Lessons in fashion and selfhood: Kaysian Wilson inspires daughter Jazzmine Bourke’s style

Long before a young woman learns to define her style, she learns to define herself. For 15-year-old Jazzmine Bourke, those lessons begin at home, in her mother’s closet and through her example. Her mother, Jamaican stylist, designer, and fashion maven Kaysian Wilson, has been guiding her in ways that shape how she approaches both style and self-expression.

“I’ve always really liked dressing up and trying different styles. Since 2020, I kind of started exploring my own sense of style. I really love dressing with colour and a lot of accessories and being as bright as possible,” said Jazzmine Bourke. Clad in a light-pink camisole and a complementary plaid skirt sourced from New York, her outfit reflected the colourful aesthetic she described as she sat poised during an interview with Sunday Lifestyle at Cellar 8 in St Andrew.

For her mother, the creative mind behind Flowerchild, a fashion design and creative styling brand, passing on style advice to her daughter goes beyond simply sharing what to wear. It’s also about teaching her how to confidently be herself.

“The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence,” Wilson said, adding, “So, I always tell Jazz to stand tall, walk with purpose, and remember that how you carry yourself will always matter more than the label on [your] clothes.”

Thinking back to her own teenage years, Wilson shared that her style references came mainly from watching the then Miss Jamaica Universe pageants on television and browsing her collection of fashion magazines, which included urban music publications Complex and The Fader.

“I even got style inspiration from America’s Next Top Model and through travelling as a teen,” she added.

The love of accessorising for the mother-daughter duo seems to have been passed down from Wilson’s own mother, who, though not as heavily vested in fashion, had an extensive collection of jewellery and accessories.

“She’s a big part of why I over-accessorise today. I actually have a photo of my mom wearing 10 rings, and well, I love wearing rings!” Wilson shared, laughing, while showing a few she had on her fingers.

While the brand Flowerchild was officially launched in 2011 with Wilson’s first collection, she explained that she actually started Flowerchild 1999 in the year 2001, when she began going out to parties and events.

“My godfather had a tailoring shop, and I would ask him to make a lot of clothes so that I could stand out and look different. And then my friends started asking me to make them pieces. And so it kind of started then,” she said.

THEN AND NOW

With current social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest putting a wide range of aesthetics at teenagers’ fingertips, Jazzmine still follows the style tips and rules her mom has instilled, such as thoughtfully choosing clothes that fit well rather than chasing what’s popular, while also experimenting with her own look and learning the importance of balance.

“A balanced outfit always looks more refined and intentional,” Wilson said. “If you show your legs, keep the top more covered. If you show a little on top, keep the bottom more modest.”

At first, Jazzmine didn’t necessarily understand why, but she has grown to see that her mother just wants her to carry herself with elegance. “So we have a rule: if I wear a crop top, I have to wear long pants. And if I wear shorts, I can’t wear a crop top.”

Currently enrolled at St Andrew High School for Girls, Jazzmine is drawn to the arts like her mother, but her passion leans towards the performing arts. She loves to sing, act, and dance, and hopes to one day perform on Broadway. “I love just knowing that the art I put out there can impact people’s lives – whether it’s inspiring a little kid with a story they’ll remember forever or giving an older person a special experience,” she explained.

Wilson, who also has an older son, Matthew, said she is proud to see her daughter carving her own path. She has always told her children that her only expectation is for them to be good human beings. Beyond that, she trusts that the foundation she has given them will help them succeed in whatever they choose.

One of the most important lessons Jazzmine says she has learnt from her mom is about being true to yourself.

“She has always been kind of a trendsetter, always had her own touch of things, her own razzle-dazzle. I found inspiration from that and learned how not to worry about fitting in as much as my peers and just be myself,” she shared.

Knowing that teens sometimes struggle with confidence, Wilson reminds her daughter of the power of authenticity.

“Once you’re being authentic, you’ll always have a calm, and with that comes your confidence. There’s so much power in your authenticity – in how you show up and how you present yourself – because it’s you, and nobody else owns that. Confidence helps you wear an outfit and show your true identity without it being influenced by judgment or insecurity.”

CREDITS

Photographed on location at Cellar 8 Wine, Bar & Bistro

Shop 10, Upper Manor Park Plaza, St Andrew.

Photos by: Antoine Lodge

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com