Heavy on Fashion talks to Jajo Couture

Hello all my divas and gurus! I am so happy to be back to Heavy on Fashion. I am so sorry for the delay but I have a great new interview for you. I had the chance to check out Fashion designer Janean Johnson of JaJo Couture. Check out the innovative and fresh new designs of JaJo Couture. 

Photo courtesy of JaJo Couture

Photographer- Grant Foto
Model-Jessica Garza
Yellow Glasses- Willi Stiles

Heavy on Fashion: When did you realize you wanted to become a fashion designer? What was the first article of clothing you ever designed?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: Well, that’s an interesting question.  I was actually a fashion photographer for several years and I started designing just random stuff to shoot.  I guess you could say I awakened a sleeping dragon.  I didn’t really think I would do much with it just stuff for fun but then I decided maybe it would be fun to explore it.  The next thing I know I’m doing fashion shows, photo shoots and other things and it just kind of happened.

Heavy on Fashion: How did JaJoCouture come to be?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: JaJo Couture started in 2008.  I needed a name for my clothing and I didn’t want to name is Janean Johnson so I shortened my name and it became JaJo.  I am a true Couture designer and everything I do is handmade and custom done by me.  This won’t always be a given but I doubt I will ever completely give up construction and hand work at any point in time.

Photo courtesy of JaJo Couture

Photographer- Grant Foto
Model-Jessica Garza

Heavy on Fashion: What inspires you in design and in Life?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: I am an art child, life in general inspires me.  Fashion is a strong form of art that speaks of our personality and style about who we are.  I can be inspired from a color to a mood and just run with it.  It can be a bit chaotic in my head sometimes with the ideas and things that excite me.

Photo courtesy of JaJo Couture
Credit Melissa Poe
 Photographer Sterling FX Photography

Heavy on Fashion: Tell us about your latest collection?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: Currently the last seasonal collection was the 2012 Fall Collection “Raven’s and Rage” This is a great example of how mood can inspire me.  I was in a pretty bad mood and dark place when I designed this.  It’s a great way to throw negative energy into something positive.  I am in the process of creating mini collections throughout the year, with the ever changing trends, colors not to mention my short attention span; it’s a great way to keep it fresh and constant.  Of course in between I find a fabulous fabric and create something on a whim. I also am known for my collar pieces and recently I created a unique one of a kind line of tie necklace pieces.  They are becoming of interest and I just love ties, I wear them myself and they are a great accessory piece to your wardrobe!

Photo courtesy of JaJo Couture

Model-Brittney Yee
Photographer- Mark Bradley
Hair-Morgan Clark
MUA- JBX Studios

Heavy on Fashion: What matters to you most as a fashion designer?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: As a fashion designer I have to say fit matters the most.  If it doesn’t fit correctly how can you feel great about your style and what you wear?  I always had a problem with length growing up and even now it’s hard to find the proper fit and we all have fit issues of some kind so as a fashion designer fit is the supreme importance. 

Heavy on Fashion: What type of impact are you hoping to make in the fashion industry? In the World?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: In the vast community of fashion designers we are many, I have seen it firsthand just how many there really are.  We are all unique in our style, point of view and creativity.  I hope to at some point be known for my ability to not have one aesthetic and make that acceptable.  To some in the fashion industry having more than one aesthetic can be unacceptable.  I’d like to break that mold and take the signatures I am known for and change their styles back and forth as I do now.  

Photo courtesy of JaJo Couture

Model- Sharia Roberts
Hair- Morgan Clark
MUA- JBX Sudios
Photographer Mark Bradley

Heavy on Fashion: Any upcoming events for Jajo Couture?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: Currently there are not any upcoming events at this time.  That could easily change as it has been a busy year already with LA Fashion Week back in March and also a hair show in Austin, Raw Show back in February and a wonderful charity event I did this past July for the Society of Women who love shoes.  As much as I love shows I limit how many I do a year because of how time consuming and costly they can become but I’m sure more are going to surface soon.

Heavy on Fashion: Where can readers buy your clothes?

Janean Johnson Of Jajo Couture: I can be contacted directly via my website for custom requests and other pieces can be purchased via my Etsy account at http://www.etsy.com/shop/JaJoCouture

I would like to thank Janean Johnson of Jajo Couture for the interview.
You can check out JaJo Couture website at http://www.jajocouture.com/
Twitter -https://twitter.com/jajocouture
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JaJoCouture