Today we’d like to introduce you to Mcjordan Erhunmwunse.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As you could imagine, growing up I was very experimental, creative, and curious. I would experiment with many mediums when it came to freely expressing myself. I would write, paint, make music, and generally enjoyed taking this apart and putting them back together again. Eventually, I ran into fashion after seeing my first fashion show. Like a lot of things I’ve explored, I felt creative freedom and I felt like I could be who I wanted to be when I wanted, but I also took it seriously when I saw that I could make a lucrative career out of it (sometimes fashion isn’t so lucrative) haha. I started taking classes and studying different designers but I think a lot of what I know is self-taught – A big part of being independent in fashion is individualism and knowing what works for you and what doesn’t. Straight out of high school, I applied to about five colleges, one of them being the Fashion Institute of Technology where I was accepted and eventually attended. College is an experience I’ll appreciate forever but was it totally for me, I don’t think so. The school has great resources and reputation but a lot of times I’d feel singled out when it came to ideas I’d have – This would eventually spark the fire to start my own brand. I started M.J.E Studios during my third year at FIT.
Through my brand, I’ve made great connections with stylists, writers, directors, and other designers that I respect tremendously and actually started to see some celebrity clientele for myself after a short period of time. I remember my first collection I put out a small 6-piece collection in November of 2018 which I shot on the streets of soho. Of course, I’ve grown a lot since then but I look back and I still see a lot of core values and design ethics that are still present with my brand to this day. Backtracking to my tenure at FIT – I graduated this May with a BA in technical design and an AAS in fashion design after four years. I’m back home in Maryland at the moment due to the pandemic and my brand recently turned two years old a few months ago. I also released a women’s capsule collection this month that you can check out on my website and on my social media pages!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s anything but smooth, many hurdles, and some that I’m still facing today. Transitioning and thoroughly knowing the in’s and out’s of the business is still a challenge, slowly but surely I’m getting accustomed to it. Money management has become better but it is also still a challenge. There are a lot of avenues that come with financing a fashion business. From sourcing, sample making, production, etc. It always comes with a big price tag. It’s always best to have someone by your side whether it’s a colleague, friend, or consultant to help you cope with the business side of things – One small financial mistake could be treacherous. Knowing your customer was a small challenge that I’ve proudly got a good handle of- I enjoy studying them a lot. Knowing their hobbies, where they hang out, what they watch, the kind of music they listen to, where they might live, what they like to wear and when, etc., are all important to know.
M.J.E Studios – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The name M.J.E Studios came from the abbreviation of my full name. We specialize in ready-to-wear for men and women. Everything I create is inspired by functionality, luxury, utility, and modernity. I want to continue to be known for bringing quality, modern design techniques, and authenticity to the wearer. I’m proud that my brand has developed a clear voice and look. Brand identity is huge. I like that someone can look at a piece from me and say “That’s M.J.E Studios”. I also love the connections I’ve made through my brand.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me means being able to do what you love while making a living out of it, and giving back to help others. I used to think money was a big defining factor of success but its definitely at the bottom of the list. There are a lot of people with money but aren’t authentically themselves, don’t have good people around them, and/or aren’t simply doing what they love and in turn are unhappy. I don’t come from a fashion/design background so breaking that cycle and being able to say I’m living freely while doing this would be the biggest marker for me. With that, I want to have good, loving people around me that help me grow and take me for me. My biggest pillars of success are health, wealth, love, and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mjestudios.com
- Phone: 240-778-7885
- Email: info@mjestudios.com
- Instagram: @mjestudios
- Twitter: @MJE_studios
Image Credit:
Photos taken by Miguel Djontu and Khadijah Malone, Models/Talents included: Alicia Drayton, Ziggy Mack Johnson, Jaron Foster, George Tolson, Sachia Sanchez, SouthSideShawn, Llewellyn Doris at fusion fashion models, Rose Bikoy
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
