Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. The way we dress speaks volumes about who we are and what we represent before we even say a word. It is a way to reflect individuality and identity.
Jessica Toutounji’s Closet takes us on a journey through the evolution of Jessica‘s fashion sense. Through her wardrobe, Jessica offers a glimpse into her story. Each piece reveals not just her style but the experiences and inspirations that shaped it.
Style Roots
Jessica Toutounji didn’t stumble into fashion. She grew up with it—absorbed it. She loved to watch movies about fashion and admire the outfits on screen. She remembers watching 13 Going on 30 and loving the moments when the protagonist gets ready. “My favorite part was Jenna putting on makeup and getting dressed,” she said. Style wasn’t about looks—it was about transformation.
Her mom fueled the obsession. “My mom is a shopping addict. She used to take my brother and me with her all the time,” Jessica joked. She grew up playing hide and seek in clothing racks and trying on heels from her mother’s overflowing wardrobe. Her dad, a fashion photographer, added another layer. He’d take her and her brother on mini photo shoots. The camera wasn’t foreign—it was part of the environment. So was style.
Everyday Pieces
When you love a piece of clothing, you try to incorporate it into every outfit. Jessica is no different. She mentioned a few favorite pieces she’s been attached to—and keeps reaching for. Every closet has the pieces we keep going back to.
For Jessica, that means her Levi’s jeans. “They fit better than any other jeans I’ve tried. I can throw them on with anything and feel ready,” she said. Then there are the blazers—specifically her dad’s. “They make me feel bold,” she said. “I think he’s done with me at this point. I spend so much time in his closet looking for blazers.”
The Designer Instinct
Jessica doesn’t design for trends. She designs for need. If she can’t find a piece, she makes it. “For last summer’s collection, I designed a fuchsia dress inspired by the Bougainvillea flower,” she said. “I stitched some of the flowers onto it. I was worried people wouldn’t understand it, but they loved it. It’s still my favorite piece.”
Another favorite of hers is a brown blazer she created after searching for one that didn’t exist. She added brass buttons and an adjustable waist. “I’m very into brown. It’s not basic, but it can be. The buttons made it a statement without being loud,” she said.
She builds what she wants to wear, then watches others fall in love with it too.
Personal Touches
Everyone has their go-to accessories that add a whole lot of personality to the outfits. Jessica wears the same rings every day. They’re non-negotiable. She also relies on her Jude Ben Halim earrings—gold and silver mixed together. “When I’m unsure what earrings to wear, I reach for those. They go with everything,” she said. Another favorite: a green taffeta scrunchie from Ashta. “It adds something to every outfit I wear.”
Jessica’s wardrobe isn’t about what’s trendy. It’s a personal archive. It reflects where she’s been, what she loves, and how she sees herself. Each piece is part of the story—past, present, and future.