Busy Bee: Detroit Garment Group Expands Its Fashion Incubator Offerings To Better Support Detroit’s Fashion Community

We have exciting news! Detroit Garment Group is now servicing a larger segment of Detroit’s fashion community by offering additional services in its year-old fashion incubator based in TechTown in Detroit. The DGG Fashion Incubator was created to assist Detroit’s burgeoning class of fashion professionals with learning how to be successful entrepreneurs while building their fashion collections and is one of many educational programs presented by the five year-old non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate education and economic development opportunities for Michigan's fashion community.

Along with offering office and production space, industrial sewing machines, high-end design technology, a mailing address, and 24-hour access, the incubator, which previously serviced mainly the sewing production needs of fashion designers, has now expanded to include ancillary services that cater not only to fashion designers, but other industry professionals such as photographers, bloggers and fashion reps. New services include a photography and design studio with capabilities for conducting full product and fashion photo shoots, as well as onsite photography editing.

"We're retooling the DGG Fashion Incubator to be more inclusive for fashion professionals," said Lindsey Alexander, Executive Director of Detroit Garment Group. "By adding backdrops for photographers, utilizing the desk space differently and only keeping the sewing machines used most, we are able to welcome many different fashion professionals into our space, and create an opportunity for better networking and potential collaborations within the community."

DGG is now accepting new incubator residents, along with hourly, half day and full day studio rentals to utilize either the industrial sewing machines or photography equipment. To learn more about the incubator and other programs such DGG’s annual FashionSpeak conference or Industrial Sewing Certificate Program, contact Lindsey Alexander at lindsey@detroitgarmentgroup.org.

Local Designer Series: Accounting and Finance Major Takes a Risk into the World of Design

Local designer started school looking to pursue a career in the world of finance, but working in retail ignited her love of clothing and her desire to create. Once she started her family, she decided that she needed to work at her dream job to take it to the next level. And, she is doing just that.

DGG: Tell us about yourself, Jesse.

Jesse Harrell: Born and raised in Detroit, I am a self taught designer and mother of a 4-year-old son. I first fell in love with fashion while attending Oakland University where I was pursuing a degree in Accounting and Finance. After obtaining a seasonal employee position at a popular retail store in the area, it was there where I discovered my true love for fashion. After changing schools and changing majors I received some classical training at Wayne State University, however, I became a mom early in my studies, propelling me to continue to build my skills and techniques on my own while raising my son full time.

DGG: Tell us about the Jesse Jane, LLC.

JH: Styles by Jesse Jane LLC, was created based off the demand for women who wanted to look edgy, yet sophisticated. For women who love fashion and adore the clothing that comes the runways each season, but lives a real life and needs a wardrobe that can fit her lifestyle. For the woman who wants clothing designed specifically for her. This is why a big part of this business is Styling Services for our JANES.

Some of the services that Jesse Jane provides are:

-“JANE on the Go” Pieces 

These are the One of a Kind Ready to Wear Pieces that are always available to sell. These “Jane on the Go” pieces range from XS-XXL for women. These pieces are one-of-a kind pieces, meaning no two garments are ever the same. We believe in standing out and being unique, so having two “JANE’s” in the same outfit could be never logical in our world. These pieces are constructed by hand from pattern drafting to the actual construction and even fabric manipulation by Jesse Jane herself. Couture Edgy Ready to Wear Clothing.

-Styling Services

Custom Orders: These are garments that are specific for a certain occasion.

Personal Styling for JANES: This is when a client decides she wants to become a “JANE”. When speaking on “JANE “Status, she receives the following accommodations.

~ Email updates of upcoming events, new arrivals, and special offers.

~A mini collection for both Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer of 5-7 pieces will be constructed and designed around the lifestyle of the JANE and mixed with the aesthetic of Jesse Jane. The collections will be specifically and exclusively designed for the Jane in question.  The Jane will be allowed to select 5 out of the 7 pieces per collection and allowed to purchase other garments if desired.

DGG: What is the Jesse Jane, LLC design aesthetic?

JH: The aesthetic behind Jesse Jane is edgy yet sophisticated, very graphic in color and technique yet very classic in silhouette. So, yes you may see a hand painted graffiti inspired shirt but the shape is very classic and able to wear with a pair of jeans or with a nice blazer and to the office. Here at Styles by Jesse Jane we are more concerned with building you a wardrobe instead of just one custom pieces; the quality of our JANES and not necessarily the quantity of JANES is our biggest concern.

DGG: What are your goals for Jesse Jane, LLC over the next year working at DGG's Fashion Incubator?

JH: While working at the Incubator I plan to continue to learn and grow my business, continue to build my clientele, and with the help of the DGG it will have me ready for the next level, which will be opening up my own showroom in the heart of the city.

DGG: What has been the best and worst advice you have received since starting your company?

JH: The best advice I have ever received when it comes to not only being a designer but by being an entrepreneurs is to always stay true to your designs and vision, and nothing great happens overnight. Worst Advice that I have received was that it would be easy.

DGG: What has been one hardship you have overcome since starting your line?

JH: A hardship that I had to overcome was finding out exactly how I wanted present myself and the present my brand.

DGG: If you could dress anyone in your collection, who would it be and why? 

JH: I can not wait for the day where I can dress Kelly Osbourne in some of my clothes. I love her style, and I truly believe that she embodies everything that a JANE.

DGG: Describe your style.

JH: My style is very edgy yet classy. On any given day you can catch me wearing my black leather riding boots, my Jesse Jane slim fit pants, and black and white studded Jesse Jane top, paired with jewelry, a pop of color on the lip and my leather and denim jacket, and some sort of caffeine in my hand. Black is my happy color, and I wear it very often

DGG: How do you take your coffee?

JH: I start every day with a freshly brewed cup of Starbucks Veranda mixed with caramel cream, sugar, and if it’s a special day a dollop of whip cream.

DGG: Altuzarra or 3.1 Phillip Lim?

JH: Altuzarra hands down, I love the edgy yet classy side to the pieces. From the color pallets to the way the clothes sit on the models I am such a huge fan.

DGG: Simple or statement necklaces?

JH: Every woman should have a combination of both in their collection. I have pieces as simple as a necklace with just a chain and the evil eye on it, to pieces that I get custom made from a local jewelry designer, Bonnie's Boutiques, for my runway pieces.

Extra, Extra: Cass Tech Graduate to Compete on Project Runway

Image from mylifetime.com

Another Detroit-native has landed a spot on the nation's most watched fashion reality show. Laurie Underwood, Cass Tech Graduate, will be on Lifetime's Project Runway, Cycle 14. If you don't know who Laurie Underwood, we'll give you the run down.

Laurie is 29 years old and currently resides in Chicago, IL. In 2006, she won the Best in Show award in the Illinois of Art 2006 Graduate Portfolio Show. During her senor thesis class, she had to create a thesis collection, and that's where she realized her potential because a few classmates and instructors doubted her ability to finish the collection on time. She decided to buckle down, and worry only about the design process and not how the collection was going to turn out. Her laser focus helped her to create a women's ready-to-wear collection that would blow everyone's minds, and help Laurie to realize she really could be the designer she always dreamed of becoming. Since then, Laurie has started her own clothing line Wanda Grace that is a full line of chic, fun and flirty ready to wear pieces for women; the collection is bold in color and diverse in fabrics.

The season premiere of Project Runway Season 14 is Thursday, August 6. For more information about the show and other contestants, head over to Project Runway; and for more information about Laurie, check out her stuff on Wanda Grace. Good luck, Laurie!

A Letter from DGG’s President: What Will Detroit’s Garment District Really Be Like?

By Karen Buscemi

If you haven’t heard the news, DGG’s plan for a garment district is underway. With great partners including the city of Detroit, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Governor’s Office, and roughly 30 companies to date that would like to reside there, there’s no way this project won’t succeed.

But you may be wondering, what will it really be like?

Here’s what we are planning:

• It will finally provide a space for our fashion community to reside so we can have power in numbers and be more easily recognizable on a national level.
• It will have levels of rent that will increase as your company grows – without pricing you out of the district – including shared space opportunities, so it’s affordable for all businesses.
• It will eventually have all the types of businesses you would find in New York’s Garment District, such as fabric and accessory stores, cut and sew manufacturers and pattern makers, but at an appropriate scale for our community.
• It will allow for convenient collaboration amongst our fashion community.
• It will be the location of DGG’s Fashion Incubator, which will also have an education room that will be open to the public to learn the business of fashion. We will also have a program in place that will allow fashion designers to come in and utilize our industrial sewing machines and high-end pattern-making/grading/design software.
• It will be marketed as a tourist destination, so people outside the state will have an opportunity to shop our local designers and retailers.
• It will host regular sample sales to bring metro Detroiters into the district for shopping and familiarizing themselves with our local designers.
• It will include outreach to editors of national publications, bloggers and buyers.

If you want to be part of all this, whether that’s six months from now or two months from now, we ask that you fill out a questionnaire so we can understand the needs of the fashion community and plan accordingly. The questionnaire in no way commits you to space, rather it lets us know who you are, what you are doing, and the amount of space, parking and any special requirements you may need.

We would like to have all questionnaires submitted by May 8, 2015 so we can stay on track, find the location in Detroit that best suits the garment district and make a deal on the real estate, so we can start developing the space.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I’m always happy to talk about the district, along with any other programming we provide.

Keep Michigan Talent in Michigan!

A Letter From DGG’s President: Want To Become a Household Name? Start With This Simple Plan

By Karen Buscemi

If you are a serious fashion designer (or fashion photographer, wardrobe stylist, etc.) with intentions to one day have a well-known brand, yet the only people currently aware you have a product or service are your parents and close circle of friends, you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you.

While Rome wasn’t built in a day – and neither is your fashion brand – you can build your audience daily by applying these four simple strategies:

1. Get a Professional Business Card
Even in this digital world, business cards are still exchanged all day every day. If you want to be viewed as a professional, if you want to be remembered, if you want people to have easy access to your phone number, email and website (because you have a functioning, easy to view website, right?) you need a business card. A professional business card. Not one you printed out on perforated card stock from Office Depot. Business cards are quite inexpensive and there are tons of graphic designers/firms to whip up a beauty of a business card, plus online options that provide hard to mess up templates for the DIY-er. Make sure the font is large enough to be read by all the aging eyes out there (I may be a little sensitive about that one), the design is simple and clean, and you have proofread EVERYTHING. No typos are ever allowed on your marketing materials.

2. Create a Social Media Presence
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are all crucial to building your brand. But just creating a Facebook page or Twitter handle or Instagram account isn’t enough. You have to populate it. With stuff. Good stuff. Stuff that makes readers want to read your stuff. And it shouldn’t be all about your dog. Or your daily meal. People want to see what you are creating. And your creative process. And what inspires you. And what’s important to you (keep your political views and anything else controversial off your professional pages, please). You must update regularly. That doesn’t have to mean every day. But at least three times a week. It takes a long time to grow your social media presence, but if you stick with it, it will indeed grow. Be sure to follow others, and like and comment positively on their posts (but not in a stalker-ish way). One personal gripe here: List clearly what it is that you do/make and how to reach you on your social media pages. A cutesy or vague statement that leaves editors, buyers and customers confused is a very bad idea.

3. Network, Network, Network
I don’t particularly love networking, but I can tell you this: Every time I go to an event, I ALWAYS meet at least one person who can help my organization in some way. Every. Single. Time. So I mingle, talk and share. And I don’t make it one-sided, either. I listen to what others have to say and actively try to help them, too, if I am able. Take your schmancy new business cards, clean yourself up nice and get out there. If you don’t have an elevator pitch about your company, now is the time to create one. All you need is one to two sentences that clearly and easily defines what you are doing and why. Memorize it and share it with everyone you meet.

4. Volunteer or Join a Committee
It’s easy to stay within the confines of our comfort zones (Game of Thrones marathon, anyone?), but if you want people to learn about what you do and potentially become your next customers, you’ve got to spread your wings outside your job, friends, family and smart phone and insert yourself into groups and events that align with your talents and abilities. In addition to giving back to your community – which is just a darn good feeling – you’ll also get your brand out there. You can get your company name on programs, websites, signage, social media and more. There are all sorts of opportunities that nonprofits will provide in return for your time and energy. And of course the group you are working with will become familiar with your brand during the course of your time working together. It’s a win-win.