Meet Jordan Wright Patterson of Revivalist South in Newnan

Jordan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When you hear people say “I kind of fell into it”, it is definitely true in my case.

After graduating with a BFA from SCAD Atlanta, I moved to New York for an internship thinking that that’s where I wanted to end up. Six months later, I was aching to get back to my southern roots. Once I was back down here I started assisting Ginny Branch Stelling with Prop and Set Styling. Little did I know, how much it was going to pave the way for the next few years.

Not too long after that, I became a freelance Prop + Set Stylist with The Spin Style Agency here in the city. The work was so cut-throat but very, very gratifying for me. I did work for The Hollywood Reporter, GQ, and Dior… all really amazing shoots to be on.

A few years later, I got the opportunity to work for Billy Reid. I worked in the Westside shop here for exactly a year and then got the opportunity to start styling the e-commerce shoots. Eventually I got a promotion to work out of the home office as Content Stylist in Florence (Alabama).

While working for Billy, I started doing the whole paper cutting thing as a hobby. Billy liked them and wanted to acquire several for himself. They ended up being exhibited at his annual Shindig alongside the featured work of Alison Mosshart (of The Kills and The Dead Weather). That was a major, unexpected highlight for me that year. It made me realize that maybe, just maybe, there was something to dive deeper into there.

Fast forward a few years and a baby later, I now can say I’m creating art full-time. Styling and Content Creation are still a major part of who I am, but it’s hard to focus on just one thing + motherhood at the moment for me. One day, it’ll come back around in my life.

Has it been a smooth road?
Navigating life as a work-from-home/stay-at-home mom is not an easy thing. Some days, I feel incredibly productive and like I’m winning at this whole parenting thing. Other days, I don’t get one thing done. I’m trying to give myself a little more grace and patience these days instead of constantly feeling like I have to strike while the iron’s hot.

As my son gets older I know it’ll get easier. I’m not going to wish this season of my life away, so I’ll take each day as it comes.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Revivalist South story. Tell us more about the business.
About six years ago, I thought of the name Revivalist South for some reason. If you asked me how I came up with that or if there was some meaning behind it, you’ll probably be disappointed.

As of this moment, my main focuses are working on my art, expanding that, and offering creative services.

My vision one day is to turn it into a lifestyle company, offering a small array of products along with art and creative services. Lots of ideas still floating around with that concept.

I just enjoy creating things that others can appreciate.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
The major talk right now in the industry is about sustainability, lessening our footprint, and how we’re going to make a difference for future generations. I think we as consumers are responsible for making wise decisions when it comes to knowing where our clothes come from and who made them. And more importantly, what are the lives like of the people who make them. This isn’t just a community effort, it’s got to be global. I’m seeing more and more brands making efforts towards sustainability and I hope that continues.