Jackie Damelian of Jackie Mack Designs
Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with the beautifully talented Jackie Damelian, Owner and Creative Director of Jackie Mack Designs.
Jackie Damelian is the Owner and Creative Director of Jackie Mack Designs an Australian contemporary semi-fine jewellery brand for women. The brand has grown into a contemporary, effortlessly chic, design-led brand that embodies the modern woman.
“I genuinely believe that my emotions have a strong link with my creativity, so I draw inspiration from immersing myself in different cultures, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and sharing stories that elicit emotions and connect us at a deeper level.”
Tell us about your creativity, drive and inspirations?
I am deeply influenced by my cultural background my heritage and my travels. I was born in Spain and raised in Colombia by Bolivian mother and Scottish father. I lived in US-Florida in my early 20’s and finally made it to beautiful Australia where I call home the past 17 years – and absolutely love it!
Our family home was packed with batiks, artisan artefacts, Mediterranean ceramics, and an abundance of African art from my father’s years working in Angola. This made me appreciate the skills and craftsmanship of artisans and designers from any background.
I genuinely believe that my emotions have a strong link with my creativity, so I draw inspiration from immersing myself in different cultures, connecting with people from diverse backgrounds and sharing stories that elicit emotions and connect us at a deeper level.
My drive comes from backing myself up, years up having to overcome many challenges, and having a family that believes in me. Without their encouragement and trust this journey would be harder than what it needs to be.
Who are women that have inspired your life? How have you empowered other women?
There are so many, but I always admire those that push the boundaries in any industry, and those that have an innate ability to incite positive change.
I hope that those women around me feel empowered when I praise their work, demonstrate that I believe in them, and encourage them to pursue anything they want.
Sometimes all we need to feel empowered is that extra bit of validation that removes any hesitation we may have about pursuing something we absolutely love.
Can you give us some insight into your life philosophy?
Never let the opinion and judgement of those that do not hold an important place in your heart, deprive you from pursuing what you deeply feel will make you happy and bring joy into your life. I am grateful that I figured this out at an early age thanks to the unwavering support of my family.
Tell us about the women you have loved to work with?
I am deeply grateful for the very first team of creatives that took a chance to work with me and helped me with my first campaign. Lauren Slater, Libby Willis and our very first muse Natalie Stal shaped what the brand is today. They helped me get into the flow and I have not stopped since then.
It would be unfair to name just a few of the content creators that I have had the pleasure to work with in the past few years because they all have inspired me in some many ways.
Who is the Jackie Mack woman?
She is a contemporary woman that embraces a refined natural look yet sophisticated and sleek and enjoys this playful journey of ear styling as much as I do.
She is resilient, adventurous, and conscious about her decisions.
What are some Australian artists and designers that you adore personally?
So many – Blainey North, Nicky and Simone Zimmerman, Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest from Aje to name a few.
What do you feel makes Australian designers and our fashion unique?
I feel that the creators of Australian fashion labels tend to be at the forefront of every transformation the fashion industry goes through. Whether is trying to use more sustainable materials to pursuing ethical practices and making more conscious decisions, then translating this into beautiful products that enhance our casual chic very demure style. Perhaps we are highly influenced by our travels and we manage to bring back the best of all worlds and merge them to create our own beautiful uniqueness.
2020 has been a year that no one could predict. What have you learned personally from your time at home during isolation?
I have learned that work-life balance has become more important than ever before. I could find myself working longer hours because of the lack of boundaries and structure at home.
I had to adapt my creative space making it more comfortable and influencing the environment with music that lifts my spirit rather than listening to the doomsday mainstream media.
Isolation has undoubtedly made it difficult to connect with some people but overall, it has not been that terrible for me as I have used this time to grief for the loss of my husband who died last year.
How do you see the industry evolving now?
The year 2020 has shifted the world for ever. It has not left anyone untouched. The creative industry will be instrumental in adapting to this new world in the fashion industry.
From being able to read the rapidly changing consumer sentiment more so than ever before and creating campaigns around this, to helping us build more meaningful connections between brands and consumers.
There will be a lot of trial and error and we will be more reliant on the digital space, but we will adapt.