preston@swaggerlifestyle.com

Jaclyne Brander

 

1. Tell us a little about Fred Segal.

We opened 25 years ago in Santa Monica! Our building was actually the ice skating rink that Rocky took Adrienne on their first date! We are a building of separate owned businesses under a common roof

2. What inspired you to get into fashion?

I’ve always been into clothing, my parents influenced me. My father and stepmother were very successful manufacturers. My brothers were in the biz, my uncle, and I actually worked in it since I was 15 years old.

Its in my blood, I Love it

3. How long have you been involved in this industry?

Since i was 15! I worked in retail, then downtown in a buying office, then I worked in design for ABS, then Fred called me and the rest is history!

4. How do you stay passionate about your work after all those years?

Fashion is always about whats next…Im constantly seeking out the new and if i cant find it i create it…I love transforming people as well…people saying to me, “I would have never tried that, but i love it” is one of my personal highs!

5. When did you first fall in love with fashion?

As a kid

6. Describe some of your daily tasks at Fred Segal.

I do a little of everything. I buy most of the time. I have up to 200 vendors a season to work with, that takes up a  lot of time. I work on the floor merchandising sometimes, help the people! Sometimes Im in t the back ticketing…Sometimes im filming shows or doing interviews, (like right now!) .I do a Fred Segal Fun shop in Sundance, and im working on that right now as well.

7. How do you feel about what you do now on an every day basis compared to the first day of your career?

I wake up before the sun ready to go. I love what i do and it never bores me. The first day I had the element of excitement and that really has not waned.  I always want to know what the next hot thing is, i want it for me and i want it for the store, I want it for my Disney Vintage Line, and I want it for my consulting. I love doing a lot at once! When i have a lot on my plate, they all go great.!

8. How did you get involved with creating a clothing line for Disney characters?

One of the Disney heads came to my store and talked to me in person after not getting me on the phone for months, (yeah, im that girl!) I agreed to go down to the Disney archives and pull art work and we started printing on clothes in my shop…we sold it out time after time which lead to me starting the line and manufacturing it.

9. How different (or difficult) was it to create a clothing line for Disney characters as opposed to your regular shoppers?

My hardest challenge was making the clothing edgy…some celebs helped tho,  Carrie had her vintage mickey teee on in Sex and the City….we sold thousands of units! Lenny Kravitz  helped me sell a ton of Mickey tee’s as well..

The line was the same mood as my store….advanced cool cute and the “i gotta have it” factor!

10. What skills do you need to become a fashion designer?

You need the eye. I dont know if this is something that can be taught. You need to have an amazing sense of timing as well. You need to pay attention to what your demographic will buy.

11. What inspires your designs?

Every aspect of my life…there are a million times where i think ive invented something, only to find out someone else did too!

Influences are everywhere,  when you are a creative person, you pick up on things without thought

12. What advice do you have for a young person who wishes to become a fashion designer?

Pay attention to who you want to appeal to. Keep a muse in your head as you design and stay on track

13. Of all the charity work you participate in, which do you find is nearest and dearest to your heart and why?

Children Uniting Nations.  I just did an event last month for 1100 foster kids. I spoiled them rotton! I got my vendors to donate and I gave it all away.  I had over 5000 units it was amazing.

Then at Christmas we had 70 more come to the store and gave them Santa, and a big bag of goodies!

Kids are my weakness. We owe it to the children to help them. Its what we are meant to do.

14. If you possessed the skills to be successful at any other job or career in the world, what would it be.

I would still be in fashion….is there such a thing as the President of the United Fashion Industry?