Jess Blanch, Publisher and Editor in Chief, RUSSH Magazine

Welcome to our Inspiring Women in Australian Fashion and Art Series, and our conversation with Jess Blanch, Publisher and Editor in Chief of RUSSH Magazine.

Jess Blanch has led the RUSSH team for over a decade and her heart lies in the creation of the creative community that is the magazine's heart and soul. Jess began her career as a newspaper journalist and working in custom publishing.

She has contributed over the years to leading industry sites such as Style.com, The Business of Fashion, The Huffington Post and The CHANEL News hosting their Red Carpet film for The Little Black Jacket in Sydney.

Jess is a regular panelist leading conversations at Vivid Future Ideas, World Forum Disrupt and Collective Ideas at the NGV and an ambassador and ‘face of fashion’ for MBFWA and The Melbourne Art Fair.

Working as a creative consultant to brands, she is also an advocate of sustainable consumption providing styling services to clients. She lives in Sydney and is inspired by creative minds from all over the world.

“I’ve learnt to be grateful for all the love I have in my life and all I have experienced so far. It has helped me to live for the moment, today.”

Tell us about your creativity, drive and inspirations?

Inspiration is transcendent in nature. It’s rare I feel without drive but I don’t believe it should ever be forced. Creativity, for me, is spontaneous. I think it’s about being open to new experiences, people and conversations… It’s picking up book, staring at a painting or just asking someone what music they are listening to.

Can you share your life philosophy?
Has this been shaped by a female mentor?

A life philosophy sounds all very accomplished …

Often I will read something that will stay top of mind and act as a mantra for a time.

Anais Nin’s words , “life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage” is this currently and possibly what inspired our Courage Issue out now.

To you, what epitomises an empowered woman?

An empowered person is someone who makes decisions based on what they feel in their heart.

Tell us about women who have inspired you and how you have empowered other women in your life?

The two women who have been my guides and mentors have incredible mental strength and stamina. It has taught me that you never, ever give up.

If I’ve ever empowered other women I hope it has been through believing in them and giving them the space to be true to themselves and express who they are through their work.

You work with a collective of very talented women, who do you love to collaborate with?

Every person I work alongside is magical to me in some way and I believe you’ve got to love and care for the people you collaborate with. When the energy is right between people there is no limit to what can be created.

How has motherhood shaped you personally, your creative drive and life philosophy?

Motherhood brought an immense clarity around what most matters to me. My daughters, Sloane and Winifred, are five and one and require enormous energy, which definitely gets in the way of all I would want to achieve in my business or creatively, but it just doesn’t matter. For me it’s been a lesson in doing what you can with what you’ve got.

When you’re not working, how do you best unwind and reset?

So blurred are the lines between working and not working that I’m not sure I can tell the difference anymore. I don’t compartmentalise life like I used to. To relax I go to the beach, take my daughter riding or just sit on my sofa and revel in not having to be anywhere.

What are some Australian artists and designers that you adore personally?

That’s an impossible question as there are too many to mention, however the artists I’ve spoken with today are Dr Lisa Cooper, Johnny Niesche and Jedda Daisy Culley.

What do you feel makes Australian designers and our fashion unique?

Australian designers are unique in their uncomplicated approach to design. I love our casual approach to collections which embody the sentiments of what is often a Cruise or Resort collection all year round.

I have loved seeing the rise of labels such as ESSE, UNIK BY US, Selfe Studios and Robe, which take a very conscious and restrained approach to fashion.

2020 has been a year that no one could predict. What have you learned personally from your time at home during isolation?

I’ve learnt to be grateful for all the love I have in my life and all I have experienced so far. It has helped me to live for the moment, today.

With most of us dreaming about resuming our travels abroad, what is an aspect of Australia that you have discovered or loved this year?

I’ve spent a lot of time where I grew up in the country this year and my love of the land only grows stronger with time. The dignity and resilience of this country is so powerful.