Midlands Fashion Week: Jashaan Gill's Bold New Style Revolution

Jashaan Gill, a fashion designer from Oldbury in the West Midlands, is making waves in the fashion world. With his short black hair, glasses, and signature black shirt, Jashaan stands out not just for his style but for his determination. As he prepared for his third appearance at New York Fashion Week, he admitted to still feeling the pressure, even after more than a decade in the industry. 'The hustle is real,' he said. 'Even now, 12 or 13 years into the journey, it's still about having to prove yourself. ' Jashaan's journey began in 2014 when he was rejected from studying textiles. Instead of letting this setback stop him, he taught himself how to design clothes and launched his own brand, Jheez. His hard work paid off, and he became the first British Punjabi designer to be featured at New York Fashion Week. His designs have also been showcased in Paris, Los Angeles, and London, earning him recognition in the global fashion scene. For this year's New York Fashion Week, which started on Thursday, Jashaan created a collection inspired by self-belief. The outfits were bold and flashy, decorated with crystals and rhinestones, perfect for those who want to be the center of attention. He told BBC Radio WM, 'I wanted to express myself in a different way, so the collection really takes inspiration from not losing your spark and not changing your character to fit in. ' Jashaan believes that fashion shows are full of opportunities because you never know who might be watching. He explained, 'That's how some of my other projects have come along. People see how successful I am at fashion week and how I haven't crumbled under that immense amount of pressure. ' Throughout his rise in the fashion world, Jashaan has always been proud of his roots. He often talks about being a 'boy from Oldbury' and celebrates the diversity of the West Midlands. 'It's shaped me as an individual because I'm able to take on different opinions that can form my judgement,' he said. 'It's the best thing to have different people and different ways of life, living all together to have a positive outcome. ' Despite his love for his home region, Jashaan admits that the West Midlands does not have a strong fashion industry. He has considered moving to places like London or the United States, where there are more opportunities in fashion. However, he also wants to give back to his community and help build something new. Jashaan is now working on launching a Midlands Fashion Week. He wants to create a creative 'ecosystem' in the region, not just for fashion but for other industries like music as well. 'At the moment, I'm coming home to try and introduce everyone to the fashion industry,' he said. 'We are ready, it's just that no-one has taken that step so I feel like I should take that step. ' He knows it is a big ambition, but he is determined to make it happen. 'My career has been a massive rollercoaster, so why not add another chapter to that story? ' Jashaan's story is one of resilience and ambition. He has overcome rejection and challenges to become a successful designer on the world stage. Now, he wants to use his experience to inspire others in the West Midlands and help create new opportunities for creative people in the region. By launching Midlands Fashion Week, Jashaan hopes to show that talent can come from anywhere and that with hard work and self-belief, anyone can achieve their dreams. His journey is a reminder that setbacks can be the start of something great, and that giving back to your community can be just as rewarding as personal success.