Jess talks fashion & J.M. TAIT!
J.M.TAIT is a Premium Fashion and Lifestyle Brand based in both Dubai and UK that offers high-end, handmade designs which are designed and made in house, using the highest quality fabrics from all over the world.
British Fashion Designer and Founder Jess Tait, graduated from London College of Fashion with a degree in Fashion Design and Marketing. She then went on to design for a number of worldwide fashion designers and retailers in London and Australia, before residing in Dubai. She designed for the largest fashion retailer in the Middle East prior to launching J.M.TAIT, which has been her life long goal.
”It’s not a brand, it’s a Lifestyle”
What made you want to move to Dubai and how long have you lived here?
I was completing the final year of my Fashion Design and Marketing Degree at London College of Fashion when I was offered a job in Dubai. I hadn’t visited Dubai prior to moving here and to be honest, it hadn’t even entered my mind, but I was offered a once in a lifetime job opportunity and I jumped at the chance. Originally my job placement was for 6 months. However, after 3 months the company offered me a permanent post. Fast forward nearly 5 years and I’m still here and I thank my lucky stars every day for being given the opportunity to call this amazing place my home.
What was you first job ?
First job in Dubai was Womenswear Fashion Designer with the largest Fashion Retailer in the Middle East. I spent the first few months researching and understanding the Middle Eastern consumer and market. At the end of my 6 month placement, I had to do a presentation of my first full collection (by full collection I mean design all categories such as tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets etc) to the CEO and all of the heads of Design, Buying, Marketing, HR, pretty much all senior staff in the company. The CEO and the rest of the heads absolutely loved my collection and they chose to feature it on the main Marketing Campaign. My first collection was featured on Billboards down SZR and on the sides of buses and went down the catwalk at our Fashion Show in Dubai. That was an absolute highlight in my career to achieve something so big so soon. I knew it was the best career move I could have made, as I had so much creative freedom to design.
What’s your job role now?
After procrastinating for about a year and a half, I made the scary decision to leave my job and invest all of my knowledge and expertise into setting up my own Fashion Company. J.M.TAIT (@jmtait_) is a unique womenswear clothing brand which has been my lifelong goal to launch. As the sole business owner my job role now is pretty much everything and anything included in running a business. I literally do everything myself from logo/website design, branding, managing social media channels and content creation, all photography and editing of photoshoots, sourcing products and fabrics worldwide, designing, delivery, customer service, organising Fashion Shows and Pop-up stores.
Any tips for girls wanting to find work?
One of the great things about Dubai is that everyone is really helpful and if you are looking for a job, there are some great Facebook groups to join including; Brits in Dubai Jobs, British Expats Dubai jobs jobs jobs, ATB. Listening to other people’s experiences out here, you need to be very proactive. There is so much competition so you need to stand out. Pick up the phone and introduce yourself, explain what you are looking for and try to organise a meeting. Always follow up with an email and don’t be afraid to double email or, to keep calling. Employers appreciate determination and confidence. It’s also all about networking and gaining contacts, something I must admit I tend to shy away from, so I really should start to use my own advice!
How did you find accommodation and do you have any recommendations for first time movers ?
I always use Dubizzle or Property Finder, but again as I mentioned above Facebook groups are also a great way to find accommodation. I use Dubai Rental Properties and ATB. When I first moved most landlords required 1 or 2 cheques for the year, however now you can definity negotiate with landlords and some places even offer 6-12 cheques per year, so you don’t need to pay as much upfront. If you are a first time mover, be sure to do your research on areas to live. Since moving to Dubai I have always lived in the Dubai Marina area. I just absolutely love that everything is so close and there’s so many restaurants, bars and shops on your doorstep. I don’t drive in Dubai and I have never found a need to, as I live and work in the Marina. Alternatively you also have the lovely surrounding areas including JLT, JBR and The Palm.
What’s your recommendations on best places to get your hair and make-up done ?
I’m probably the worst person to ask this question as I’m pretty low maintenance in these areas. I’ve never actually had my makeup done, as I prefer to do it myself, so I can’t comment on this personally. In regards to hair, I only really get a trim about 3 times a year and I normally get this done in the UK. However two hairdressers I know are both amazing and I follow their work on Instagram – @holliebodenhairdubai and @hairbymeganwheatleydubai. I always get my nails done and have spa treatments. I would always go to @queensbeautyloungedxb as it’s just around the corner from me and I’m all about convenience. Now that the new salon @prettywow.ae has opened in JLT, this is now my go to salon as it does everything in one place. Plus never in my life have my gel nails lasted as long as they do from here!! @holliebodenhairdubai also works here.
Favorite clothing stores?
Obviously my number 1 is @jmtait_ I like to dress up very glam for brunch and ladies nights. I could never find anything really special or different from high street stores and I actually hate going to the malls here. Most online boutiques in Dubai mainly sell beachwear, or very girly casual outfits. My style is more sleek, sophisticated and glam for a night out, so I really struggled to find anything other than what I would wear for casual daywear. This is the reason why I launched my business in Dubai. J.M.TAIT covers you for all your favourite ladies days and ladies nights, with our premium ‘going out’ outfits perfect for brunch, ladies nights and date nights, as well as our unique swimwear and beachwear for your favourite ladies day.
Favorite ladies night brunch and ladies day
I love nothing more than a drink or 2 or 5 in the sun with my girls. Some of my favourites ladies pool days would have to be Wet Deck, Nikki beach, Cove Beach and Five Palm. For the best party brunches I would say Hidden, Wanderlust, STK and then Zero Gravity on a Saturday for their pool brunch. Favourite ladies nights, I would have to start off by saying Pier 7 as I live in the Marina so it’s basically my local. I’m such a foodie so I prefer to go out for a nice meal first. My go to restaurants in Pier 7 are Mamazonia and Asia Asia. I also like Ramasake ladies night, then if I’m staying out for the night I will probably end up at any club in Meydan. To be honest I feel like I hardly do ladies nights anymore, so I could probably do with some new suggestions for places to try.
What do you do when you’re not working and partying ?
Dubai is an amazing place to live, there is so much to do here and I am blessed to call this place home. If you are thinking about moving here I would say just go for it! You never know how something will work out unless you actually try it, so be brave, take the jump and nine times out of ten it will pay off. Join ATB Facebook group as this will answer any questions you have about moving to Dubai and it will help you once living here. Research the field of work you want to go into and try to build long lasting business relationships and contacts.
Any tips for ladies wanting to move to Dubai
- Personally I would recommend trying to secure a job before moving out here. Otherwise be sure to have plenty of savings as it’s very expensive to live here. That being said, don’t let it put you off if you don’t have a job lined up, as I know lots of friends who just moved and found a job once they arrived here.
- Although Dubai is a massive party place and you might think you’re in Ibiza or Vegas when you get here, you do really have to remember and respect that you are in a Muslim country. It can be very strict about being drunk in the wrong places and getting into trouble, so always keep this in mind and be wise.
- Try a Friday Brunch, it’s one of the most iconic things to do on the weekend in Dubai. It’s basically a massive party at lunch time with unlimited food and alcohol. If you last past 7pm on your first ever brunch… well done to you!!
- Dubai can sometimes be a very lonely place being away from home and family, so do pick your Dubai family carefully and make sure you have a really good circle of real friends around you.
- Spend at least 1 Christmas here and do a brunch on Christmas Day. It’s the best atmosphere ever and my Mam and Dad absolutely loved it. They ended up coming 2 years running.
- Make the most of being a lady in Dubai and soak up all those ladies day/night deals for free alcohol and discounted food rates.
- Travel a lot while you’re here. Dubai airport is one of the main international hubs and you can travel to so many amazing destinations only a few hours away.
Don’ts
- Don’t worry if you don’t settle here straight away, or if you’re feeling home sick. It’s completely natural to find it hard to adjust to living here. I really did not take to Dubai the first few months. I ended up having an accident on my 2nd day in Dubai, so I spent my first 2 weeks of my new job, in my hotel room unable to walk. It was so overwhelming being on my own and having numerous hospital and physio trips for months. I would actually cry on the phone to my Mam thinking I had made the wrong decision moving here. It took me about 3-4+ months to settle in, but once I did I quickly began to see what all the fuss was about. So just hang in there if you are struggling, it will get better and you will begin to settle and enjoy everything Dubai has to offer.
- Don’t worry if you’re not loving your first job, look at everything as a stepping stone to get to the next step of where you really want to be.
- Don’t be disrespectful of the dress code in places such as Malls, Banks, Old Dubai etc and especially don’t be disrespectful in your choice of clothing during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
- Don’t forget your roots. Some people allow living in Dubai to go to their heads. Stay you, stay REAL and ENJOY everything this beautiful sunshine city in the desert has to offer. Lots of Love Jess x
IG: @jmtait_
Website: https://www.jmtait.com