Conversations with Jamiah Mott

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jamiah Mott.

Hi Jamiah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Roots to Runway began long before the runway lights ever turned on. It started in a bedroom with two best friends, a pile of fabric, a brush, and a dream. Jade, a natural designer, would lay fabrics across the bed and sew pieces together just to see what they could become. I would stand nearby doing hair – curling, braiding, and styling looks to match whatever she created. We weren’t building a brand back then. We were simply creating out of love. For over 10 years, that’s been our rhythm. She designs. I style. She brings the fashion. I bring the roots. Even today, she still makes outfits for me, and I still do her hair for every big moment. What started as childhood creativity grew into purpose – and eventually into a vision. As we stepped into the fashion industry, we noticed something missing. Hair and fashion often lived in separate spaces, when in reality, they complete one another. The look isn’t whole without both.
So we decided to bridge that gap. Roots to Runway was created to connect beauty and fashion – and to create opportunities for the next generation of creatives. This isn’t just a fashion show. It’s a platform for aspiring models, designers, hairstylists, and small businesses to be seen, celebrated, and supported.It’s built from friendship, passion, and community – not just production.And that’s what makes it different.When you sponsor Roots to Runway, you’re not just backing an event. You’re investing in real stories, real talent, and real impact.You’re supporting two women who turned a lifelong friendship and shared passion into a movement that empowers others to step into their spotlight.From the bedroom floor to the runway stage, this has always been about heart. And we invite you to grow with us.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Roots to Runway may have looked glamorous from the audience, but behind the lights, fashion, hair and applause was a journey filled with sacrifice, uncertainty and obstacles that tested us at every stage.One of our greatest struggles was building something this large without having unlimited funding, major sponsors or a large corporate team behind us. We had a vision that was bigger than our resources. Every expense from the venue and set design to marketing, production, wardrobe and backstage supplies required careful planning, personal sacrifice and faith that everything would come together.Securing sponsorships was another difficult part of the journey. We reached out to numerous businesses and organizations, only to receive rejections, unanswered emails or responses from companies that did not fully understand the value of our vision. It was discouraging at times, especially because we knew Roots to Runway was about much more than putting on a fashion show. We were creating opportunities for hairstylists, designers, models, makeup artists and other creatives who are often overlooked.Coordinating such a large group of people also came with challenges. We worked with approximately 40 models, five designers and an entire production team, all with different schedules, personalities and responsibilities. There were rehearsals, fittings, hair-preparation days, last-minute changes and moments when communication did not go as planned. We had to learn how to hold people accountable while also remaining patient, professional and focused on the bigger picture.There were also moments when we questioned whether we had taken on too much. The pressure of making sure every designer’s collection was presented properly, every model was prepared, every hairstyle supported the vision and every guest had a memorable experience was overwhelming. We were not simply responsible for ourselves. Other people trusted us with their work, their time, their talent and their dreams.Many of the sacrifices were unseen. There were long days, late nights, difficult conversations, unexpected expenses and moments of exhaustion. We had to continue running our own businesses and managing our personal responsibilities while producing an event of this magnitude. At times, we had to solve problems with limited time and resources, without allowing the audience to see the pressure happening behind the scenes.However, every obstacle taught us something. We learned how to communicate more effectively, establish stronger expectations, build better systems and become more confident leaders. We learned that leadership is not only about celebrating when everything goes well; it is also about remaining calm, making difficult decisions and continuing forward when things do not go according to plan.Despite every rejection, setback and stressful moment, we did not give up. What began as a vision shared by two best friends grew into an experience attended by approximately 500 people. Watching the models walk the runway, seeing the designers’ creations come to life and witnessing hairstylists and other creatives receive recognition reminded us why we startedThe struggles did not weaken the Roots to Runway vision. They strengthened it. They proved that we could create something impactful without having every resource, connection or answer in the beginning. We built it through determination, creativity, teamwork, faith and the belief that hair and fashion deserve to be celebrated together.Roots to Runway was not successful because the journey was easy. It was successful because, even when the journey became difficult, we continued to believe in the vision.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Jamiah Mott is a master cosmetologist, salon owner, and creative director
whose work is rooted in purpose, excellence, and transformation. A graduate of Empire Beauty School, she opened her first salon at just 21 years old without investors, formal mentorship, or a blueprint, building it from the ground up
through skill, discipline, and faith.
With limited resources, Jamiah personally constructed her salon while
balancing cosmetology school, outside employment, and full-time ownership.
Through consistency and dedication, she grew a loyal clientele into a
sustainable business, successfully operating for over three years and
expanding her team while mentoring emerging stylists.Jamiah specializes in healthy hair care, silk presses, protective styling, braids, custom color, and natural hair services, with a strong focus on maintaining hair integrity and delivering an elevated client experience. Her leadership extendsbeyond styling, as she is deeply passionate about education, salon culture, andcreating opportunities within the beauty industry. Her excellence has earned her recognition as a Taliah Waajid Honoree, an invitation to Essence Festival through the Taliah Waajid brand, selection as a platform hairstylist for the World Natural Hair Show, and a
Magazine cover feature. Expanding into fashion and creative direction, Jamiah
is the creator and host of Roots to Runway, a fashion show bridging hair artistry and high fashion. Driven by purpose and impact, Jamiah creates more than styles she creates
confidence, builds brands, and helps people see themselves differently.

Jade Christina is a fashion designer, stylist, and creative producer with a degree in Fashion Design and Fashion Marketing from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Her academic background laid the foundation for a career that bridges design, styling, brand development, and fashion production with intention and clarity.
Since graduating, Jade has built a multifaceted practice encompassing custom garment creation, styling, and creative direction. As the founder of her
independent brand, Jade Christina, she has designed and produced made-to-
measure and ready-to-wear pieces while also styling individuals and creative
projects with a focus on fit, self-expression, and confidence. Her styling work is rooted in helping people feel seen and empowered through clothing, whether on set, on the runway, or in everyday life. Beyond design and styling, Jade is deeply invested in community-building within fashion. Her work emphasizes sustainability through hand-crafted processes, thoughtful production, and an appreciation for up cycled, small-batch, and slow-fashion practices. She actively creates spaces through collaborations, fashion programming, and production work that uplift emerging designers and creatives, encourage conscious consumption, and foster confidence both on and off the runway.
Currently, Jade is expanding her work as a creative producer and co-producer
on fashion-forward projects, where she brings a detail-driven, collaborative
approach to execution. Her practice centers on craftsmanship, sustainability,
and using fashion as a tool for connection, confidence, and collective growth

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes. For Roots to Runway, we rely on a combination of planning tools, creative resources, leadership content and industry inspiration to help us perform at our best. We use calendars, shared documents, checklists, social media and vision boards to organize rehearsals, fittings, hair preparation, designers, models, sponsors and the production team. We also learn from fashion-show footage, interviews, podcasts and content created by successful designers, hairstylists, event producers and entrepreneurs. These resources help us strengthen our creativity, leadership, communication and overall event execution.Prayer, reflection and honest conversations with our team are also important resources for us. Producing Roots to Runway can be demanding, so staying grounded and remembering the purpose behind the show helps us push through stressful moments. Our greatest resource is the community of creatives surrounding us. Their experiences, ideas and feedback continue to help Roots to Runway grow into a stronger platform for hair, fashion and creative opportunity.

Pricing:

• April 10, 2027
• Roots To Runway: The Designers Canvas
• $25 tickets

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rootstorunway?igsh=MWRkN2o2ZW41eG04bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rootstorunway0?_r=1&_t=ZP-98GtsUyS382