In our current state of media surrounding the topics of fashion, comedy and influence, these are often intertwined with negativity in an attempt to create a sense of exclusivity in the minds of their consumers. This tactic has proven to be successful, but there is also value in media built on a foundation of positivity and inclusivity.
Several content creators have crafted work in this type of format. More recently, Jessie Jolles has produced work that blends comedy, fashion, and positivity to create a space where everyone can feel uplifted.
Jessie Jolles is a content creator based in Queens, New York. Jolle’s career in digital media did not start on TikTok, although this is where she has found the most traction for her personal brand. She first attended Syracuse University, studying public relations and has worked as a content creator for several companies, helping them create all forms of media and projects. Jolles also worked in films and created her own television show, “Forgotten Animals.” She has continued to live her life openly, always doing what she loves.
Jolles expressed that writing scripts for productions that weren’t her own came quite easily for her, but when it came to writing for herself, it was more difficult, as there was an added pressure put on the situation.
“I believe in all of these other companies and voices, but why do I not believe in my own?” Jolles said.
After graduating from college, Jolles also participated in improvisational theater (improv) and stand-up comedy. Jessie still has a passion for improv and once believed it would be her profession, while stand-up didn’t feel genuine to her, as she became hostile towards herself and others when writing her sets.
“When I first started stand up, I was super self-deprecating, so I was making fun of myself all the time … so when I started to like myself, I didn’t want to talk about myself that way or anyone else,” Jolles stated.
Content creation, media and fashion began to be associated with self-doubt for Jolles. When the COVID–19 pandemic occurred, Jolles was able to pause and drown out all the sounds of her career and the outside world to focus on her self-identity and happiness.
A large part of this journey for Jolles was choosing unique themes to dress up as with her friend on nights out. This helped evolve her mindset about fashion into one focused on her own happiness instead of the approval from others. Jolles began to look forward to these dress-up days, and from then on, she slowly started thinking about what if every day gets to be a special day in how she lives and dresses for it.
Now Jessie dresses in clothing that she loves everyday, no matter the occasion. She works to encourage this type of mindset by starting her own fashion party, “Fancy For No Reason,” where she invites friends, family and viewers to join her for a night where they can all dress up in their favorite and most eccentric outfits.
“If I don’t dress up for myself, I’ll literally never dress up again,” Jolles said.
This mindset has planted itself outside of fashion for Jolles, in all aspects of her life and her creations, leading to a central theme in a lot of her work: that her viewers should not be controlled by fear and should always strive to be themselves without any shame.
Jolles expressed, “My style is a recent thing, for years I really hid in my clothes. I wanted to wear a uniform and fit in. I remember that, as a director, I would show up in black and a baseball hat because that is usually what a director wears. But I realized I can just show up as myself.” Because she understands the concept of uniforms, Jolles said, “I think sometimes you can feel that it is authentic to people, and sometimes I think that we are doing it because we want to blend in a way and not stand out for the wrong reasons.”
Social media gives the world access to learn about countless different types of fashion and cultures. This allows people to draw inspiration and create their own sense of style from a wide range of information. Yet, with this large accessibility, social media also serves as a hub for trends and conformity, where people want to look like everyone else.
Jolles sets herself apart from other creators by encouraging her viewers not to care about aesthetics, trends, or brands, and just to wear what makes them feel happy.
“I think standing out is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself and for the world, and in New York, you barely stand out,” Jolles said.
Jolles continues to create content that she feels connected to and is open to all different opportunities in the future, always pushing to create a positive outlook on life for herself and her audience.
