- Jarenis Ho

Welcome back to another #GlowfullyEmpower Inspiring Series and this week, we have Jarenis Ho, founder of Y21.

Jarenis founded Y21 in 2009, creating versatile, functional urban resort wear for women of all ages and body types ever since, using fashion as a tool to foster a supportive community of unique individuals. Y21's designs simplify modern women's wardrobes with ageless, practical pieces that prioritize comfort, quality, and flexibility, blurring the lines between work, party, and vacation attire.

1. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself?

My name is Jarenis, I am the founder of Y21, a fashion brand based in Singapore. I started this brand in 2009 with a mission to offer well-made urban resort wear and promote age diversity in fashion.

I am passionate about creating fashion that enhances the unique features of each individual. I strongly believe that every woman should have the freedom to wear what makes her feel comfortable and confident, regardless of her age or body shape.

At Y21, we strive to inspire women by offering a range of clothing options that cater to different body types and hybrid lifestyles. Through my brand, I aim to create a community of women who support and uplift each other. I believe that fashion is a powerful tool that can bring women together and inspire them to be their best selves.

2. When you first started your career, did you imagine yourself being in this role? 

When I first started my career, I had a general idea of the direction I wanted to take, but I couldn't have predicted that I would end up in this specific role. Over time, as I gained more experience and developed my skills, I discovered my passion for retail and fashion design, which ultimately led me to where I am today.

I believe that being open to new opportunities and taking on challenges as they arise can lead to unexpected and fulfilling paths in one's career. While I didn't envision this exact role when I first started out, I am grateful for the journey that has brought me here and the experiences that have shaped me along the way.

3. What is an important piece of advice you wish to give to young women in their careers?

Always be open to learning and growing. Embrace new challenges and opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge. Your career is a journey, and every experience, both positive and negative, can teach you something valuable.

4. How would your friends and people around you describe you?

Someone who is passionate and desires to lead a more purposeful life. 

5. With more opportunities being given to females, what do you think are the challenges that modern females are facing today?

Work-life balance: Balancing career and family responsibilities can be a significant challenge for females, especially those who are raising children or caring for elderly family members.

6. Using one word, what would you describe yourself as?

Tenacious

7. Of these few shades, which do you feel represents yourself the most? (Signature Rose, Celebrity Crush, S-Peach-Less, Warm Latte, Glazed)

S-Peach-Less! I chose the shade because it matches my skin tone. 😉 

I used it daily as a lip colour for daytime and blend it with my lipstick at night for a stronger look. S-Peach-Less helped to moisturize my lips and I love how natural the colour turns out on my lips.

Rebrand, Reinvigorate, Reconnect

Y21 was formerly known as YACHT 21, a homegrown urban resort wear label inspired by a boat voyage with friends who were blandly dressed. The brand's timeless name, 21, reflects Jarenis's desire to create designs that transcend age. Since then, Jarenis has been creating four collections each year, drawing inspiration from her travels and minimalist Scandinavian design. YACHT 21's clean and functional designs are varied in the wearer's individual aesthetic, while every fuss-free piece complements the body, resulting in a distinctive effortless look.

Y21's collaboration with grey_evolution features a fashion collection that encourages ageless dressing and personal beauty expression. Jarenis expressed that her idea behind the collaboration celebrates women's unique identities and encourages them to embrace their individual narratives, whether they are in their twenties or sixties. The clothes are contemporary in style, appealing, and wearable by any woman of any age and size, reflecting the idea of an ageless fashion.

As we celebrate women and their achievements this month, Jarenis story of using fashion as a tool to create a community of women who support and uplift each other resonates with us here at Glowfully and we share her passion in empowering women to wear what makes them feel confident and comfortable, regardless of their age or body shape.

That is all for this week's #GlowfullyEmpowers Inspiring Series and stay tune for our last episode next Monday, 27 March 2023. Remember to follow us on Instagram at @glowfullyskin and see you next week!