Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Stocking.
Hi Jasmine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I began sewing at the early age of 11 years old after a fellow church member donated a sewing machine to me. I began sewing using my mother’s old curtains and bedding. My first major project was my high school homecoming look in my senior year in 2008. I called it a bubble dress because it resembled just that. A bubble dress designed and created with my mom’s luxurious, burgundy, iridescent curtains.
For me, that meant all my mom would have to come out of pocket for was accessories and shoes. From an early age, I was never into spending tons of money because I knew a lot of what my mom did for me was a sacrifice. Even with that, there is never a time I can recall going without. When senior prom came around I designed my prom dress centered around an Egyptian theme. Again saving money, but feeling and looking like a million bucks. I was the only one in the room with a dress as such and that was a win for me.
Going on to college at the University of Missouri Columbia, I changed my major several times before accepting my passion truly was in fashion design. There, I was able to join several fashion groups, compete in shows, and take home a couple of scholarships and recognitions. These are the moments that motivated me to continue my studies in fashion.
Since then, I have presented collections in several fashion shows in St. Louis and the Columbia, Missouri area. For several years, I have serviced clients designing for them custom looks. I have also released designs available for purchase online. What for me was a skill to save money has now become the very gift I use to make a living. It is my hope to inspire others through my platform of the Anomaly Fashion Show.
It is my hope to not only gain more exposure for my brand Designs By J. Stocking but to also shed light on other artists and designers like myself. Just eleven years ago, I had a sold-out fashion show in the middle of Jamestown Mall with 200 guests. Now, I am working toward having my second sold-out Anomaly Fashion Show!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the obstacles and challenges I have faced were losing sight of my vision for my brand and idea of fashion design, fast-fashion competition, and creators block.
When I say an obstacle was me losing sight of my vision for my brand and my idea of fashion design, here is what I mean. Sometimes when you have a gift or skill you can be swayed into doing things or creating things you didn’t really have the desire to do. For me, my focus shifted to getting the money. I needed the money, so I was willing to recreate looks and knockoff designs as requested. I’d even find myself doing more crafty projects vs fashion design projects. Over time, it made me feel a bit burned out.
There wasn’t much time for me to be creative or design for Designs By J. Stocking. It got to the point I didn’t even know what a Design By J. Stocking looked like anymore. I didn’t even know how to describe its look or the brand. Now that I have begun to work full-time for a production company here in St. Louis, I am able to take advantage of the financial security, while reinventing what Designs By J. Stocking is to me. I have the capacity to now design what I would like. Looks that are exclusive to Designs By J. Stocking, that are classy and sophisticated. Looks that give our wearers a boost of confidence, energy, and poise.
When it comes to being a designer from sketching to sewing, fast fashion is a huge challenge. There are literally fashion scouts that look to designers and artists for what is hot, that can replicate and make available a look overnight that may have taken the original designer a nice amount of time to create. Not only that, they can create it for the masses. At times that is a bit discouraging. However, I know it is important to know people buy what they want. If they love and want Designs By J. Stocking, that is what they are going to get. Once you tap into your market and get those die-hard followers and purchasers you are good.
Finally, the creators block. I love to create. I love to sew. However, sometimes it just isn’t there. When you are in the arts, you can’t force greatness. A lot of the time the best ideas drop in your spirit while laying in bed in the middle of the night after going to the restroom. You may be walking in the park. It can be really random. Once, I was sitting on a plane only God knows how many feet in the air, and the ideas began to flow. Designers and creatives have to be patient with themselves and keep a little black book for when the creative juices hit!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a ladies-wear designer specializing in dresses and separates. I provide classy and sophisticated ensembles in hopes of giving wearers a boost of confidence, energy, and poise. I am known for cohesive collections that can be easily mixed and matched and many can be worn day to night. It is my hope to provide fashionable, yet transitional looks. I am most proud of my DBJS clients who keep coming back for more Designs By J. Stocking and the excitement surrounding the Anomaly Fashion Show.
Aside from designing and sewing I enjoy teaching others the skill of sewing and assisting with wardrobe organization and styling.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid taught me how to pivot. Covid hit in one of designer’s busiest seasons. Especially if they provide custom or couture design. Covid rammed right through prom season. I had several deposits I had already retrieved. I had purchased fabric and materials. Some dresses I had begun sewing. However, knowing the young ladies were not going to have a prom and still charging them did not sit well with me.
I offered each of my prom girls the option to be refunded or continue with the dress-making process. All, but one received a refund. It was a loss for me, or at least I thought. Then there came the demand for masks. I went straight to work making masks. In a little, over two weeks, I made over $3000 in mask production and nurse hat production alone. There were so many orders coming in and there was much overflow.
I ended up having my family help with cutting and shipping. In the end, the pandemic reminded me you will always come out better when you do right by others and what looks like a loss may be a setup for gain. It all depends on how you look at it and what you are willing to do. In this case, I pivoted. God made a way for me using my same skillset allowing me to feel no lack.
Contact Info:
- Email: jstockingb@gmail.com and anomalyfashionevent@gmail.com
- Website: www.designsbyjstocking.com www.stlanomaly.com
- Instagram: @designsbyjstockng and @anomaly_event
Image Credits
Church Productions, Chuck Pfoutz, and Desiree Coleman
