Meet Jamie Naughton | Fashion Designer & Cosmetologist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Jamie Naughton and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jamie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, my mom would oil paint and dance and I always wanted to be able to have an outlet of my own. Being able to express your creativity is a luxury that not everyone gets the pleasure of doing. Let alone making some income off of what you love. If you ever took psychology in college you may recall Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; which puts art at the top of the pyramid and explains that to reach the pinnacle you much experience self transcendence. Throughout my many careers I have always had the privilege of using my art to make a living. Whether it was tattooing on eyebrows, doing makeup and hair, or now making athletic clothes it is a true honor to be able to create and fulfills my soul. To share my creative ventures with the public and experience with them is my joy.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my design journey in high school, actually. I was in the Fashion and Design Program at Flowing Wells High school where I both modeled and designed garments for fashion shows such as the MODA Provocateur for the AIDS foundation. I really fell in love with every aspect of the fashion world; the photography, the performance, the backstage hair and makeup, and most of all the creativity that designers were able to showcase. From there, I became a cosmologist and that was my bread and butter for the majority of my young life. I did hair and makeup for all kinds of events. My career has allowed me to experience so much variety from weddings and fashion shows to photoshoot events and even becoming a skin care educator for a pharmaceutical grade skincare company. I definitely would say professionally I had to start from the very bottom and work my way into positions for new opportunities. I came from a pretty low income household and had to work for what I have today. In my experience, I have found that strangers will support me more than those closest to me. With that being said, I still am not discounting the love I have been shown along the way. I have been blessed immensely with support however, no one will do the work for you.
In my personal life I have always loved exercise and wellness. Combining all of my interests into one is how Gym Bunny LLC was formed.
To be a Gym Bunny means you know that you can have it all, the looks, the brains, and the personality.
Coming from an industry so focused on appearance I learned that there is a huge advantage to harnessing the power of perception and how we choose to be perceived in the world.
To me, the most powerful people are kind, smart ,inclusive, inspirational and uplifting to those around them. That’s the direction I want to take the brand.
I have chose to make the garments out of recycled and high stretch materials to be as eco friendly and inclusive as possible while we are still small. Future expansion will include more sizing options, styles, and innovative fashion.
As of right now we are only a few months old as a company and planning big things in the near future.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite place to hangout is Postino’s! I would definitely plan evening dinners there or anytime we just want to sit somewhere and talk. One of my favorite places to get my nails done is by Jasmine at Selah salon and she offers very unique gel services.
My friends and I are typically pretty athletic so I would take them to a pole dance or aerial silks class in downtown Tucson.
I’m part of an adult kickball league so probably take them to play or watch.
I’m also a fan of the yoga here in Tucson and love the hot yoga class offered at 4th Avenue Yoga.
We have pretty cool seasonal events as well such as the Pima County fair or the various street fairs that occur throughout the year.
On top of that there’s so much to do here if you like the outdoors. Mt Lemmon is always gorgeous and we love to go up there to enjoy nature or go shooting. We have the best hiking spots or nature trails. My friends and I like to go see the butterflies at the Botanical Gardens too.
One of my favorite desert vendors is 5th Dimension foods and she sells throughout local businesses in Tucson such as the Screwbean which is a new local brewery and coffee shop.
Next door is the salon I work for which is a hidden gem and definitely a place of luxury so I would have to show my visitors Pure-Mettle as well!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Mrs Loyd at Flowing Wells High School is the reason know how to sew and create. Thank you, Mrs Loyd! Thank you to my sisters Lauren Naughton and Angelica Flores for teaching me fashion. Although you were my little sisters I always looked up to you for inspiration.
Thank you mom for fostering the artistic side of me. I know you believed I made it even before I was who I am now.
Thank you Chantel Hardison for inviting me to your level!
Thank you Matt and Maura Roll for opening my eyes to possibilities for my life that I didn’t think of for myself.
Thank you Leah Bromberg, Shannon Hanson, Mohammed Beij, and Jennifer Hanson for always bringing out the best in me and standing with me through it all. You have been so supportive and instrumental to my successes.
Thank you to everyone at Studio Create (Brianna Rambo & Katie Cooper), Sommer Koweek, and the Garment League (Tricee Thomas) for all that you guys have brought to my life and career.
This list could go on forever because I would be no one without all the love and support I have received. Their kindness and willingness to support me truly humbles me.
Instagram: @gymbunny.fits
Linkedin: Jamie Naughton
Facebook: Gym Bunny LLC
Image Credits
Katie Cooper Photography Creative Visual Images
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
