Today we’d like to introduce you to Jujuan Lewis.
Hi Jujuan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Fashion has not always been a passion of mine. I just always wanted to dress differently, but due to my situation growing up, I would often get teased about my clothing and what I had on, which made me insecure about myself. Growing up in Chattanooga, TN, there was never a way to find a passion. So of course, I went the way any other kid would go, to college. This would lead me to the normal path of getting a job and just focusing on money to obtain the things I once got teased about. I realized I needed to do more, and it all started from my need to self-express myself while I was going through post-graduate depression.
About six months after I graduated, I noticed the need to stray away from the path that everyone had told me to go. A regular job wasn’t enough. I needed to be creative, and along with that came my passion for representing underrepresented communities. The passion to serve my community has always been there but to do it in a creative aspect was a must. As these thoughts came to me in the later half of 2019, I took a year and a half to research, learn and create quality high fashion designs and recently launched on February 1st, 2021. Not only was my company created to represent underrepresented communities but to also to inspire young kids to create and self-express no matter the circumstances.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Throughout this journey, the lack of resources and knowledge has been the hardest part. In the luxury fashion industry, the competition is very competitive and for a minority who has not done anything in this industry, it was very difficult. Financially, it’s draining, and the number of hours learning how to design, draw, and the measure took the priority some nights. Finding manufacturers and working through the mistakes also took a toll throughout the process, along with having a normal job. Even the sacrifice to continue to find joy in the moment’s when there is no return was just another aspect of the process and when the pandemic struck, it became even more difficult. I can say the process defined what kind of designer I was. When you want to truly express yourself, the quality is very important, so I knew this was a must.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a luxury fashion designer and writer who specializes in creative aspects. I own a company called Arius Juan. Arius Juan was created to address the outward expression of people who feel they do not fit in. Inspired by two kids who didn’t grow up with fashionable items which quickly found themselves to be “underrepresented,” we are striving to represent that group of people all around the world and challenge them to create no matter the circumstances. As a fashion company, we aim to address the uniqueness of being authentic. Every item is self-expression crafted to signify the creative aspects in the world.
No matter the situation, we motivate everyone to think out of the box and produce forms of art. I am most proud of my company because we continue to think outside the box to inspire others to do the same. Being a business owner is one thing, but to influence several people (Hopefully a generation in the future), is by far the most exciting part. What separates me apart from others is the uniqueness of my designs. Every design is curated from a creative concept. For example, Collection 1: Dream was curated and as a need for self-expression and understanding of periods ranging from the 1800s to 2021. Arius Juan has true significance in the world, and we continue to advocate for individuals who feel like they don’t have a place in society.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
The most surprising thing people often overlook or don’t know about my brand is our dedication to giving back to underrepresented communities. Our branch SCBA (Sustainable Creativity Becomes Art) is dedicated to philanthropy and will be launching soon. Even though we just started, our company will dedicate time and resources to communities soon because I was once one of those kids who dreamed of this day to create and inspire.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@ariusjuan.com
- Website: ariusjuan.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariusjuan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariusjuan
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/AriusJuan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7XBAOVWe3RWClW_wejhSjQ
