Having started her professional career as a model at a young age, Jazz Bell is no stranger to the camera, and the camera certainly loves her.
Her incredible beauty, amazing curly hair and relatable looks have made her a recognisable face in the Australian fashion arena.
But Jazz is definitely more than just a pretty face, currently juggling a variety of creative and exciting careers in producing, acting, content creation, consulting, blogging and singing.
She’s also one of the loveliest people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Although we’ve only shared brief encounters at random blogging events here and there, Jazz has always been breath of fresh air. Friendly and approachable in what can sometimes be a clicky industry, and ALWAYS supporting local labels and brands like we do here at Lilt Blog.
With a social media presence of over 17k followers on Instagram Jazz has been able to positively show her young fans to embrace who they are and what they do, with a smile on her face and a spring in her step.
Today I have the pleasure of interview Jazz as we discuss her exciting career, her inspirations and what fun things she has cooking for the months ahead.
We usually interview bloggers & content creators, but you’re a woman of many talents. Model, actor, content creator. Tell us a little bit about yourself and what has led you to the career you have today.
First of all thank you for inviting me to feature on your blog.
I’m Jazz Bell, I’m a model, producer, actor and content creator.
I first started modelling when I was quite young. My mum introduced me to it to help with my confidence and I really enjoyed it. I started booking jobs from an early age and have been in the industry ever since.
Instagram has obviously changed the world. While I’ve always done modelling, content creation also became an option for me, so I now fall into that category. As long as I keep it real to me, and I’m wearing clothes that I would actually wear and I’m promoting small businesses and sustainably sourced fabrics and things like that, I’m happy to continue doing it.
In terms of how I fell into television production, I first started doing television commercials and was briefly a television presenter for a kids TV show. I always loved being onset and wanted to explore the work available behind the scenes. My first television production job I stayed at for nearly three years. It was on Family Feud with Grant Denyer. I started as the Production Assistant, then moved up to a Contestant Producer. I worked on over 700 episodes and I loved every moment of it. I’ll always cherish the time I worked on that show. Since then I’ve realised I just love being around people. I’ve worked on most of the game shows: The Chase, Hot Seat, Weakest Link. I was an Associate Producer on Would I Lie To You and I’ve just wrapped up as a casting producer for a new show where we had to find 100 people! I will continue working on the same show as an Associate Producer.
What’s involved in a typical day of work for you?
A typical day of work for me involves a lot of emails. I love my Google Calendar so everything is always very organised. I’m currently working with a team who are in Sydney and I am very lucky to be able to work from home. Communication is key and I have to be really organised to make sure that I get everything done. If I have a photoshoot booked in that week, I make up my hours throughout the week so I’m not losing a day. This potentially means working on the weekend to make sure that I’m still doing the hours I need to do for my TV job. I love being able to break up my week with a modelling shoot. It’s something that I’ve always done so I kind of feel lost when I don’t do it.
What is your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of my job is the flexibility and variety. I couldn’t work 9-to-5 on one job every day. I would get really bored and I wouldn’t be productive. I enjoy being busy and I love working hard so I like the fact that I have multiple things on the go all the time. My day could start with me doing my TV production job in the morning, taking a break to shoot content in the afternoon and then booking a modelling job the next day. I enjoy constantly having to think about different things and when I’m not working and I have downtime, I enjoy it for a couple of days but then instantly crave being busy again and that brain stimulation.
It was risky at the start to take the leap to be a freelancer and to not have something immediately locked in. I’m so glad that I did, because I’ve now been doing it for the last six years. There’s times where I don’t have a job but I plan accordingly and everything always works out in the end, I just have to trust myself. I have to work really hard but it’s worth it now as I have the flexibility and variety in my life that keeps me going and I love work.
Tell us about some of the people in the industry who inspire you and why?
I didn’t grow up seeing or working with people of colour in the industry, so I’ve always sourced inspiration overseas and it took me a long time to find out who I was and be comfortable in who I was in that sense, especially when it came to fashion.
I started following Solange Knowles, at the time of her True album release in 2012. Her confidence, style and individuality just hit me in the face and I drank it all up. I discovered colour blocking and haven’t looked back.
Fashion director and stylist Julia Sarr-Jamois, has a giant afro and uber cool style. I would scroll through all the street style galleries to see her in oversized pink puffer jackets and brightly coloured faux furs with oversized glasses. Her style always appeared so effortless but in a minimal-maximalist way. I still Google her regularly to see what she’s up to.
Finish photographer Janita Autio lives life in colour and you can’t help but be happy or inspired by her photos.
Tracee Ellis Ross is my latest style crush. Not only is her personality infectious she is loving the skin she’s in and she does not live her life for other people. I aim to channel her chic, natural hair flowing, colour blocking, body loving, fashion appeal well into my 50’s.
What are 3 of your favourite resources that you turn to for inspiration?
Instagram is #1 – It’s so accessible. I started a page called @whatwouldsolangewear_ kind of like a scrapbook so I could save and post and follow designers and creatives and visit the page whenever I need a creative pick me up.
Google. It really is such a simple resource and it’s free. It usually gives you an answer or inspo on the spot. I just google the piece of clothing I want to style and change the search up depending on where I’m going or how I’m feeling. “Pink t-shirt + Street style”, “Japanese street style” or “Maximalist street style”
My own wardrobe. I try to wear everything in my wardrobe. If I feel like I’ve been wearing the same thing a lot, I’ll go to my wardrobe and rearrange it. I’ll bring forward items that I haven’t worn for a long time or pull out a pair of shoes that haven’t been worn often and “reinvent” what might have been hiding at the back.
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style is comfort, colour and denim. I clash prints, I wear colour and I wear a lot of oversized pieces. I layer dresses over jeans. I love co-ords and matchy matchy prints. The beige aesthetic is definitely not my vibe.
I love denim so much. Double denim is my go-to look. I would probably wear double denim a couple times a week. I love jeans and the fact that they come in different cuts and styles, I always feel like I’m wearing something different.
I love following you for your fashion and textile content. Can you tell us how your style has evolved over the years?
I used to be such a people pleaser and worry what people think. I would always try to follow the trends and squeeze into mini polyester outfits that didn’t suit my body shape or copy what was on the mannequin. I wanted to wear what the “cool girls” wore. I’m glad I grew out of that phase and found my own style.
My style has evolved, it’s the I don’t care what people think style and I wear what feels good.
I also have an appreciation for fabrics, I always look at the tag to see what a garment is made from. I appreciate the labels that are trying to design consciously, ethically and sustainably.
What are your top 5 wardrobe essentials?
Jeans
Anything Marimekko
A Blazer
A Denim shirt
Converse sneakers (any colour)
What is the best style advice you have ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is: there are no rules, wear what you want and feel good! You can wear whatever you like. Style is personal, yeah there’s definitely trends that people follow but style is different to everyone. I remember growing up being told that I can’t wear black and navy or pink and red together. I always wear pink and red together!
Where is the best place to shop in Melbourne?
I’m a big thrift shopper, If I see one, I’ll just stop in and see if I get lucky.
A couple notable local labels/stores:
Ricepaper The Label – produce simple, elegant & ethical womenswear and have a great store in Ascot Vale.
Design A Space. It’s a great place to find local Australian designers. They are in Windsor, Fitzroy and in the city. My girl Karishma from Kholo can often be found in there.
I recently popped into Hew Clothing in Carlton North, Ema Hewitt is always creating fun designs.
A store on my to-visit list is the Variety Hour store in Fitzroy.
What would be your ultimate collaboration?
I feel like I’ve been really lucky with the designers and brands that I’ve been able to collaborate with. Marimekko is right up there! Their prints are pretty much made for me. I would love to visit Marimekko HQ next year and shoot with Helsinki based photographer, Janita Autio.
I would love to work with Romance Was Born. They use bold prints and their dreamy collections are always heavily themed. I’m drawn to the maximalist feel of the label and I love Aussie designers who make a statement.
And I constantly lust after Lee Mathews dresses and coords.
What’s next for you?
What’s next for me.. I will be working abroad for a month and then have a couple of trips booked when I return. I’ll finally be visiting Margaret River, WA and then I’m off to Bangkok. I’m pretty much booked up now for the rest of the year with my TV production work so I’m going to be busy with that while also juggling modelling.
I now start planning 2023. I like to be organised and I mainly plan my work around my holidays so if I can get in early with my holidays and where I’d like to go then when I’m booked for work, I can already give them the days that I’m not available as I’ve booked in advance.
I very much work to live and I think I’m doing a pretty good job at it. If you want something, don’t be afraid to ask for it. As long as I’m enjoying what I’m doing, I’ll keep doing it. Being a freelancer creates flexibility and freedom and I like to make the most of it. For now I’m just living my best life… while wearing what makes me feel good.
Jazz Bell is represented by Silverfox Management.
Follow Jazz on Instagram at @jazzdbell