Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Jahde.
Andrea, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska dreaming of having my own fashion label. I went on to receive my Masters in Interior Architecture and Product Design from Kansas State University, studied furniture making in Copenhagen, completed an accelerated shoemaking course at the London College of Fashion, and held apprenticeships at Cole Haan in NYC and under Michael Nash, a footwear product developer. It was during my time in London when I realized I wanted to be a leather designer. In mid-2017, I officially launched Jahde Leather Atelier in Charleston, South Carolina with a collection of handmade leather jewelry and accessories.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I make functionable, wearable leather art that is on-trend yet timeless, and practical yet playful. All of my pieces are designed and crafted in my Charleston, SC workshop using age-old leatherworking techniques. I usually start with a few inspiration images (whether from nature or art or film) to start every collection, and then cut, shape and sew by hand, even using handmade wooden molds for the structured handbags.
This focus on handmade stems from part of the ethos of my brand, which is to bring back manufacturing to the US and revive the craft of leatherworking. In addition to making the products myself, I’m also training apprentices on the process and craft in my studio.
At the end of the day, I hope people feel good about supporting a Southern and American-made company. There are no shortcuts in what we’re doing, so I hope people see and feel that in every product and that buying and wearing Jahde Made is an experience. I also hope people have fun with the products. Leather is an amazing material that you can do a lot with, it’s something to invest in, it’s timeless, and it’s a beautiful way to express your style.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
Defining the success of an artist can be a difficult question to answer because most success is measured by monetary gain. I would define success as an artist both to inspire other artists and the community.
It’s important that artists are able to continue our creative craft (and make a living from our art)! If artists are able to figure out a way to make a few products that are accessible to the larger population, those pieces can help support the rest of the art we produce.
It’s hard to define one quality or characteristic that’s essential to the success of an artist, but if I had to say anything it would be staying on or ahead of the zeitgeist.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
If folks are local or visiting Charleston, SC, they can stop by my studio and workshop to see the whole making process and my collection of finished pieces.All of my pieces are also available on my website: https://jahdemade.com/ and a few are available at the Garden & Gun Fieldshop inside The Dewberry Hotel in downtown Charleston. Of course, the best way to support artists is by purchasing their work. But I am also honored and excited when people share product photos, connect me with new customers, collaborators or media contacts, help set up trunk shows in new cities, or generally spread the word about my work and my collection!
Contact Info:
- Address: 68 Queen Street, Charleston, SC
- Website: https://jahdemade.com/
- Phone: 843-212-7329
- Email: info@jahdemade.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahdemade/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JahdeMade/
Image Credit:
Alice in Wonderland images: Leigh-Ann Beverly
Product shots on background: Paul King
Runway show and styled desert shots: Taylor Jarvis
Studio shot of Andy in red: Teeny Morrison
Headshot: Leigh-Ann Beverly
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
