Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Cole. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Jennifer Cole
CEO of JennCole Designs Inc. NY/Dallas
Owner of the JennCole Designs Inc. Fashion Label
Founder/Executive Director of JennCole Design School, Inc.
NY/Ghana/Dallas Texas
Phone: 214-484-1374
Email| jenn@jenncole.design
The Designer
Jennifer Cole, better known in the industry as “Jenn Cole,” is a Successful Entrepreneur and Fashion Designer of more than two decades and is no stranger to the world of Bridal Fashion. A Fashion Pioneer, she opened the doors to the first black-owned Bridal Salon and Atelier in her native state of Mississippi, where she also produced Bridal and Fashion Shows. A breath of fresh air in NYC, Jenn honed her craft through study at The Art Institute of New York City, her work at the Historical Library of the Iconic Ralph Lauren, and her work and worldwide travel as a Professional Tailor with Top Hat Imagewear. She now couples her passion for design with her unrivaled ability to create bespoke pieces that bring every bride’s vision to life.
The Brand
In her Debut Collection, Jenn Cole marries fine styling and sleek silhouettes to create a line of ready-to-wear gowns full of feminine flair. Weaving classic and contemporary elements with playful lace and popping accents, she puts a refreshing spin on simplistic designs that flatter brides on their special day. Jenn pampers brides as she partners with them to create a bespoke wedding day look and a service experience fit for royalty.
The Beginning
Jenn Cole’s lifelong dream of becoming a NY fashion designer began when she was a young girl watching her mother sew to care for her and her six siblings. Jenn started sewing at the age of twelve and followed fashion throughout her life. Her first start in this industry was owning an alteration shop, altering everything, including bridal gowns. This led her to open a successful Bridal & Formalwear Design and Tailoring business in Mississippi which she operated and owned for 14 years while raising two young sons. It wasn’t a surprise that soon her ambition outgrew her environment. With her sons off to college, Jenn set out to create the life she always envisioned. Inspired by Coco Chanel and fueled by a determination to live out the dream her mother could not Jenn traded her comfortable life in Mississippi for the dorms of an NYC Fashion School. In 2010, she boarded a plane for the first time and landed in New York with her faith, $3000, and the fortitude to make it. Jenn believes her love for designing makes her good at what she does. For Jenn Cole, designing is not just a job. It is her passion, her calling, her whole life.
New York City
In 2017 Jenn managed to finish her first Bridal Collection. She launched the collection along with her new website in July 2018, www.jenncole.design. In 2019 JennCole Designs was awarded “The Knot Best of Weddings 2020” with “The Knot NY” and has been featured in The Knot NY Wedding Magazine 6 times, 2019/2020. Jenn has been featured by IAW (International Association of Women) and awarded a 2019/2020 Influencer for her business and community. JennCole Designs is also part of one of the biggest bridal showcases in NY, “The Wedding Salon Bridal Showcase,” for New York. She will also be showcasing in Houston with the Wedding Salon Bridal Showcase in February 2023.
Mississippi
2021 took Jenn by a storm emotionally and changed her whole life around. She took the whole year off to be in MS with her mother, Francis White, until she passed on May 24th, 2021. Jenn went back to NY at the end of July but couldn’t take grieving her mom alone, so she decided she didn’t want to be in NY anymore. She packed up and went back to MS to be around family to grieve and get herself together mentally and emotionally. Jenn’s mom was her everything, it’s where she got her sewing from growing up. They shared everything no matter where Jenn was. Jenn stated, “I felt I lost everything by losing my mom and almost gave up on life. I didn’t care anymore, a part of me was gone. I didn’t think I could move forward because no one understood me and what I did better than my mom. Everything I accomplished in life was a part of her and shared with her.”
During this time Jenn was still being recognized for her work and for helping others. In November of 2021, Jenn was nominated for Designer of the Year for the MS Best Award Show 2021. Well, she ended up receiving the highest awards for the show! “The MS Legends Award” and “The Governor’s Choice Award” for her home state of Mississippi. Jenn decided she would rename “JennCole Design School Inc.” to “Francis Price White School of Fashion Design” to honor her mother and leave a legacy in her name. Jenn will start back working on school in January of 2023 giving herself time to finish settling in Dallas.
Dallas Texas
After taking a year off from everything in 2021 due to the passing of her mom, Jenn decided to relocate to Dallas in February 2022 and open a Bridal Salon for JennCole Designs Inc. The Bridal Salon was officially open for business on June 29th, 2022, which was Jenn’s birthday. The Official Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting by Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce was August 18th, 2022 from 10 am-7 pm. It was a huge success being Jenn just moved to Dallas. JennCole Designs Inc. is located at 2201 Midway Road Suite 102
Carrollton, TX 75006
Phone: 214-484-1374, Cell: 929-254-8974
Jenn recently showcased at the Dallas Bridal Show July 30-31, 2022 and will be showcasing again January 28-29, 2023 & July 29-30, 2023.
Dallas Market Hall,
2200 N Stemmons Fwy,
Dallas TX 75207.
Services offered by JennCole Designs Inc.:
Custom wedding gowns
Custom formal gowns/prom gowns
Wedding Alterations Male & Female
Custom Tailoring for male, female, and children’s clothing (business, formal, casual, etc.)
Africa
Jenn Cole is the Founder of “JennCole Design School, Inc” Slogan – “Dream It, Be It” JennCole Design School, Inc. is a Nonprofit Design school for underprivileged/homeless females with talent in sewing/designing/modeling. Jen
These students will be trained in fashion and modeling on an international level, combining African and American fashion to create something unique for the market worldwide. Jenn will mentor them to believe in themselves regardless of their background, color of their skin, or body structure. Teaching them to take their skills and create a business for themselves and become self-sufficient, creating jobs for themselves, their families, their communities, and future generations to come. It is a passion for Jenn to teach and help young women to believe that dreams do come true regardless of the obstacles we face as women of color. We must Dream and Rise above our circumstances and be leaders for future generations.
Please check out the school’s website for more info and see what Jenn has been doing in Ghana already.
Follow JennCole Designs and the school on FB & IG:
FB: JennCole Design School, Inc., and JennCole Designs Inc.
IG: @jenncole_designschool and @jenncole_designs
If you would like to support, we are accepting all sponsors, donations, contributions, etc. You can donate through the website. We are also looking for experienced grant writers. You can email us at jenn@jenncoledesignschool.com
Media Write-Ups and Organizations:
NY/USA
Africa:
https://jenncoledesignschool.
Live Streaming of Launch of JennCole Design School – jenncoledesignschool.com
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Interviews
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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?
It has been challenging over the years, but I never gave up, and I wouldn’t change a thing, good or bad, because it all made me who I am.
Biggest Struggles
1. My biggest struggle was being a single mom with 2 sons and running a full-time business. There wasn’t enough time in the day because both sons played sports, and I had to be there for every game. I had no help from their fathers.
2. Finding the proper help to run my business because people don’t have the same passion as I do.
3. I always felt alone because I did everything myself. My biggest cheerleader was my mom. No one else understood what I was trying to do, so my circle of friends has always been very small.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am the Founder of the JennCole Designs Inc. Fashion Label. I specialize in Custom Wedding Gowns, Custom Formal Gowns, and Bespoke pieces designed from scratch. I also specialize in wedding alterations, regular alterations male/female, custom tailoring male/female, and that’s individual or for big companies. I travel worldwide doing alterations for corporations, not just in the US. Everyone knows me for fashion, alterations, and designing. Everyone knows I am a perfectionist and love what I do. I’ve been in the Bridal & Fashion Industry for 24 years now. I stand out from other Bridal Salons because the bride gets to work one on one with an actual designer; they don’t have to choose off-the-rack gowns. They are able to give me their ideas, and I create their dream dress. They get to pick their own fabric, color, beading, lace, etc. If a bride pic a dress from my collection, they have the option to make changes to the style because my gowns are custom, and changes are made on the cutting table. It doesn’t matter what size or body type a bride is; my gowns are made to their measurements, not just to a size chart, giving her a perfect fit. Most of my customers have no alterations needed because of my measuring system. I work with customers and listen to what they want; it’s never about just making a sale! I consult with them, listen to their ideas, and let them know what style is best for their body type and what fabrics are best; I want them to look and feel their best on their special day!
What does success mean to you?
Success is when you’ve gone as far as you like in your career, and you’re able to help others get to the top of their career by giving back. Reaching down and pulling others to their fullest potential. Being able to inspire and help others.
Contact Info:
- Email: jenn@jenncoledesignschool.com
- Website: www.jenncole.design
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenncole_designs
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050437271771
- Other: www.jenncoledesignschool.com
Image Credits
Tony Ann Taylor, NY Photographer www.justalovestory.com
