For the Confident Woman in You: My Interview with the CEO of Bodylicious Couture, Jennifer Love
By: Sherifat Mohammed
Have you seen the word Bodylicious before? No, I didn’t spell Bootylicious wrong- the word that was made famous by Destiny Child. I wrote Bodylicious. The word comes Bodylicious Couture. I got a chance to interview Jennifer Love, the CEO of Bodylicious Couture this week to discuss the inspiration behind the company name, her debut collection and so much more. I got a chance to also learn a little bit about the person behind the brand as well. She earned her degree in psychology but decided to work in a nuclear plant with her mother. Feeling unfulfilled, she took the first four months in 2018 to go on a spiritual journey to figure out what her passion and purpose was in life. She not only found her purpose but was able to find the confidence within herself to be her own shero and fulfill her purpose. I hope after reading my interview with Jennifer Love about Bodylicious Couture— you not only will have a place to get some beautiful versatile outfits, but be able to find the confidence within yourself to fulfill your own purpose in your life. Check out my interview below:
SM: Tell me a little about yourself. Where did you grow up? Are you a native of Atlanta?
JL: No, I’m not originally from Atlanta. My father is Hawaiian and my mother is from Georgia. I grew up in Augusta. I always came to Atlanta. So, when I decided to start Bodylicious Couture, I felt Atlanta would be a great market to start at. It’s like the same market in LA and New York. I did go to college. I got a degree in psychology. My mother worked at nuclear plant growing up. I had to make a decision between finding a job in my field or just get a job. I ended up getting a job at a nuclear plant. I couldn’t complain. I worked six months out of the year and I had my summers off. For the first four months of 2018, I took a spiritual journey to find out what my passion and purpose was. I didn’t want to live for a check.
SM: Wow. That’s amazing. I agree. So, how did you get started in the fashion industry?
JL: I always liked putting things together. I would buy four or five things to make one thing. So, I’ve always liked putting things together. When I created Bodylicious Couture, I said why not. It also bought out the little girl in me. And I let God guide me to happiness. No amount of money can pay for happiness.
SM: I agree. What was your inspiration behind creating Bodylicious Couture?
JL: I was at home one summer, and Destiny Child was playing on the radio. I looked at my mother and told her wouldn’t it be cute if I made jeans called Bootylicious. Everybody is looking for the booty. I tried to get it trademarked, but someone already did it. So, I wanted to create something that stood out. I was like God, I’m over here joking, but I need to be writing my ideas down. I started thinking to myself—How do I inspire people? What is inspiring to women? Our bodies are a blessing. We give birth to children. I can’t do bootylicious. How about bodylicious. Why not be confident in your body. I wanted all my pieces to exude confidence. I can’t sell my product without confidence. So, I got confident about my pieces. I also wanted my pieces to standout—I wanted to have pieces that people have never seen before. Every piece is high quality.
SM: How many collections do you have?
JL: This is my first collection. When I started my collection, I wanted to do something that I love. I also wanted to leave something behind—so when I do start my family I can leave something for them. Even if my children don’t want to go into fashion, they can see that they don’t have to work for someone else.
SM: Leaving a legacy. Wow. Now, there are many designers/fashion stylists out right now. Why do you think Bodylicious Couture stands out?
JL: Bodylicious Couture stands out because each piece is its own piece. There is me in every piece. I named my first collection Passport to Freedom. God was my passport to my freedom by leading me to my purpose. Passports takes you were you are to another country. My pieces can take you from work to an event after work to drinks with your girls. My pieces are versatile and edgy.
SM: What are some popular pieces in the Passport collection?
JL: The Passport Stamp Top is a popular and versatile piece. Then there is the Travel Skirt. It’s a cute skirt that can be worn to work but you can unzip the bottom of it, and it can be worn as a mini skirt at night. There is the Hawaiian Ocean Shirt, you can take the sleeves off and wear it to an event in the evening after work. There is also the Wing Zip Bowtie. It is made entirely of zippers.
SM: I saw some of that on the website and said to myself, that’s really creative.
JL: (Laughs). I wanted the women who wear my pieces to be excited every morning to express herself.
SM: Who are your designs made for? What type of woman or women do you have in mind when you are creating your pieces?
JL: I’m going to be honest. I design for the confident woman. Whether you are a mother, student, entrepreneur or boss— women should never be boxed up. If she is the corporate woman who has to go to work but as an event in the evening. Or the student leaving her class to go out. The amazing woman. The woman who loves who she is and the world is her runway.
SM: Where do you see Bodylicious Couture in the next five years?
JL: My goal is to have Bodylicious in Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. I have it on my dream board. I want to make it more accessible. I would like to have Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez and Terry Vaughn-right here in Atlanta- wearing my designs. I still want to design clothes and have that free spirit and let my imagination run wild. The sky is the limit.
SM: What advice can you give up and coming designers who want to start their own company?
JL: Do it. Some people say I need to save my money. I’ll do it when get more money. If you have $100—or you were able to save $100 just do it. Be your own hero or shero. Once you do it, people will come. Do it with confidence. Believe in the product—people will come. Take the leap, Jump off and jump into it fully. Even if you are working a 9 to 5, that hour that you get after you put the children to bed, work on it then. If you have it as a hobby, don’t keep it as a hobby.
SM: Do you have any fashion shows/events coming up for Bodylicious Couture?
JL: I am working on a new collection. I will have a fashion show at the end of summer. I’m working on a spring campaign and a look book. I will keep you updated.
SM: Please do. And finally, where can we see more of Bodylicious Couture and where can we purchase pieces?
JL: You can go to Instagram and follow me at: @thebodyliciouscouture, on facebook: Bodylicious Couture and our website: www.bodyliciouscouture.com.
