Connecting culture…

is second nature to me.

I love connecting people and energy. Sometimes that means bringing together creatives who’ve never met—and sometimes it means pulling someone out of their usual lane, like a producer, graphic designer, or musician who’s never modeled before.
If the synergy is there, it just makes sense. I follow a feeling—trusting instinct, timing, and the magic that happens when the right people are in the room. Through community and intuition, I help create moments that feel unexpected, but meant to be.

Shannon and Shannade Clermont (influencers)‘The Clermont Twins’ connected via Yori Sport Womenswear instagram page. Rising to fame in 2015 after being on reality TV show “Bad Girls Club” they’ve remained prominent figured in the fashion and social community constantly being seen with opium members and consistently present at high class events, this connected was an iconic moment.

Trippie Redd(Musician)Shot, Styled, Directed by Jessica Abene. After spotting his DM in Dasyori’s message requests, I was able to quickly recover it and lock in a fitting and photoshoot within days. At the time, I was working closely with a record label, and after we exchanged contacts and discussed creative ideas, I invited him to the label’s compound. The collaboration naturally expanded—Trippie stayed for a week, during which we shot multiple looks, recorded music, and filmed videos. The moment went viral and led to a major spike in both brand sales and community engagement.

BloodyClip(Musician) Shot Styled and Directed by Jessica Abene

This location—where I photographed Clip, along with many other models before and after—quickly became an iconic backdrop within the YORI community. It resonated so strongly that visitors frequently asked about it whenever they stopped by our studio. Even after nearly a year since moving offices, the “hallway spot” continues to be one of the most asked-about and remembered visuals associated with the brand.

In June 2023, Yori came to me at a creative standstill—uncertain about the direction for the upcoming season’s marketing. He was transitioning out of the ‘Dirty Punk’ era and stepping into what would become ‘YORI SPORT’—a new phase rooted in lifestyle, elevated silhouettes, and a deeper focus on detail. The brand was also physically shifting, moving from its Philadelphia roots to a new home base in Manhattan.

Drawing inspiration from early Kapital’s character-driven branding and Abercrombie & Fitch’s lifestyle-led exclusivity (with a more welcoming edge), we began building something that felt both curated and community-driven.

As someone who’s been immersed in SoundCloud rap and underground music since middle school, keeping up with emerging artists and scenes has always come naturally to me. Living in New York meant the culture I’d been following for years was suddenly right outside my door—and I saw an opportunity to merge those worlds. I didn’t hesitate to take initiative.

One thing about me—for better or worse—I can’t keep a good idea to myself. When I see dots connecting in my head, I trust my instinct and move. That mindset became a driving force behind this next chapter for the brand.

Peezy(@p3ezy) and Andi(@andivaus)Shot, Styled, Directed by Jessica Abene

Cozy Raf (Fashion Influencer) Styled by Jessica Abene for the Barbie Movie Premier in NYC

Quick thinking and a strategic eye allows me to bring elements together with ease—creating moments that feel effortless, yet leave a lasting impact…

When I moved to New York, I naturally fell into a creative community—surrounded by musicians, photographers, designers, and skaters who were already immersed in a world that ran parallel to fashion. I knew I was in the right place, with the right people, to start building something special.

One person who stood out immediately was my friend Xavier (@xaviersobased), who was making waves by blending his skateboarding talent with music—and doing it all with a hilarious, effortless, and magnetic personality. He embodied the kind of multifaceted energy that aligned perfectly with the YORI ethos.

We did a casual fitting, putting him in a pair of YORI's wide-leg grey sweatpants, and wandered through the city shooting photos in a natural, unforced way. One photo—Xavier with the sweatpants tossed over his shoulder—stopped us in our tracks. It made us laugh out loud in the moment, and we instantly knew it was something special.

…sometimes, the strategy is in simplicity—capturing a moment that might feel a little offbeat or unexpected, but evokes a real feeling. Recognizing the power in those subtle, emotional sparks is something I’ve grown deeply attuned to.

April 2024, I began working closely with musician Bktherula on a range of creative projects—from social media consulting and music video concepts to styling her entire U.S. tour. During a busy week of fittings, we had Max, Evan, and Colin (the BAM boys) scheduled, who were quickly rising on TikTok for their dance content. At the time, we were leaning into skit-style marketing, and after brainstorming with Max, I suggested bringing BK into the concept. The energy aligned instantly, leading to an unexpected but impactful collaboration. This moment sparked multiple viral videos and resulted in the BAM boys joining BK on tour across several dates.

L2R- Max(@maxevasion), Colin(@Colinczaja), Bk(@bktherule), Evan(@evandagreat26), Shot, Styled, Directed by Jessica Abene

@februarytrash , @ch111oe , @hopnguyen.vn , prominent creative models and feminine figures on social media, All cohesively known for their boundary defying concepts and ways of personal expression thru their imagery. Bringing these worlds together was like 2 sides of instagram joining forces, Joi being NYC/China based, Chloe being LA based, and Hop very known amongst NYC fashion and avant-garde community, this shoot was incredibly inspirational and still a go to reference of bringing people and women together to create moments that are artistic and expandable.

Bktherula (Musician) Shot, Styled, Directed by Jessica Abene
After our initial connection, BK and I continued building creatively—conceptualizing ideas together and doing multiple fittings at the YORI office in NYC. I also introduced her to the record label I was working with at the time, where she spent time recording at their compound. We carried the YORI energy with us there too, styling a few looks during her sessions. It was a fluid, collaborative moment that blended music, fashion, and trust—something that still feels special to this day.

We posted it, and the response was explosive. It became one of YORI’s most viral posts to date—sparking memes, remakes, Twitter discourse, and widespread attention. That moment didn’t just go viral—it shifted the brand’s trajectory. By continuing to build strategically on that momentum and connecting with the right people, I helped transform YORI into a true community-driven staple.

One of my strongest approaches to social media is keeping things raw and genuine. I believe the process is just as important to show as the result—it adds relatability, invites connection, and grounds the brand in something real. There's an art to sharing just enough without giving everything away—to letting people in without breaking the barrier. Over time, I feel I’ve honed the balance between mystery and vulnerability, maintaining intrigue while still leaving it all on the dance floor.