Today we’d like to introduce you to Crystal Jenkins.
Hi Crystal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Since 3 yrs. old I was into Art. Once I get my hands on a crayon, marker, or pencil, I would draw on anything in my reach. I knew I would make my mark in the world with art. I would watch the Do IT Yourself shows like Designing on a Dime on HGTV and Martha Steward. The influence from those shows would have me creating pretty things of random objects I would find around the house. My mom saw my interest and would take me to Michaels to get different craft sets to support my creativity. My interest in art led me into my passion of fashion design.
At the age of 9, I learned how to sew by watching my grandma hand sewn shorts out a pair of jeans. Once, I learned how to sew by hand. The first things I made were clothes for my dolls, a small quilt for a doll, kitchen curtains, and eventually clothing for myself. During middle school, I didn’t have access to the trending fashions, so I want to learn how to make my own clothes.
When I was 12 the clothing I made for myself were a tube dress, tube top and a bucket hat I guess you can say I am doing it by scratch because, it wasn’t until I was 13 yrs. when I got my first sewing machine and learned about patterns, which are like the instructions on how to make clothing. The possibilities are endless.
During high school, as I learn more about making clothing, my love for fashion grew. I would draw outfits seen at school and mannequin displays of clothes in different shops in the mall. I would go to the Bull St. Library and put outfits together on this clothing website called wetseal.com, which was a clothing website for teen girls. I developed my own style. I would be able to put a look together with my eyes closed.
I went to college to get my Bachelors in Fine Arts majoring Graphic Design, Towards the end of my Bachelors. I decided to incorporate my love for fashion design in my studies and took a few fabric design courses where I learned ways to combine art and fashion together.
I graduated and turn my love of fashion design into a business in 2015 under the brand name “ Fudashi Collection” at the age of 25.
I thought I knew how to run a business; get an LLC and say open business on social media means that I will have customers.
Boy I was wrong, I had a lot of congrats from my peers and colleagues, but barely any clients
First of all, I didn’t price myself properly, which made it hard for me to go into full-time. At that time, I compared my clothing with the fast fashion stores like Forever 21, Shein, Fashion Nova, and most of the trendy brands at the time.
Honestly, turning my passion into business was difficult because I felt like I was working out of survival mode. I was trying to sell to everybody.
I had no idea of how to promote myself, what my target audience was, or my niche.
I took a step back to do research on the business part of fashion.
I listen to podcasts featuring designers, read books on pattern-making and sewing tips, and watch YouTube videos. I realize I needed to work on the quality of my clothing. There were little things I noticed that skipped that impacted the quality of my clothing.
So, I took a step back from pushing my business into investing time into teaching myself pattern making, got back into painting and creating art.
2020 was a turning point; I focused on putting myself out there. I recognize my weaknesses and work towards fixing them. I start posting videos on my design process and designs on social media.
The more attention I put on practicing my skills, working on my weaknesses, and sharing my talents with others. The more opportunities presented itself. You never know who is watching you and wants to help you.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to work alongside sculptor Jerome B. Meadows as a studio assistant on his recent large-scale public art sculpture “Of Communities And The Land And The Trees That Bear Witness To Them is a large-scale public art project designed and created by artist Jerome B. Meadows acknowledging and honoring the land and history of Savannah, Georgia, specifically the legacy of the African-American communities within the Westside that is located in front of the Enmarket Arena.
During my time as studio assistant, I learn the process of how large-scale sculptures are created, from an idea to a small model to a large sculpture. I shared with Jerome I was still trying to figure out my place with my craft. It was like I knew I what I was doing but little unsure.
Jerome seen I had trouble putting the pieces together and connect me to professional sewist, Barbara Price.
When I met Barbara, I talk to her about the difficulties I had when it came to sewing my garments. She made things clear-cut and simple to understand.
She help me put the missing pieces together when it came to my sewing process.
Her honest critique on my previous garments really got me together and help me see clearly what I’ve missing.
Barbara always stresses to me fit is the most important thing when it comes to making clothing, that what makes custom clothing different from off the rack clothing.
My confidence and clientele grew, I was able to present my designs in more fashion shows. The latest one “Southern Speakeasy Fashion Show” this past October.
Earlier this year, I worked on a film set as a seamstress altering clothing for the film, “Origin” directed by Ava Duvernay. I looking forward to working back on film sets, I really enjoyed it.
Today, I designed clothing in my home studio. Under the alias Vanna Styles V.Styles for Short. I create custom clothing for women and men who want timeless, quality, unique, and well-fitting clothing.
This year, we are providing new services such as one-on-one beginner sewing lessons, Sip-n-Sew Classes, and apparel consulting for people who want to develop their own clothing brands but don’t know where to start. I will be posting the dates for the sewing courses and Sip n Sew on my social media pages in the upcoming weeks.
My goal is design event wear to celebrity clients as well regular clients.
Own brick and mortar upscale bouquet shop that has a sewing studio in Savannah, where I manufacture my clothing in house and sell directly to my clients locally as well clients all over the world.
As well making my mark in the fine art world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I thought I knew how to run a business; get an LLC and say open business on social media means that I will have customers. Easy
Boy I was wrong,
I had a lot of congrats from my peers and colleagues but barely any clients the first year/
I didn’t price myself properly, which made it hard for me to go into full-time.
At that time, I compared my clothing with the fast fashion stores like Forever 21, Shein fashion nova, and most of the trendy brands at the time.
With these struggles, I had to do heavy research on how to run a clothing business effective.
You got to constantly market yourself, have a niche, how to price yourself, keep track of time, and, most importantly, learning to when to say No.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a fashion designer and Visual Artist. I specialize in tailor-made clothing for special occasions, like baby showers, galas, birthdays, etc.
I use all my artistic abilities to bring people’s designer dreams to life. I help bring their vision to life, starting with a sketch, then I create a pattern with their unique measurements, and then I cut and sew it together, and voila, your dream look.
The work I’m proud of today are all the looks I created for the past fashion show, “Southern speakeasy fashion show.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love about Savannah is the Beach, natural outskirts like Skidaway Island, and the nature trails.
I’m a summer baby so I love being next to the water, it just brings me peace. It’s so much you can do out here if you’re an outdoorsy person like me.
What I like least is the exponential raise the rent!!! Unnecessary overbuilding of hotels, “luxury apartments/condos, and towering SCAD buildings. I feel like it’s soooo unnecessary and takes away from our small City beauty. The high prices of housing pushes the people, my peers who are born here, out of the city, farther into the outskirts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vc-designs.square.site/
- Instagram: Designer_v.styles
- Facebook: Crystal V Jenkins
Image Credits
Beyondyouphotography
Kazimir Skye
