We recently connected with Jersey Virago and have shared our conversation below.
Jersey , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
The name “Jersey Virago” is deeply personal to me. I was born in New Jersey, and “Jersey” has always been a nickname I’ve identified with. When I started my brand, I knew I wanted to incorporate it somehow. I’ve also always been drawn to words that start with the letter V—they feel strong and intriguing to me. While exploring words in a thesaurus, I came across “Virago” while looking up “vixen,” which is another word I love. The meaning and origin of “Virago” resonated with me so deeply—it symbolizes a powerful, bold woman. I felt like it perfectly captured what I want my designs to embody. When I create, I feel like I’m giving each piece a part of my own “Virago.” That’s how the name came to life.
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’ve wanted to be a fashion designer for as long as I can remember—it’s the only dream I’ve ever had. As a little girl, I would go to thrift stores, pick up fabric and clothes, and rework them into unique pieces. In middle school, a teacher noticed me sketching a dress and helped me turn it into a pattern after school. That was the only formal training I’ve ever had. Over the years, life happened, and I put my dream on hold. But when I became pregnant with my daughter, that spark reignited, and I started my brand, Jersey Virago.
At first, I focused on swimwear and immersed myself in the Seattle fashion scene by doing underground shows and local fashion weeks. Over time, I built a network of private clients and started selling custom pieces. My breakthrough came when I appeared on the reality show OMG Fashun. Through that experience, I connected with stylist Briana Andalore, and since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with stylists and celebrities on exciting projects.
Right now, people can reach out to me for custom pieces or to recreate any of my looks. I’m also focusing on collaborations with stylists and artists, and I love taking on projects that challenge me and spark my creativity. My designs stand out because they’re bold, well-made, and deeply personal—I pour my heart, soul, and energy into every piece I create.
What I’m most proud of is my resilience and how far I’ve come. I’ve built Jersey Virago from the ground up, working entirely out of my garage with no formal training, no team, and no shortcuts. Every step of this journey has been my own—my vision, my hard work, and my determination. When I was a little girl, I said I wanted to be a fashion designer, and even if it took until now for people to recognize me on a national level, I never gave up. That’s what makes Jersey Virago special—it’s not just a brand; it’s a reflection of my story and everything I’ve overcome.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
A funny story about a time I had to pivot happened over 10 years ago. I had made a wrap dress for a collection I was working on, and it was displayed on a mannequin. My son, who was a toddler at the time, got ahold of a pair of scissors and cut a big gash right into the dress. I was in shock and had no idea what to do—I just stared at the ruined dress for a day or two, trying to figure out how to salvage it.
Then it hit me: why not embrace the damage and turn it into a design element? I started cutting and slashing the fabric everywhere, and to my surprise, it created this really cool, textured effect. It completely transformed the piece. I loved the result so much that I refined the process, making intentional cuts in specific places. It became a technique I now use often, and I named it the “Akiva technique” after my son.
That moment taught me how to turn setbacks into opportunities and reminded me that sometimes mistakes can lead to the most creative breakthroughs.
How did you build your audience on social media?
I started building my audience on Instagram, which has been a key platform for connecting with people in the fashion industry. I use my grid as a portfolio, showcasing my best work and accomplishments so that anyone visiting my page can quickly see what I’m about. Hashtags have also been a big part of my strategy—specific ones like #SeattleFashionDesigner help people find me when they’re searching for something particular. It’s not just about posting but being intentional with what you share and how you present yourself.
For TikTok, I got started during COVID when the platform was really taking off. My approach there has been a bit different—I’ve leaned into humor and creativity. I use a method I call “fishing,” where I make different types of videos to see what hits. When one goes viral, I keep building on that trend by creating similar content—switching up the background, song, outfit, or other elements—until the momentum slows down. Then, I start fishing again with new ideas.
TikTok requires you to stay on top of trends and popular sounds, and I’m not afraid to get silly or take risks. For example, I’ve done funny cosplay videos that have gotten over 20 million views. But right after those, I’ll post videos of my fashion designs. The engagement on my fashion content often spikes because the viral, funny videos draw people to my page, and they stick around to see what else I do.
It’s kind of like how musicians make albums—they might create a radio-friendly “bop” to draw in listeners, but once people discover them, they’ll dive deeper into the rest of the music. The same principle applies to social media: nobody will engage with your serious work if they don’t notice you first.
My advice to anyone starting out? Be consistent, experiment to find what works for you, and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Use every opportunity to draw people in, and then let your talent speak for itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jerseyvirago.com
- Instagram: @jerseyvirago
- Youtube: @jerseyvirago
- Other: TikTok- @jerseyvirago
