Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elle Capan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

jo&jean was born from a shared vision between my sister Erica and I, inspired not just by fashion but by the women who shaped us. The name jo&jean comes from our middle names, passed down from our grandmothers. Grandma Jo is still part of our journey, and Grandma Marjorie Jean’s influence continues to guide us. The brand is our way of honoring their legacy through thoughtful, authentic, quality pieces.

For me, creativity was never just a hobby, it was how I moved through the world. That passion grew deeper when I moved to New York to study Fashion Marketing, where I immersed myself in styling, trend forecasting, and the showroom side of the industry. Those experiences sharpened my eye for detail and taught me how to turn inspiration into identity.

Fashion has always been about more than clothes; it’s about how something makes you feel. Authenticity, intention, and quality guide everything jo&jean creates, because style is not just what you wear but it’s how you show up.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Elle, the co-founder of jo&jean. I was the kind of kid who got dressed up for preschool like it was Fashion Week and was sketching outfits during story time. I have always been driven by a love for pieces that feel intentional and meaningful. Before starting the brand, I spent years studying and working in different areas of the industry.

With jo&jean, my sister and I focus on designing timeless, elevated essentials pieces that fit beautiful, feel good, and make getting dressed effortless. We’re thoughtful about every detail, from the fabrics we choose to the silhouettes we create.

What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity, purpose and quality. I’m most proud of creating a brand that feels personal, and my hope is that anyone discovering jo&jean can feel the intention and care behind every piece.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner is actually my sister, Erica, so our story started long before jo&jean ever existed. We grew up sharing closets, and a similar style, even though our personalities are different. We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were slowly building the foundation of a partnership.

The idea for jo&jean really formed over the past few years. We were talking about the pieces we wished existed in our closets, so we started to sew them with our Grandma Jo. From there, that grew into others wanting to acquire our pieces we created. And before we knew it, jo&jean was born.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think my reputation in the industry has been built through a mix of experience, relationships, and a willingness to take feedback seriously. Working in the fashion industry for years helped me understand how the industry really works.

I’ve also been lucky to have friends in the industry who challenge me, support me, and give advice on my ideas. I value honest opinions because they help me grow, and improve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.joandjean.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joandjeanetc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@joandjean
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jo.and.jean

Image Credits

alexisforgyphotography