Today we’d like to introduce you to Jarrod Martin
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
To many I am your Modern-day Renaissance man I am a Tailor, Designer, Certified Chef, and Creative Artist. I started my first clothing brand when I was 14, I am now 23 years old and I have daughter and own multiple companies. When I initially started making clothing it was distressing denim and making Graphic T-shirts, I soon recognized that I had a Greater passion for fashion and the art of making clothing. This encouraged me to start doing research on the different areas of the Fashion Industry and how I could use my upbringing and passion to use clothing as a Tool to offer confidence. At 17 after 4 years of conducting research and making clothing for friends and teaching myself to sew I started hitting the pavement looking for someone I could apprenticeship or mentee under to learn from someone who had experience in the craft of Bespoke Suiting & the Custom clothier industry. Before I knew what, I know now I was under the impression you had to know how to Sew, make patterns, sketch, and etc. to call yourself a Designer. For nearly 2 years I cycled through different relationships with Clothiers and Designers learning about the industry and how to operate as a Polished Professional Gentleman. After cycling through the relationships of either Gentleman who had Little experience but maybe a great network or gentleman who called themselves Tailors but were really button pushers and could not even sew merely only able to use a measuring tape and conduct appointments. I was able to get connected to two Gentleman. One a Saville Row Trained Bench Tailor who taught me how to Handmake Bespoke garments from Trousers (pants), Waistcoat (Vest), and Blazers (Jacket). The other being a Celebrity Clothier that worked with various Tailors to complete his Alterations and needed adjustments and he mainly would deal with High-net-worth professionals or Professional Athletes. I was able to Apprenticeship under both gentlemen, it was during this time I learned about Design, Textiles, Manufacturing, Marketing, and how to conduct consultations with clients. I also went through a Refinement period where I learned how to be a Gentleman, how a Gentleman builds a permanent wardrobe, how a gentleman lives his everyday lifestyle, the way he carries himself, operates as a chameleon in various rooms, and protrudes value. After working with the Celebrity Clothier for some time running Prom Campaigns, handling client fittings & appointments he got me a Job at The Columbus Urban League working inside the work development Department where I was the Supervisor over a Social Enterprise called My Brothers Closet. During my time working there it changed my whole mission behind why I made clothing, I was able to work with Men who came from all walks of life some straight out of Prison involved in the (Choose to Change Program), some homeless, some veterans, some were new fathers like me who were involved in the (father 2 father Program). My Job was to offer work readiness clothing to the men and conduct workshops on the importance of Dressing for Success, but I would go further and offer a whole experience where we would get them suited from head to toe with multiple outfits. Along with getting them hygiene products and Haircuts so they could feel confident when they left from my Showroom. I learned that through the experience I offered by the end of the appointment these men would change their exterior viewpoint on themselves and walk confidently some of the men had even shed a few tears because many judged them based off first impressions because of Implicit bias or mistakes they have made but while they were in my Showroom, I treated them like a human being. To make it even better I wanted to make sure they did not forget the experience. I would have all the women come out in the Hallway of the building from the President’s office to the Front door and I would walk the Gentleman all the way down and by the end many of them did not want to take the suits off and walked away wearing their suits. The way they were interacted with and how peoples first impression changed affected their whole view on getting dressed up. After experiencing these things, it taught me that yes, the clothing was important but what was more important was my ability to offer a Dose of Confidence to each gentleman I met and the confidence I attached to the clothing. This shifted my drive from money to offering a valued experience where I help each person, I meet to Know their Worth, show their worth, Then Strut within it each day. My ability to help people Know their worth encourages them to show their worth through style and work performance then strut within it each day. After working at My Brothers Closet, I had the opportunity to work in the retail industry for Indochino & Ermenegildo Zegna were I gained management experience running a showroom and suiting clients up until I was laid off due to Covid-19. During my employment working at these two employers outside of work I was able to learn to Drape, improve my patternmaking skills and learn to make Technical Packages. This unexpected change shifted me to go Full time in my clothing brand RUST MARTIN Bespoke Fashion House. RUST MARTIN, founded by Jarrod Martin in 2017, is a Luxury Goods Brand made in your image, not for your image while providing you with remarkable bespoke tailoring, Luxurious fabrics, and Forward-looking Silhouettes. Rust Martin sets the standard with Traditional unparalleled craftsmanship through custom designs and prêt à porter (Made to Order) collections. Rust Martin’s key focus is on fit, complimented by intricate details. Rust Martin empowers you to know your worth and show your worth, then strut within it. Unparalleled, Unrivaled, One of a kind. Rust Martin Elevates you with Sophisticated Elegance and Modern aesthetics. RUST MARTIN is a true manifestation of individuality, the enhancement of your inner self, the real you. My first collection entitled ‘A DOSE OF CONFIDENCE, THE TRUE ESSENCE OF INDIVUALITY” which will be available this spring.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all but if it came smooth and easy would we really appreciate it and Value it. The Road less traveled is never a Smooth road its full of pitfalls, bumps, and unfamiliar terrain but I have learned it takes a definite purpose and plan in mind and the determination to achieve your chief aim in life to truly make it. One of my mentors once told me life is a rollercoaster you never want to get to high or too low you want to try to remain neutral. Starting off in the industry it was a challenge for me to find someone who was actually credible and had a reputation that proceeded them and knew what they were doing. I nearly cycled through Clothiers and Designers for 2 years until I met the two gentleman who poured value and industry knowledge into me. The Saville row tailor would vigorously work with me for over 2 1/2 years. Here is where I learned to construct a garment that would fit like a glove. On the other hand, the other gentleman I worked for the Celebrity Clothier who called himself a tailor but did not sew Offered other lessons for me to learn. In the first year I was working as a clothier I was homeless and I slept inside my car and a friend’s dorm for 6 months. I would wake up every morning getting dressed in the dorm bathroom or public restrooms then I would go out hit the pavement and network with professionals downtown and try to get prospective clients for some time no avail. A lot of older gentleman would not give me the time of day because I had little to no experience and they did not know me. While working for this gentleman I went through a refinement period where I learned to live as a gentleman but this opened the door for him to question my character quite often. Weather it was one of the biggest lessons I learned which was keeping your business & personal life separate, recognizing when the opportunity to switch careers arises and how you properly do it. While working for the Clothier I was a Sous Chef and I helped run restaurants, the challenge was always choosing between the two and deciding what would cause me to walk away from culinary arts. Unfortunately, while I worked for the clothier, I ran into issues were the gentleman did not want to pay me higher Commission and did not offer a Base salary which meant if I wasn’t getting sales, I was not making money. Not to mention he tried to lock me in a 5 year non-compete nationwide. Towards the end of the apprenticeship that relationship became sour due to my leaving The Columbus Urban League to go back into the retail industry. I was being harassed by my director along with the work environment being toxic my mentor being the one who got me the position felt some kind of way because I left to work for Indochino a suit company he called Competition. He felt that I had taken all this knowledge from him when note he would give me books and papers to write and send me to tailor shops to learn alterations because he didn’t sew and because I ask a lot of questions. I guess it’s true that Idols become rivals overtime they view you as competition able to surpass them. The biggest blow was my grandmothers passing on December 4th, 2017 a month before my daughter was born, the same day my company RUST MARTIN became an official business. My grandmother was my everything after her passing I went through a dark phase were I was angry and searching for answers pertaining to the whole situation, I had to tap back in to my spirituality and faith so that I could remain Righteous Under Stressful Times which is the Acronym for my Business R.U.S.T MARTIN. I learned I had to truly live the meaning of the brand before I could truly walk this path I have journeyed on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
RUST MARTIN, founded by Jarrod Martin in 2017, is a Luxury Goods Brand made in your image, not for your image while providing you with remarkable bespoke tailoring, Luxurious fabrics, and Forward-looking Silhouettes. Rust Martin sets the standard with Traditional unparalleled craftsmanship through custom designs and prêt à porter (Made to Order) collections. Rust Martin’s key focus is on fit, complimented by intricate details. Rust Martin empowers you to know your worth and show your worth. Unparalleled, Unrivaled, One of a kind. Rust Martin Elevates you with Sophisticated Elegance and Modern aesthetics. RUST Martin Is a true manifestation of individuality, the enhancement of your inner self, the real Authentic you. I am most proud that Rust Martin Exudes Luxury and offers a dose of Confidence to each customer. Services: Formal Wear, Couture, Bespoke & Made to measure Suits for Men & Women, and Custom Designs. Rust Martin will be releasing our First Collection which will include a Lookbook and Short film. Included in the collection we will be releasing our Leather Goods Collection Embossed in our Signature monogram, this collection will include a Crossbody Sling, Bookbag, and Duffle bag. “Where Travel Meets Luxury”.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I believe you have to take risk in order to succeed, I also believe nothing will be given to you in the world you have to go after it or take it. I would like to think I am a risk taker but I believe that you should take planned and calculated risk and not go into a situation blindly.
Pricing:
- Duffle Bag $750
- Crossbody Sling $350
- Bookbag $400
Contact Info:
- Email: Jarrodmartin@rustmartinlife.com
- Website: www.Rustmartinlife.com
- Instagram: @Rustmartinlife_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rustmartinlifestyle
Image Credits:
Clique Photography (Enyjah Osborne) Company Website : (www.ourcliques.com) Instagram: @clique.ohio Facebook: Clique Photography
