Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Jones Thomas.
Hi Sarah, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Loving and appreciating all things fashion, art, and architecture from a young age, I attended both The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA (Associate of Arts degree) and the University of North Texas in Denton, TX (Bachelor of Fine Arts degree) studying Fashion Design. I started my first ready-to-wear line, “STATUS” (www.statusdesignstudio.com), in August of 2008 with the traditional business model of wholesaling to specialty boutiques around the country~ eventually being in around 55 “doors”/ boutiques. In 2015, I redirected that business to be direct to consumer, primarily in Dallas. Post-pandemic, in evaluating what parts I loved about my business and what parts I didn’t, I launched “Sarah Jones” ~ Custom collections cut to order and personalized with a personal designer’s touch in October 2021.
This idea of personal design has really resonated and allowed people who aren’t necessarily designers to add their personal preferences, identity, and unique fit into the design process, allowing them to express their most authentic selves through fun wardrobe options. The personal experience is an important aspect of our design experience offerings coming off of online-only, isolated interactions during the pandemic and the years after.
Alright, 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?
When I was wholesaling to boutiques, it was a high-effort and low-reward process. Right around the time when many new technologies “could” change and streamline some of the processes, you also had many “old school” buyers/ store owners that were not interested in doing things any differently than how things had always been done– but then a few were open to it — so your marketing efforts were split between two groups somewhat inefficiently.
My best ready-to-wear season, the fabric was damaged in transit, and they had to salvage what they could and remake the rest– so we cut the same group twice, recalculate every individual order to see who we could make and ship, then had to call all the other stores to push their delivery dates. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions because what started as my “best” season gross, after all the inefficiencies, maybe broke even, and was just so much extra, stressful work.
One benefit of doing the cut-to-order business model for consumers is it allows us to minimize waste, ensuring everything already has a “home” ~ and also allowing our limited-edition fabrics to be available to the most people who love them in their size and perfect style.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Thank you so much for asking. I design with the client and situation or environment in mind. How do you want to look and feel in this environment? What design lines will be most flattering to you to achieve that essence and feeling? I often describe my core look and intention as “effortlessly put together.” My clients are comfortable AND put together at the same time– I make mostly “not-so-basic basics.” Things you’ll wear over and over, paired differently and with different accessories ~ always looking effortlessly chic– not fussy. I love asymmetrical hemlines, as I think they are flattering and interesting and draw your eye along the silhouette versus blocky horizontal lines. We are also known for our fabrics– high quality, interesting textures, and also feel good– things you’d want on your body. A high-quality fabric goes a long way in how it drapes, feels, and looks.
My goal is for my clients to love their wardrobe, always have a “go to” dress or outfit for every occasion that they know looks amazing on them, and can confidently be present at the occasion– not pulling on their outfit or wishing they had chosen something different. That confidence is life-enhancing.
Our collection is pretty vast with that goal in mind– everything from cocktail and special occasion to your (fabulous) everyday wear. We do dresses, separates and even have a faux fur coat and jacket collection. And everything is available cut to order to your unique size and proportions (hello, sleeve lengths and your waist hitting at your waist!). There’s a reason your clothes look so much better when you have them tailored– we are just starting with them fitting you perfectly instead of having to alter them after the fact.
Another point of differentiation is many other “custom” or “cut to order” offerings are usually talking to a sales rep, at best, with good taste to select a few variable choices. Having one-on-one time with me, the designer creating these things, is a unique experience with unlimited potential to how we co-create that people have really gotten excited about.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
People have been trained to go to the stores when they need something, hoping they find something “close enough” to what they want. We’re offering them the opportunity to just make what they want, how they want it– with some designer input to help it be even more amazing that they anticipated– oh, and that fits them, as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahjones.shop/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahjonescollection
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahejones/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarahjonescustom
Image Credits
Thomas Garza
Danny Campbell
Greg Daniels
Toni Sparks
