Darling Josephine
Josephine Jones’ fashion collection debuted in 2019, with beautiful floral pieces that made those who wear them look like an ethereal goddess; Josephine is to the optics what Lana Del Rey is to the auditory, only with much more intelligent cultural knowledge. We sat down with the ever-so charming Ms Jones to discuss gender expression and her ultimate queer icons.
Interview Sufiyeh Hadian Photography JC Verona Hair Elvire Roux Make up Elizabeth Hsieh
How would you describe your style/gender expression?
I’m a woman of many paradoxes, stylistically; a chameleon. Like Linda Evangelista but with fashion history and street style. I play many parts because I bloody love fashion and clothing, expressing different nuanced vibes and moods - usually positive and with prints. Though lately, I’m dancing between ‘pretty ‘n’ punk’ and ‘prim ‘n’ preppy’. Sometimes I dress like a British grandmother to a five-year-old French girl in the same day. It’s good to lean into the classics; rock and roll a la Marianne Faithfull, the makeup of Penelope Tree, easy unfussy femininity à la Celia Birtwell. All the British ‘60s & ‘70s glamour girls are my go-to references. I suppose the fey androgyny of these times, coupled with the women’s liberation suits me to a T!
My gender expression is a proud trans girl, I’m learning how to be a woman in her early twenties like any other gal my age is! Plus, we’re navigating modern femininity with a penchant for androgyny, philosophy and a newfound female freedom to do (in theory) whatever we want. I’m reconciling being a modern woman with my rather traditional enjoyment and indulgence for long maxi skirts, silk, chiffon, girly gossamer materials, most florals and an obsession for pink and green- it's fun but confusing at times. Thank God feminists can be as fey and feminine as they please... or not!
“My gender expression is a proud trans girl, I’m learning how to be a woman in her early twenties like any other gal my age is!”
Who are your ultimate queer icons?
Two words: Candy. Darling. I didn’t know or see any transgender women in life growing up. As you can’t be what you can’t see, that made it challenging to consider transitioning, although with my ever-so effeminate energy & with my unfalteringly ‘artistic’ temperament, it was clear to myself and to literally anyone who met me that I have always been a girl. So, I never had to ‘come out’ as it was a gradual process of acceptance. Made possible by my adoration and admiration for Candy. Who was not just brave but blossomed in the factory scene and underground film-making screen as an erudite and elegant actress. Someone who struggled the same way I did, looked like me, wept over the same things I did and manifested a life of self-realisation, strength and doing it all with glamour and a sense of humour. I’d die happy if I could be so privileged as to do the same for even one other person- trans or otherwise. Rest in perfection, Candy, gone far too soon and a truly gifted actor.
How has queer culture helped to define you?
As an orphan, my chosen family, those I share this journey with, work and collaborate with, be they blood or not, have helped me to not just survive, but thrive. Fill in the gaps my parents didn’t have the chance to, help me bloom and develop and bounce back. Especially queer elders, other trans mentors. Gay men and women have held a lot of space for me, introduced me to my own culture and illuminated a glimpse of my sense of purpose and belonging. In a lineage of trans women, of fellow LGBTQIA*+ folks, it’s crystalising a history, embeds me with courage that has helped me carry on. Being trans is still rather challenging, just on a day-to-day basis. But I see the bigger picture within the tapestry of time, because of my continual engagement with queer culture. All those survival stories, the struggles, the triumphs, the hurdles, the becoming of likeminded people. Super inspiring!
“As an orphan, my chosen family, those I share this journey with, work and collaborate with, be they blood or not, have helped me to not just survive, but thrive.”
How do you usually celebrate Pride?
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times— trans women of colour started Pride! So, I do like to be with friends and chosen family celebrating in the solidarity of familial streets with my rainbow colours on and a big smile. But Pride was and is a protest, not just a party. These days, I’m trying to collaborate with brands and use my platform to shine a light on this, in my presenting work. Talking to people about Pride and their interpretation of it, their experiences, platforming other people's stories are all endlessly fascinating to me. I endeavour to protest and enjoy the bodily assemblage and outpouring on the streets though, for sure.
Can you tell us more about your fashion collection?
I was inspired by Toulouse Lautrec and these acidic chartreuses and dusty pastels, women of a harmonious and fictive bygone modernity. Classic opulence and excess; still retaining a charming, undone, bohemian essence and elegance. It was a hit! Colour and prints, galore. I make all my own prints from abstract expressionist watercolors. With a fully trans and non-binary cast, some real talents and iconoclasts among them, Jack Appleyard styling, who is super talented, guided me a lot. Being the first trans designer to show on the London Fashion Week schedule was an honour, it’s one of the things I am most proud of to this day, and it won me my first British fashion award I reckon! What I didn’t anticipate is the praise from the creative industry at large. I didn’t really notice the glass ceiling until after I shattered it! It was a gentle capsule collection, about 14 looks in silks and all cut by candlelight on the bias. Dreamy!
“But Pride was and is a protest, not just a party.”
What do you most love about what you do?
Creativity and collaborating with brands, friends, the greats! Unifying for a single creative intention. Projects can be such hard work, but like designing a collection, there’s a definite ‘end point’ like a show date, or release or an exhibition to work towards. That structure grounds me. What’s the point of being an island or an artist in artistic isolation? I’m an introverted extrovert so I disagree with Sartre; hell is, in fact, not other people.
Describe your ideal night out in London.
I’m going to the Kew Gardens waterlily house in the morning, a ballet class or a cycle in a surrealist chiffon dress; heaven. I would take a leisurely stroll to an exhibition, you know - *that* one I’ve been meaning to get to for ages. Then shopping! To meet friends and explore vintage shops for something weird to wear for the evening from a brand, boutique or a market trader. Grab a gorgeous green juice at the Portobello Juice Café with friends in west, get a green machine with extra mango! Some sensational sushi in Soho, with my chosen family, for a much overdue catch up. A dose of creative camaraderie, debate and laughs in equal measure! Cut to a serene soirée and a walk round the city in the night. Being a tourist in my own backyard. These days, however, I’m a firm believer in that no conversation that happens after 2am is worth sacrificing an early morning to, which, like the bohemian grandmother I am at heart, is when I like to mediate and reflect. Rather than have a frivolous all night affair!
About Josephine
Josephine is a the multi-faceted model, muse, designer and LGBTQIA+ activist graduated from Goldsmiths fine art using fashion as a discipline to being the first transgender designer on the London Fashion Week schedule with an all-transgender cast.
Follow her on Instagram
READ NEXT
