Glitz Magazine | April 2025
Fashion designer and founder of LJR BE YOURSELF, Jena Rebecca, is an enterprising and ambitious woman, but also a caring person who became a stylist by vocation and perseverance to achieve her goals.
“I don’t like to talk about success because I believe we never stop learning and there’s always something to improve. I’m only at the very beginning of what I’d like to accomplish,” explains Jena. “I’m also a nurse. It’s my first career. This job has shaped me and allowed me to become the woman I am today. A very formative career!”
I believe that every person is born for a purpose, and this purpose can only be achieved when we answer these questions, which often seems to frighten many people:
Why am I on Earth? What are we called to do? What are our gifts, our talents? What can we do with them? Why are they there?
Fashion is the channel I use to make my clients reflect on their situation. Once the answers are found, or partially found, it automatically leads to this question of identity, which is the foundation. This knowledge systematically makes us more confident and then encourages us to value ourselves, so I think that self-knowledge and self-esteem allow us to excel in everything we do.
Spirituality also plays a huge role in my creative process because God is important to me and my faith is an integral part of who I am and what I offer as a fashion designer. By this, I mean that everything I create must align with my values. Every decision is made accordingly. There can be no distinction. I am a Christian, and being a Christian is a daily way of life for me; it goes beyond simply practicing a religion at church on Sundays. Therefore, I try to manage my brand in such a way as to combine style, elegance, and glamour, while aligning everything as much as possible with my personal and religious values.
LJR BE YOURSELF is a fashion brand that represents elegance, determination and vision. These three words are among the brand’s core values. They are values I rely on to make many decisions about the brand.
LJR BE YOURSELF is also based on self-acceptance and identity, which in my opinion strongly correlates with self-confidence, and self-confidence can be felt. It can be expressed in words, gestures, and attitudes, as well as in behaviour and actions. I translate this philosophy through the choice of clothing cuts and the style of my collections, which are generally quite assertive. I also use my verbal and non-verbal communication!
The inspiration behind creating LJR BE YOURSELF is firstly my love for art and everything artistic. From a young age I had a creative side and a particular penchant for fashion. Secondly, I’ve always wanted to create something personal through my gifts and talents. It seems that this something is LJR BE YOURSELF.
For me, LJR BE YOURSELF is the result of a professional, personal, and spiritual journey. I think this brand represents for me the reunification of several stages and seasons of my life. I was also, of course, inspired by artists and brands that I admire, who shaped my childhood as a future fashion designer.
LJR BE YOURSELF presents three distinct fashion categories, thoughtfully crafted to celebrate individuality and suit a variety of special occasions with elegance and style. These categories include:
LJR Ready To Wear :
LJR ready-to-wear is designed specifically for active people or those who tend to be. This category combines comfort and style simultaneously. Furthermore, its prices are affordable, which gives people from all walks of life the opportunity to discover the LJR BE YOURSELF brand.
Images Supplied : LJR BE YOURSELF
LJR Couture :
LJR Couture is a much more artistically advanced category. It’s suitable for both small and large occasions. This category is for true fashionistas. It’s the category to absolutely check out if you want to stand out with a chic and original outfit.
LJR Wedding :
LJR Wedding is dedicated specifically to future brides and grooms. This category was born at the request of clients; I hadn’t planned it initially. It’s the result of multiple requests, which I simply tried to answer. This category aims to enhance the beauty of our brides and grooms and help make their wedding day one of the most beautiful by creating a unique outfit worthy of the day. Marriage is an institution that I defend and respect.
We also have LJR Charity a charitable dimension which was inspired firstly by the values I uphold, including respect for others, relationships, and kindness, which are integral parts of who I am. Secondly, it’s my experience as a caregiver and my personal faith and I hope to be able to reach and help people internationally through LJR Charity. I think that would be one of my greatest achievements.
Beyond being a brand, LJR BE YOURSELF is a state of mind. In fact, one of our mottos is: “Much more than a brand, a state of mind!” One of the other values we uphold is determination and boldness, which is why LJR strives to always aim high.We don’t claim to change lives, because only God truly has that ability. However, we aspire to do so and wish to contribute to changing mentalities through our brand by promoting values that will help us strive for this best version of each person.
You balance your activities as a stylist, nurse, and entrepreneur. How do these different aspects of your life influence each other?
These different aspects of my life blend and influence each other very naturally because they encompass values and characteristics that are part of who I am as a person. There are still challenges because it’s never easy to do several things at once, but it remains fluid and logical for me in the sense that these are areas that I enjoy and that characterize me. For me, each of these areas is complementary. They interact synergistically and create my balance.
Fashion is often seen as a form of self-expression. How do you hope your designs help people fully express themselves?
I don’t think my designs will necessarily allow people to fully express themselves or change, but I hope they will contribute. I believe that life is a process made up of seasons and stages that we must accept in order to move forward, and when I use the word ACCEPT, it implies that it also takes willpower to move forward in life. I simply try to convey my brand’s values to my customers using my own methods.
As a designer, what challenges have you faced in the fashion industry, and how have they shaped your career path?
The biggest challenges I’ve faced in the fashion industry are finances, time management, and the vastness of the ready-to-wear market. But, I think these challenges go beyond being a designer. It’s still educational and challenging. I think that’s also what makes entrepreneurship so beautiful. It’s all these challenges that allow us to truly savor the victories.Personally, I use them as a self-booster. I believe that each brand has a personal touch to bring, a touch that sets it apart.
What advice would you give to budding designers and entrepreneurs who want to create a brand with a purpose?
I would tell them to think about a clear vision before even starting their project. The vision will be what will sustain you in the long term. It will be your guiding light and will help you stay focused when challenges arise. Because, yes, challenges are part of the entrepreneurial process, and you shouldn’t be afraid of them, you just have to be prepared for them.
Readers can connect and explore LJR BE YOUSELF through the following channels:
Website : www.ljrbeyourself.com
Email : ljr.beyourself@gmail.com
Instagram : @ljrbeyourself