jami has worked on celebrities such as Michael Jordan and Brooklyn Decker and has worked the runway for Rodarte, Oscar de la Renta, Neiman Marcus, Perry Ellis and more.

Jami is an ambitious woman, not content exclusively being a distinguished makeup artist, she has also created and sold her own line of cosmetics, and just recently launched her own line of hair accessories called Raw Sugar Couture.  We were lucky enough to sit down with Jami one-on-one and pick her brain about her most recent venture.

What prompted you to launch your own line of hair accessories?
Well, I started sewing when I was 12 years old.  It’s funny; the first thing I made was a slip dress for my Mom on Mother’s day, so I think its always been in my blood.  I actually went to school in Atlanta for fashion design, but fell into makeup.  Its all under the same umbrella really.  Raw Sugar Couture started this past summer in Brooklyn, I sold my first headband off of my own head on the street!  A woman stopped me and asked me where I got it and I told her I made it.   That’s what sparked the idea.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?  What are your influences?
I draw from a mix of vintage and new.  I sew everything by hand using vintage fabric and recycled clothing.  I like to draw from the old but make it new, every piece has its own story.  Every item is one of a kind.  I grew up in a time when there were real designers, not celebrities creating fashion.  My inspiration is to really get back to the rawness of fashion in its purest form, that’s where I got the idea to name my line Raw Sugar Couture.

Can you tell us more about any current or upcoming personal projects?
Besides my new line on Etsy, I also host my own beauty and fashion segment on Fox Charlotte every Monday morning from 8:30am-8:45am.  I am also working with the American Cancer Society to donate headbands to girls with hair loss.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
Still creating!  Still finding new ways to express myself while keeping a pulse on the community.

What’s your mantra?
I knew I loved makeup when I realized I can enhance lives.  When you look good you feel good, and when you feel good you can do great things.

What is your favorite Fall/Winter trend?
I am loving Lady Gaga in Vogue, hair is the new makeup.  It’s all about the hair accessories!

What products couldn’t you live without?
I am virtually bald in the eyelash department, so I absolutely love a good mascara.  I use Neiman Marcus Chantecaille mascara, it works so well my eyelashes almost look like falsies.  Also, a good pink lip gloss is a must; I won’t even go check the mail without lip gloss!

 Interested in learning more about Raw Sugar Couture?  Check out the line on Etsy, watch the Behind the Scenes video from the Raw Sugar Couture photo shoot.  Follow Jamie Svay on Twitter @JamiSvay.

Check out photos from the new Raw Sugar Couture Fashion Shoot!

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