Aqila Wint eyes a sparkling future

Aqila Wint is into double digit months in her jewellery design career, under her business name Elephant: Vintage and Soul. Describing herself, Wint said, "I am 20 years old, a dancer who is completing her final year in university. I have done art all my life and have always been involved in the performing arts, writing, anything that is linked to the expression of one's most personal self. I have three siblings and live with my mother and father. I enjoy dancing, reading and creating. I have a zest for fashion and would like to evolve into a stylist and hairstylist. I am ambitious, witty and engaging."

The Gleaner: How long have you been in this field?

Aqila Wint: I have been in this field for about a year, give or take.

G: Where have you studied?

AW: I haven't studied anywhere. I have a natural knack for all things creative and have always been good with my hands. The trade I would like to be involved in (jewellery design) is one that I am able to create based on mere talent.

G: Why this career path?

AW: I have decided to pursue this career path as jewellery, in all its forms, in particular pieces that stand more and betray a level of imaginative composition and invention, has always caught my eye. I feel a strong sense of passion and the feeling of coming home each time I make a piece. All in all, it is my passion.

G: What was the process like when you first started in this field?

AW: The process has been a relatively smooth one. The beginning stages are very much about getting yourself out there, making people aware of your talent and ensuring that you can become a name under the wide umbrella of talents that already exist.

G: What are you currently doing to further develop your ambition for your career path?

AW: I am now doing a lot of research in relation to my jewellery, as I work with a lot of natural material, and I am trying to get familiar with different techniques. Also, I am trying to get my name out there and hope to turn my dream into a successful business.

G: What do you hope to achieve in 10 years?

AW: In 10 years, I hope to have a master's degree and, quite possibly, a PhD, to be happily married with children, to be a noted fashion icon, stylist and to have a name - one in the field of jewellery design. To be very established as a designer of all trades.

G: What drives and inspires your career path?

AW: I am inspired greatly by fashion and the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga, anything vintage, antique and nature. Nature fuels my designs to a large extent and provides the material. I am also highly imaginative, and dreams and ideas form in my head just by seeing an outfit, a colour. I can be driven by many things, but they all create a lovely piece with passion and fashion in mind.

G: What do you have to offer as the future of the next generation?

AW: I believe I have something that is innovative, imaginative and uninhibited to lend to the future generation. It is important as an artist to be willing to try new things, to have an open mind that is open to change. It is also important to be hard-working, industrious and ambitious in order to make it in life, despite the career path one chooses.

G: Do you consider yourself to be revolutionary, and how do you plan to change the game or your field?

AW: I do, in fact, consider myself revolutionary as my designs are different and its very invention is eye-popping and will affect the game of jewellery makers and designers all over the world, with the right opportunities and training. I plan to change the conservative belief that people have towards accessorising and dressing at times, and will share the notion that its not about how much you wear (in terms of size, statement), but how you wear it.

G: Besides access to education, what do you think needs to be done in order to transform the youth in Jamaica?

AW: Apart from access to education, in order to trans-form the youth of Jamaica, opportunities of mammoth proportions need to be made available. Jobs need to be created in every field in order to give the youth a chance to have part-time jobs, job experience and the ability to take care of themselves. Along with access to education needs to come affordability and accessibility of this mentioned education.

G: Distinguish yourself from your peers?

AW: I am very warm, and will extend a good morning to almost every person I come across. I can get lost in a book and would rather read than watch TV. I am very emotional and passionate about the things I love. I am very involved and do lots of activities. My style is not at all conservative and I am very outspoken, though respectfully so.

G: Old men rule the world. True or false and why?

AW: While the old own more wisdom because of their experience and the things they have seen, it is a false statement that they rule the world because they have done their part. The young must take over from them and carry on their legacy, as youth is power. The young have the power to share, to create and make a difference as they have a longer time to leave and are fresh and raring to go.

G: What has been the most challenging part of making a name for yourself in your field?

AW: The most challenging part of making my name in this field was at first the simple creation of a name, but it is really the reality of dealing with the early years, the slow years, where you have to build a customer base and a good reputation.