July 16, 2013
FASHION ACCESSORIES PHOTO TAKEN BY KEVIN STARR OF STARR PHOTOGRAPHY located in CHARLESTON, SC
“MS. JACK OF ALL TRADES” HOW & WHERE IT ALL STARTED Growing up as the only GIRL out of 6 kids can be challenging. Yes, I have 5 brothers if you are wondering, lol. We grew up on a 58 acre farm land in a small town called Nesmith, South Carolina. I remember my grand father Hogan Wilson, would take us to help him with the hogs, chickens, plowing the fields, shucking corn, picking cucumbers, and more. If I knew then what I know now
I would have savored those moments a little longer. There’s nothing like Country Living. I was the third oldest, so I had 2 older brothers and 3 younger. It’s very safe to say that I grew as a tom boy for many years. My mom and dad tried their best to keep me in skirts and frilly dresses but it only worked temporarily. They made sure that we were very active in our church and that spilled over
BY JESENA “NATRALSENSE” LATSON
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from first grade until my senior year in high school as well. I played sports, band, very active in JROTC, school choir, various social clubs, and etc. Let’s just say that my mom was very active because of us. My mom is a hardworking woman and she raised us to be the same way. She has several different talent and some of them being very artistic. She is the original “Mrs. Jack of All Trades.”
FASHION ACCESSORIES July 16, 2013
I didn’t know that my upbringing and what my mom instilled in me would take me on path that I’m on today. I thank God everyday for having such a great foundation to grow and fall back on when needed. When I graduated high school, I went straight into the United States Navy. The military taught me great discipline values and how to deal with all genres of people. I traveled from Chicago, Virginia, North Carolina, and lastly Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston was my last Duty Station Before I got out. I served 5 years and in between those 5 years I gave birth to a beautiful little girl name JESSIAH. I got out of the Navy in 2006 and I decided for the first year I would just collect unemployment, since I had been on a strict 24 hour, 7 days a week job with the military. I felt as though I deserved a break. In 2007, I started working in a Barbershop as a Hair Braider and then in 2008 I took a leap of faith and decided to college at the Art Institute of Charleston. I majored in Fashion and Retail Management. I still worked at the barbershop full-time and attended school full-time as well. The best thing about my job, was the fact that I made my own schedule. I started bartending at night just to make ends meet. Portfolio Show at the Art Institute of Charleston December 2011
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My daughter stayed with my mom, so this gave me the opportunity to work more jobs. My Senior year in college I decided to start my own Accessory line called, NaturalSense Unique Jewelry Designs LLC. I worked very hard and used all resources that were around me to achieve this. I also had the opportunity to do an INTERNSHIP with a very well known jewelry designer by the name of Maggie Schwartz. I learned so many things from her, it was such a blessing to be placed with her. Before Graduation, we had to do a Portfolio Show, which show cased all works and projects that you did during your time in college. I must say that I was very proud of myself because, I worked very hard to get to that point. I show cased all jewelries that I designed and the staff was blown away. This was my first taste of what it felt like to sell in the Fashion Industry! I graduated in December 17, 2011 with a BA of Arts in Fashion and Retail management. “It doesn’t matter how slowly you GO..... as long as you don’t QUIT!” ~unknown~
FASHIONACCESSORIES July 16, 2013
Once I graduated, I still maintained working in a barbershop. I started to do many VENDOR shows in the area. I set up an ETSY SHOP, I ordered a Square up wireless card reader for my Ipad and I also did plenty of advertising via Social Networks. I had tons of support but I still didn’t feel fulfilled. I loved making jewelry, but I wanted to expand my brand more. So I applied at Miami International University of Art and Design for Accessory Design in 2012, I got accepted into the college. This was so rewarding for me, the start of something BEAUTIFULLY NEW. In the mean time I was looking to more advertisements with my jewelry and I ran across this magazine called Kokoa. It had a very catchy name. So I emailed the Publisher, Mrs. Kita Bryant and she was so helpful and welcoming. We discussed me not only advertising in the magazine but writing in the magazine for the FASHION ACCESSORIES portion. I was elated to do this. So here I am, I have been working and writing with Kokoa for almost a year now and I must say it’s 3 a pleasure to watch this magazine GROW the way it been is. It’s so refreshing to be apart of something NEW,
FRESH, and REAL! I started at Miami International University of Art and Design in January 2013, so far it has been an awesome ride. I’ve designed handbags which I think will be my next MAIN focus. I really love designing handbags and clutches. So keep your eyes OPEN and ALERT for NatralSense DESIGNS by Me!! I’m motivated by the determination to provide for my daughter. If God never blesses me again, I will be content because he blessed me with her. I’m her ROLE MODEL. I have a strong support system, My mother, brothers,TRUE friendships, and GOD. Over the years I’ve learned that I’m talented in so many ways. I’m a hairstylist, bartender, Designer, Writer, Fashion Editor, motivator, creator, and so much more....hence the name..............“MS. JACK OF ALL TRADES!” “You can be whatever YOU set YOUR mind too. Daring to be you will get you further places than imitating someone else!!” ~NatralSense~