Brand Orgin Story
My love for sewing began at the age of ten when I was a Girl Scout making an apron for my mom. Seeing her wear it so proudly in the kitchen filled me with indescribable joy—it was the first time I realized that clothing could bring people happiness, confidence, and purpose. That Christmas, I received my first sewing machine and began experimenting by merging old garments into new creations. Denim quickly became my favorite material to repurpose, sparking a lifelong fascination with transformation through fabric.
Soon after, I enrolled in sewing classes at Hancock Fabrics, where I learned to read patterns and refine my technical skills. A summer program before high school expanded my understanding of fashion through color stories, trend forecasting, hand illustration, and technical design. By high school, I was altering uniforms and designing custom pieces for close friends and family—discovering the joy of making others feel seen through what they wear.
I later studied Fashion Merchandising with an emphasis in Apparel Design at Georgia Southern University, where I honed my craft in garment construction, patternmaking, and design theory. During this time, I offered menswear alterations and designed costumes for other students. In 2015, I produced my first fashion show in Atlanta—marking the official beginning of my journey as a designer.
After graduating in 2018, I interned with a start-up brand and learned the business side of fashion, from developing prototypes to participating in brand meetings. Today, I serve as an Assistant Designer at Soft Surroundings while continuing to grow my own brand. Over the past five years, I’ve showcased seven collections across Atlanta, St. Louis, San Antonio, and New York City—each one rooted in creativity, storytelling, and the belief that fashion should always make people feel something.
What jclarke stands for
JClarke stands for the belief that fashion is wearable art—a form of self-expression that tells a story and connects people on a deeper level. My brand challenges the fast-paced, disposable nature of modern fashion by emphasizing craftsmanship, sustainability, and emotional value. I am committed to creating pieces that are timeless, meaningful, and crafted with intention.
What sets JClarke apart is my personal and hands-on approach to every aspect of design. I am the sole creator behind each garment—sourcing and dyeing fabrics, developing patterns, draping, and designing every piece from the first sketch to the final stitch. Each collection is concepted, colored, and constructed by me, ensuring that no detail is overlooked and every design carries my artistic signature.
I draw inspiration from timeless silhouettes, merging them with imaginative craftsmanship and storytelling that often reflect my faith and personal experiences. These themes serve as the foundation of my creative process, giving each collection a distinct narrative that connects beauty, purpose, and spirituality.
I believe that when people understand the time, effort, and heart that goes into making a garment, they are more likely to cherish it for years—perhaps even a lifetime. My mission is to create clothing that people not only wear but feel—pieces that inspire confidence, evoke emotion, and remind us that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible.
Through real craftsmanship and meaningful design, I want every JClarke garment to feel like art you can live in and love for a lifetime.
design career to date
I began taking sewing lessons between the ages of 10 and 16, learning to read patterns and certain techniques before pursuing a degree in Fashion Merchandising with an emphasis in Apparel Design at Georgia Southern University. There, I developed strong skills in garment construction, patternmaking, and trend forecasting while offering alterations, designing costumes, and producing my first fashion show in Atlanta in 2015—marking the start of my design career.
After graduating in 2018, I worked as a Sales Associate at Banana Republic, where I honed customer service and visual merchandising skills by styling mannequins and promoting new product. I later interned with Tokyo White Intl. (2020–2021), assisting with CAD illustrations, prototype fittings, and tech pack assembly for overseas production. This experience strengthened my technical expertise and deepened my understanding of global manufacturing. From 2021 to 2023, I showcased several independent collections through Atlanta-based runway shows, including the Atlanta Art Awards, where I created designs that reflected my signature style—romantic, imaginative, and detail-driven. In 2023, my Frida Kahlo–inspired collection at The Burgahlie Resort Show earned third place and funded advanced sewing education.
Professionally, I joined Soft Surroundings as an Assistant Jacket Designer (2023–2024), where I approved lab dips, conducted market research, and supported seasonal concept development. In 2024, I advanced to Assistant Designer for knit tops, sleep & lounge, contributing to measurable results including an 8% increase in paginated performance versus plan, a 19% reduction in bomb rates, and the adoption of AI-driven concepts for the Winter ’25 line. Alongside my corporate experience, I continue to grow my sustainable fashion brand, JClarke, which has been showcased in Atlanta, St. Louis, San Antonio, and New York City. Highlights include Texas Fashion Week (2024) and Runway 7 New York Fashion Week (2025), where my Alice in Wonderland–inspired collection was featured in MadameNoire for its creativity, narrative depth, and eco-conscious storytelling.
