Kitchen Goddess Interviews Jacqui Joseph
Jacqui Joseph is a familiar face having graced our screens on popular TV shows including GMTV, Daybreak & Lorraine, This Morning, E4′s Wife Swap the Aftermath, Hollywood Gossip, Bet Honours Awards, Alan Titchmarsh show, Michael Ball show, BIG Strong Boys for BBC and Nightlife for ITV. What many don’t realise is that Jacqui’s talents reach far beyond the screen and include fashion and interior design. Jacqui recently opened her own online boutique ( Jacqui Joseph Designs ) featuring her own limited edition homeware deisgns and also a collection showcasing the works of renowned and emerging artists. We had the privledge of getting behind the scenes at Jacqui Joseph Designs and finding out more about her latest venture…..
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up and why?
Can you believe, I wanted to be a ballerina; I attended ballet lessons for about 4 years until I was 14! I loved the gracefulness of ballerinas and dance…then I think I became too tall and felt a little self-conscious! I then wanted to be a nurse, and as time went by I wanted to be a successful business woman….maybe this is it!
You have worked on a number of TV shows including GMTV, Daybreak & Lorraine, This Morning and Hollywood Gossip, what have been the highlights for you so far?
There are a few but – My biggest and proudest highlight was being one of the Ambassadors of the Nelson Mandela 46664 concerts in South Africa. It was an honour to be asked to be part of this magnificent and important event. The 46664 initiative was devised by Dave Stewart, Roger Taylor and Brian May from Queen along with their long-time manager Jim Beach; using the prison number of Mandela (46664) to help rid Africa of HIV & Aids. It was supported by a host of African and International Artists, who all gave their time to create new music and to collaborate with other artists……It was pretty manic as you can imagine having to research do the official interviews during the day and then backstage interviews during the concert, shown to the live audience (approx. 50,000) and of course the viewers watching at home, as well as introducing acts and special recorded messages from World Leaders, Actors and dignitaries from across the World. It was full on but I did it again in 2007! Meeting Madiba albeit very briefly on his way into Green point Stadium for the first concert, was a magical moment……and of course interviewing everyone from Beyoncé, U2, Naomi Campbell, Dave Stewart, Queen, the Corrs, Ludacris and Jamelia to name but a few.
Another fab highlight was meeting Will Smith for This Morning……He’s so very funny and gracious. He really is a star to interview, funny, sharp as a razor, a bit of a flirt and not bad looking too.
And meeting Oprah Winfrey for GMTV in one of her rare visits to LA, she was amazing, inspiring and has two lovely cocker spaniels!
Tell us about your time spent in the fashion industry and how it affected your decision to open your own online boutique?
I suppose I’ve always been interested in fabrics, my Mother was a seamstress and made most of our clothes growing up. After studying women’s and men’s light clothing and pattern cutting for three years, I then went on to work in the industry in various guises from cutting assistant, design assistant, to production. I loved it (long hours mind you), I loved working with a host of textures, colours, season shapes and styles. From there I started designing and making women’s and girls clothes which I sold at London markets as well as local indie boutiques, before embarking on a career in Modelling then TV! It was a journey that led me to always be interested in style, colour, texture, function and form – which are the basis of interior design. I also love upcycling unloved pieces, it’s a joy, I am always adding pieces to my One Of A Kind section on my website!
Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
For me inspiration for design is found in everyday situations, I love to travel whether at home or abroad and I’m always on the look out for the unusual or quirky. Art, museums, window-shopping, books, second hand shops and even dining out there’s always something fascinating to see! One thing I always try to do is seek out local fabrics if travelling or I’ll ask family & friends to buy fabrics from their far-flung destinations. Inspiration for me is everywhere!
Can you tell us your current favourite design available in your boutique and why?
That’s a very difficult question, because they are all my favourites! My handmade Limited Edition pieces will always be my babies!
Our company is very new, but I must admit I am looking forward to our new Artist Collection of kitchen accessories which will include large & small serving trays, sandwich & scatter trays, chopping boards, coasters and tea bag tidies as well our circular trinket boxes. We are also going to launch our wallpaper range in May and as always it will be Made in the UK and feature the works of standout Artists, exciting times!
Do you have plans to expand your online boutique to the high street?
Never say never I say! But if I did, it would be a smallish boutique store and have an emporium feel to it, space to see everything but still have that cosy feel. Kitchen Goddess will be one of the first to know if we do….!
Who has been your biggest influence on your career path?
Mum was my first influence when it came to sewing. I remember watching my Mum sew as a child, which I must have stored until I studied Fashion! I think I mentioned it before, but Mum made most of our clothes especially our ‘going out’ outfits for family occasions, she was a brilliant seamstress and now she calls on me to either make things for her or upcycle and re-invent pieces!
When it comes to design; Tricia Guild for her colour and boldness and Tom Dixon for sheer clever design!
When it comes to guidance and support, my better half Andrew. And my daughter who thinks everything I make is fabulous!
What advice would you give to other women considering opening their own online business?
The only advice I can give is to follow your heart, follow your dreams and enjoy the process. Yes, it is hard work (I’m still doing almost everything!) and will continue to be so for some time, but it will not be a chore, it will be a joy; if you love, have a passion for and believe in what you are striving to achieve. Source a good web designer and take professional pictures of your products where possible. And if you can, join the revolution of British Made!
What to you makes someone a Kitchen Goddess?
It’s not about being the best cook or chef – For me a kitchen goddess is someone (Male or Female) who always has a warm welcome ready for family and friends who enter their home and whose kitchen IS the heart of the home. Whether your kitchen is modern, traditional, large, small, galley, minimalist or boho; so long as you’re made to feel comfortable, relaxed and welcomed, the Kitchen Goddess has done their job!
To find out more about Jacqui Joseph and her beautiful designs visit www.jacquijoseph.com
https://www.kitchengoddess.co.uk/2014/05/kitchen-goddess-interviews-jacqui-joseph/#.U4Ix3l7A7Hh
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