Today we’d like to introduce you to Justice Cole.
Justice, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a small-town girl from Mississippi. I have always been very passionate about fashion and creating. It has always been in me. My mother is a seamstress/crafter, her mother is a seamstress, her mother was a seamstress, and many generations of women before us. It is a generational gift that I wish to pass on to my future daughter one day. With the successes this gift has brought me, people who knew me before I began designing come to me and say “I didn’t know you were into fashion and design”. The truth is, I’ve always known what I was passionate about. I was just afraid that pursuing fashion and design would not make me any real money. I didn’t take it seriously as a career. In my first two years of college, I changed majors multiple times. As cliche’ as this sounds, it was because none of the “money-making” careers I chose for myself were fulfilling me. I always felt incomplete and uninterested in studying other majors. I was really lost in college. I didn’t know my purpose or who I was. I remember praying to God, asking Him to just let me make my parents proud. During my first couple of years, I found God for myself. I have always been a churchgoer, all of my life, but that’s easy to say when you are living with your parents. It’s when you are away from home and have no one to make you be active is where the real test of faith is.
After I began studying God’s word and going to church on my own, things began to become more clear in my journey. Things definitely got worse before they got better. I was so uninterested in the majors I was choosing that my grades were failing and I was placed on academic suspension at my then college. More frustration was added to my plate. God ensured me this was all for a reason. So, even though I could not see the end, I held on. In 2016, I took a trip to Texas. It was my first time ever being in this wonderful state. At that moment, I knew this is where I was supposed to be in this season of my life. I cannot explain it, I just knew. After my trip, I went back home, suspended from college, but determined. I worked, worked, worked my butt off at a call center I was working at. I saved up $1100 and moved to Dallas, Texas about 3-4 months after my trip. I know this move was destined because I have not lacked, went without, nor struggled with ANYTHING since I have been here. Opportunities began coming my way from left to right. Everything I touched manifested. I did not finish college at my prior school.
After moving to Texas, I finished my degree at The Art Institute of Dallas. I was 20 years old when I moved. I was really young and life was still teaching me, but I was built for it. In 2017, I got the opportunity to work closely with a profound fashion stylist who is now a great mentor of mine, J. Bolin. He taught me so much. I learned so many valuable lessons with his agency. I’ve had the opportunity to work on big projects with the most talented creatives, my work was once featured on “Good Morning Texas”, my work is featured in many fashion shows, I’ve met so many truly wonderful and gifted people, and my clientele continues to grow. I am truly grateful.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Let me just say, being a fashion designer or a seamstress is not an easy task. Being an entrepreneur is NOT an easy task. People will look at you and think, “Oh, she can do it, let me just go start sewing” No, my friend. I am forever a student to the fashion gods. There is so much knowledge out there. Being in the fashion industry has taught me quite a few things. The competition is crazy! People say the rudest things. You really have to have tough skin. That is something I had to develop because I am naturally so sweet and nice to everyone I meet. People would take that as me being weak and would try to manipulate me. Most people do not want to hear what I have to say or give me a chance. I began at 20 years old, and I am now 23, so I’m still in my early twenties. It’s hard to develop a voice for yourself at this age because of the pre-developed stereotype of people my age. Big names in the fashion industry do not want to give you a chance, you really have to work and fight for a spot. Consistency wins every time.
Comparison was also a big thing for me, there are so many great designers who I know are more developed me, it was difficult to not beat myself up about it, and know that everyone has their strengths and weaknesses and that everyone has their season. I can’t be jealous hearted because it’s this other designer’s season to shine, because I know my season is right around the corner.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I am a custom fashion designer, seamstress, and tailor. I cater to both women and men, but I specialize in womenswear. My favorite style of clothing to design for women is very classy and elegant, but sexy. I design for the woman who is fancy, sophisticated, who gets a lot of compliments and questions about her attire, she can walk into a room turn every single head, and own it! She knows her worth and she knows she looks good! The type of man I design for is chill, casual but can outdo himself from time to time, he has a great sense of style, he looks good, he’s confident, he’s never slacking when he steps out, he shines, he’s stylish, he’s dominant, and his style is very unique. The beauty of my work is even if you are dirt poor, you will look rich in my custom attire. I mix great quality fabrics and well-thought-out designs to create masterpieces.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
Women are so powerful. Living in a man’s world it does not always seem that way. I don’t think there are particular opportunities for women because statistics show women obtain the strength, power, and knowledge to reign supreme in any given field. Personally, I think anyone (both women and men) can go into a situation and create a table for themselves in the face of opposition.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://justicecole36.wixsite.com/mysite-1
- Phone: 469-724-6176
- Email: justicecole36@yahoo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imjusticecole/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justicecolecreates/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Image Credit:
Marcus Owens and @rothepro
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