But aren’t personal style and image You mentioned that you had been The past ten years have been some of
consultants just for the rich and ill for some time – is it something the most challenging of my life but it
famous? you want to share with us? has made me more determined to do
Absolutely not. Why should they be I don’t mind sharing if it helps others, only work that I love, create balance
the only ones who get to look good! although it’s probably a story within in my life, put my health first and help
We might not all get to be seen on TV its own right. I was born with major people to reach their full potential.
or in the media, but every single one heart defects – congenital heart disease. Being self-employed allows me to be
of us has to get up each day and put This condition affects about one in a flexible with my working hours and if
in an appearance somewhere, do a hundred babies. Surgeons were only I’m having a particularly bad health day
job and put our face in front of dozens just pioneering surgical and medical then I can just stay home in my pyjamas
of people. solutions for this when I was young and no-one knows any different.
and many patients didn’t survive.
Hiring a stylist is just about using Apparently I’m lucky to have got What’s your tip for survival?
another person’s skills to achieve this far. I’ve had my fair share of Have a sense of humour - some of my
your aims. It’s perceived as expensive cardiac surgery and procedures, have funniest moments have been borne out
because of all the celebrity been hospitalised for many months of the most dire and fearful situations.
endorsements, but actually I deal over the years and have had some Realise that self-confidence is not
with many clients on a piecemeal very dicey moments. narcissistic – it’s best to hang out with
basis – you can’t create a new person people who are upbeat, positive and
overnight – effective style has to evolve Ultimately we learn at a very young age genuine as anything else is just draining
over a period of time and each client to live with the disease. It hasn’t been on our energy. Recognise that giving-in
has to embrace it as their own. an easy ride for either me or my family. to illness is sometimes the most
Support and help from outside the practical and deserving thing you can
Do you have any famous clients? family hasn’t been forthcoming – do – we all need a rest now and then,
Can’t say - client confidentiality etc. we’ve had to find it and fight for it and so don’t let others make you feel guilty
generally keep knocking on doors and for it. Finally, support your local
be persistent. It’s because as a group community – it’s the only way any of
of cardiac patients, our disease falls us are going to survive anything.
outside of the norm which is why it is
a specialist branch of cardiac medicine.
Shot on location at Holm House, Marine Parade,
Most people have heard of coronary
Penarth www.holmhouse.co.uk
Photography by Martin Phillips
artery disease or bypass surgery but
www.martinphillipsphotography.com
being born with heart disease is a Suzanne is wearing silk dress and cardigan by Nougat,
different kettle of fish, as we have
dress by Nougat and cardigan by French Connection.
other complications to consider.
Cardigan and linen trousers by French Connection -
all available from Bryl’s Boutique, High Street, Barry.
www.brylsboutique.net
A charitable patient association called Top, skirt and hat - Suzanne’s own.
GUCH (Grown Up Congenital Hearts)
Coat from Pink Zebra, Llantrisant.
offers fantastic support at all levels for
Hair by Kudos of Pontyclun.
www.kudoshair.co.uk
its patients and the carers and families
For more information about Grown Up Congenital
of those patients. They have been an Heart Patients Association (GUCH) www.guch.org.uk
invaluable resource and comfort to me
over the years.
Suzanne Jaya
01443 229296 or 07833 780006
“Play with your style – rebel a bit and experiment.
suzanne@suzannejaya.com
www.suzannejaya.com
Creative expression is natural.”
35❧ ❧
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