Sheila Janet

Image Courtesy Of Sheila Janet

"I am based in Amsterdam, though I was born and raised in Tilburg, in the south of the Netherlands. The best thing I ever did was leave Tilburg. Growing up there, I always felt out of place, the atmosphere was often quite closed-minded.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to create a women’s brand. As a teenager, I sewed my own Destiny’s Child, inspired outfits for house parties. During the winters, I would immerse myself in sketching full spring, summer collections just for myself. To me, fashion is an underrated art form. I have little interest in its commercial side, I see it purely as a means of self-expression.

I began my studies at a technical fashion school, then moved into interior design. Feeling that these paths were too narrowly defined, I continued on to art school, where I studied lifestyle and design. Art school became a pivotal space for me, one where I could truly develop both personally and creatively.

Earlier this year, I founded Lait de Coco Studio, where I serve as creative director. I focus on content creation, collection development, and brand building. My vision was to establish a summer-focused brand centered on holiday essentials. At the moment, I am designing a capsule collection in collaboration with Oceanus Swimwear. Swimwear has always been a passion of mine, something I’ve long envisioned creating. This spring, Butterscotch Isle x Oceanus Swim will launch, and I’m very excited.

I am deeply inspired by my best friends, brilliant, creative women with extraordinary minds, as well as by the strong women who raised me. In my work, I consistently portray women as almost supernatural. A woman’s inner strength is, to me, the essence of life itself.

As an ’80s baby, I’m endlessly drawn to the aesthetics of the ’80s and ’90s, it’s nostalgia at its finest. My home reflects a lavish ’80s style, and my wardrobe is composed almost entirely of authentic vintage finds from that era. I often watch old films to spark new ideas, both for my work and for myself.

When it comes to beauty, I swear by cocoa butter. After an extremely hot shower, I apply it, it smells incredible and keeps my skin glowing all day. I love to carry a scent that feels almost edible.

My spare time is dedicated to my guilty pleasures: "Real Housewives of Atlanta", "Basketball Wives", and "Love and Hip Hop". I also love visiting flea markets and thrift stores, that’s where I discover my best pieces.

To unwind, I roll a spliff and take a walk through Amsterdam, listening to Lana Del Rey. I’m her biggest fan."

As told told to MBF
14 September, 2019