Jessica Miller

I met Jess in 2015 when we were working together and sometimes dancing together. During this time I had some big life challenges and I can honestly say that I don’t know how I could have got through that time without her and her family.

Apart from her enormous generosity and open heart she has inspired me a lot with her determination to follow her dreams and make things happen. She is one of the busiest and most hardworking people I know, yet she will always have time for anyone who needs her and won’t ever miss a party!

Read on to learn about all the exciting work that she does and how she uniquely approaches it.

Here’s to you, Jess!

ON / OFF at OOPS @ OH 28.11.19. Photo by Sophie Newton

Please introduce yourself, and what it is you so wonderfully do…

My name is Jessica Miller :) I am 27 years old, born and raised in Brighton, trained in dance in London at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of music and dance from there went onto live in Brussels, Belgium for 15 months to learn French, be an au pair and check out the dance scene on the continent!

I am an outside of the box doer and thinker and I put my hand to lots of things, many creative things;

dance - all the time, any chance I can

sewing - @bravedesin

producing - OOPS Festival curated by the Swallowsfeet Collective

touring - Rejoining Jane with a site specific touring company called Tick Tock Bridget

OH Creative Space - I think one of my biggest achievements and dream come true is that I now run a dance space in London, Bermondsey, for artists with Sivan Rubinstein

What is your ideal way to start the day?

Wake up, have a tea in bed then a nice walk along the seafront or on the downs then come home and eat something

But depends if this is a working day or just super ideal… if it’s a working day, get up and I’m with emails with a cup of tea. Or some sewing with Harry Potter in the background!

Do you have any daily rituals/ routines? Morning and/or night?

Um, not really. My days vary so much from day to day. But if I am having a sewing day or time I will make a tea, put Harry Potter on and get on with cutting out whatever I’m making.

I always brush my teeth!

I like to stretch / do some exercise everyday but I have been injured recently so the pattern / routine has been harder to keep!

Do you have any practices or remedies to keep healthy in the cold months?

Just to always make sure I am happy. I am a social being so am always charged and energised by seeing my friends and making sure to mix business with pleasure! And more recently being in tune with my cycle really helps me to understand when I will need more sleep, more food and less of the pushing of myself that I’m very good at. And this helps me to look after myself and those around me.

When you need to get out of town, where in nature do you like to escape to?

The sea - always the sea

But I also love the hills with views!

How do you like to spend your nights and or/weekends?

Evenings; eating and drinking with friends chilling with a film or good music and conversation

Weekends; going on an adventure

How do you unwind, recentre and find balance?

This feels like a very hard question. I think that I do a lot of different things and can very much be an over thinker and have practiced hard to “let it go”.

I like to make lists and then check the things off, check at the beginning and end of the day / week / month. Make sure I have planned things with others who I need to work with. I think ahead a lot to then plan backwards.

I make sure to set a time to stop working and feel accomplished with my day’s achievements and make sure to, once I have decided to not work I don’t worry about it until the next day / when I decide to check in! I think that this is an art to master but I do feel like I have managed to master it to a degree which I’m happy with. I’m always looking to better myself but for me letting myself know timings and planning ahead let’s me chill and LET GO or even just focus on just one thing so that I am so very present in what I am doing in that moment.

What is your favourite way to exercise?

Dancing or swimming

Your favourite meal to cook?

Pasta, mushrooms and spinach, with some garlic and plenty of salt!! - the key to this dish is to cook the mushrooms for ages so that they are really crispy. You need loads because they shrivel down to nothing!

Your favourite place to get dinner?

Depends on my mood! But I really love a take away Indian from Mumbai Express in Kemptown

Padella, borough market near London Bridge

A M A Z I N G

What/where/who do you turn to when you need inspiration?

Depends what I need inspiration for!

But generally my friends and family. These are the people who know me the best, the people I love the most and care about the most who I know will give me the most honest answers. I trust them and trust is key for me.

And always the sea as a place for inspiration.

How would you describe your style? What & who influences you?

I would say I like to think outside of the box, I’m observant, I’m caring, I’m interested and I’m resourceful. I like to be as eco as possible and I like to make my own clothing. I don’t think I am that daring with what i wear but in style of conversation and creativity I like to challenge / provide thought provocation, wit & collaboration.

What is your definition of beauty?

Happiness, peace, compassion, acceptance & love

In what ways do you care for your mind, body & spirit?

Love in everything I do. By listening as best that I can to myself and others. By talking about how I feel, listening to others. Observing the challenges of society. By being peaceful that the force of nature is bigger than anyone and that the spirit of nature will care for the spirit of our hearts.

Many ways I perhaps I don’t know really how but I think that my spirit and the spirit of others take care subconsciously of the conscious mind and body.

Key things though are:

Love - everything you give out and take in

Food - to gain strength, energy and happiness

Water - to function

Sleep / recovery - to function and recover!

What are you most grateful for in your life?

Love, to have so much to give and to have so much given to me.

Current favourite…

Book - Period Power

Movie - Harry Potter

Song - Amsterdam by Jacques Brel (fab English version by Scot Walker)

Podcast - my dad wrote a porno

Clothing item - a black crushed velvet Jumpsuit I made

Can you share with us any big plans/visions for 2020?

To complete the Brighton Half Marathon on the 23rd Feb 2020! I have an injury right now so any positive energy and strength to be sent my way to complete this mission would be much appreciated!

I’d love to learn Spanish and practice my French more!

I have so many big visions, I hope that they will all happen, I believe the most important ones will come true! Somehow what’s meant to be will be!