We recently connected with Jessica Louise and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

In the world of design, success is a highly individualized concept, deeply rooted in one’s personal perspective. Personally, success has always meant the ability to sustain myself as a working artist. It’s been quite a journey since I first embarked on this path in 2004, when I started my brand sewing everything in my living room. Those early days were all about creating one-of-a-kind pieces from upcycled materials, and then venturing to sell them on consignment to various local shops scattered across Los Angeles and the Bay Area. I eventually expanded my reach, wholesaling my creations nationwide, and internationally.

Throughout my career, I’ve encountered countless ups and downs; the creative landscape is never a straight, predictable path. However, my key takeaway is that I’m still here today, continuing to design with my heart at the forefront. My commitment to offering personalized services that truly resonate with my clientele on a deep, personal level has been unwavering.  I’ve managed to maintain my artistic integrity and ideals without compromise, all while making a sustainable living as a working artist. This journey has reinforced the idea that success, in the world of design, is not a fixed point but rather a fluid and evolving pursuit.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a fashion designer, my journey began in my hometown town Santa Cruz, California. Raised by a single mother, I was fortunate to be surrounded by a supportive community of my mother’s friends who played a pivotal role in shaping both my creative spirit and my character. My mother, an art education professor and lifelong professional artist, instilled in me the importance of expressing myself creatively. She always gave me carte blanche to explore various artistic mediums, from printmaking and photography to illustration and textile arts, etc.

The true catalyst for my fascination with fashion came courtesy of my beloved godmother, Ann Comiskey. Ann introduced me to the world of couture and the fashion industry at large. She owned and operated a small women’s wear line in the 80s named Mata Hari, and it was through her that I realized fashion design could be a viable career path.

While I had always made clothing for myself and had a distinct personal style, I didn’t truly dive into designing clothing as a “job” until I was around 27 or 28 years old.

My early collections were made using upcycled materials, predominantly featuring one-of-a-kind pieces. I distributed my creations on consignment to independent boutiques around Los Angeles and Northern California. About a year into my new venue serendipity struck when one day, a piece from one of my San Francisco shops caught the eye of a fellow designer. She wore my design into her showroom in Los Angeles, and shortly thereafter, I received a call from her rep Missy Arko, who at the time owned the Fille Showroom in the Cooper Building in DTLA.

Meeting with Missy led to designing a small collection for her showroom.
This connection marked a transformative turning point for my brand, expanding its reach significantly. My initial orders, including ones from Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, and many more. I sewed by hand myself the majority of my early orders. In retrospect that was a little crazy. However, being mostly self-taught, the journey of learning about production was my next challenge. I owe a great deal of gratitude to Missy for taking a chance on an unknown designer and helping me elevate my business to the next level.

From there, my brand blossomed, and I established an online store, offering wholesale worldwide. I found my niche in markets not only across the US but also in Canada, Japan, Australia, and beyond. I even ventured into licensing collections with a major retailer, seeing my brand featured in over 700 stores almost overnight. Another standout moment in my career was creating a collection of branded Halloween costumes, where I had complete creative control, from designing the packaging to directing the images, collaborating with my favorite models and photographer at the time, Michelle X Star. This project was a career highlight. Even though the costumes landed at the height of recession and sales were lower than expected it’s one of my favorite projects I’ve done.

I decided to embark on a new challenge in 2018: learning menswear. I pursued formal training at LATTC to earn my certification as a tailor, a journey that spanned five years, including practical training. My educational goals were twofold: to bring more intricate pattern making and tailored styles to my brand and to become a member of IATSE 705 as a Men’s Custom Made Tailor. I’m proud to say I’ve achieved both of these goals.

In addition to designing and producing for my brand, I am a certified tailor and a proud member of IATSE 705, taking on select freelance design projects for private clients and providing private tailoring services. You can explore a diverse selection of these projects on my website in the freelance design gallery.

The art of tailoring has been a beautiful addition to my skill set, and completing my educational goal was a significant personal gift. It serves as a reminder that you’re never too old to expand your knowledge and embrace new challenges.
What I consider my greatest source of pride in my career is my unwavering passion for sewing and creating, even during the most challenging periods.

Equally, I’m profoundly grateful for the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of creating clothing for over the years. My clients have been wonderfully supportive, and I will forever be thankful for their unwavering support.

I’d also like to extend my gratitude to anyone who has ever supported an independent designer. Your choices have a direct and positive impact on our lives, enabling us to pursue our life’s passion and sustain ourselves. Whether you opt for custom-made pieces or support smaller brands and individuals, you are making a difference in someone’s life, and for that, I am truly grateful.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Coming from a background in high-end retail sales, I’ve always placed a strong emphasis on building meaningful client relationships. Even in environments where commissions were at play, I never adopted a hard-sell approach. Instead, my primary goal was to truly understand my clients’ needs and ensure I selected styles that not only flattered their unique body shapes but also resonated with their personal style.

In my perspective, a fundamental aspect of the fashion industry, whether you’re creating or selling, revolves around the ultimate objective of making clients feel beautiful and confident in what they’re wearing. It’s not merely about the transaction but the transformation in how a person feels when they put on a well-chosen piece.

To reinforce this philosophy, I’ve incorporated some personal touches into my business practices. For every order I receive, I include a handwritten note and a small gift as a token of appreciation. I firmly believe that these gestures go a long way in strengthening the connection between my brand and my clients.

Moreover, I offer customizations on every garment I cut and sew at no additional charge. This ensures that every piece is tailored to suit the individual preferences and unique needs of each client. It’s about making fashion a personal and empowering experience.

In fact, many of my long-term clients have my personal contact information, including my cell phone number. This accessibility is a testament to the level of trust and rapport I aim to establish with those who choose my designs. It’s all part of creating a fashion experience that’s not only about looking great but also feeling great, both inside and out.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

NFT’s remind me of the MonaVie pyramid scheme.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jessicalouise.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalouiseclothing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicalouise101/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/jlbeaverton/ https://sundogtailoring.com/

Image Credits
All images Shop by Jessica Louise Imagery www.jessicalouiseimagery.com aside from Pink, Willow Corey Hart image courtesy Pink Instagram