Today we’d like to introduce you to MJ.
Hi MJ, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in L.A. and raised in Atlanta. I have loved clothes since I was very young. My mother was always very fashionable and appreciated the importance of finding a “good” shoe or dress. We didn’t have much, so she taught me the value of luxe materials and strong construction. In elementary and high school, I started designing looks from everyday clothes and my mother’s vintage wear; this began developing my love of clothes. I attended magnet schools for high-achieving academics, math, science, and technology, and I grew to love the sciences very much. This led me to pursue my Bachelor’s of Science, heading towards a career in Veterinary Medicine, or so I thought. I finished my Undergraduate in Science, and this was the first time I thought about becoming a designer. I have always loved clothes and “looks,” but I didn’t know anything about the design industry or being a designer. One day, I was searching around on eBay, and I saw this used sewing machine for sale. I had not used one since that one time in Home Ec to make a pencil pouch. It was navy blue on one side and a satiny lavender on the other. It was crooked and had a hole in the bottom right corner. I added the machine to my cart, then I found some vintage patterns and completed my purchase. I was buying a machine I knew nothing about and patterns I wouldn’t understand, but I was so excited to get my package. That night, I searched “fashion designer” on my computer. At no time before that had I even thought I could design. I was led there. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do but my artistic side always shined through. Fast forward through rough designs, self-taught sewing, and fashion weeks to a Master of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising from The Academy of Art. I began designing The EmJha Collection first, fashionable ready-to-wear, then prendre-tout atelier more high fashion. I started my blog Check the Runway and put them all under coralONE. I haven’t looked back since.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth. The struggles have mostly been internal. I have spoken about imposter syndrome before, how debilitating it can be, and how being confident in your talent can be hard. The fashion industry is forever changing, so you have to be up on the new trends in color, style, and mood, so being confident you can send out styles that will resonate with the masses is a challenge. I decided when I began designing to stick to my aesthetic which is “Classic Trend.” I stick to what I know and learn about what is “in” and mesh the two. It can be hard not to go with the crowd and with what is making money in the moment.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I create high fashion luxury garments under prendre-tout atelier and chic Ready to Wear under The EmJha Collection. I also write a fashion blog, Check the Runway, and am in the process of creating an Emerging Designer non-profit, The Young Fashion Designers Association. Fashion is my passion; I have such a strong love for the industry! My collections are cool, chic, full of life with touch of classic style. What sets them apart is my point of view which is unique. This is something I am proud of, putting my point of view on full display through the expression of garments, my art.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a little bit of a risk-taker. When it comes to my life and my work, I live in 2 different worlds. I like stability and knowing things are in order in my life. Being a project manager for many years has shown me the benefit of being very “vanilla” when it comes to certain things, there is a time and a place for taking risks. Your finances, health, your relationships are places you should be cautious when taking risks. However, in designing, risks can be great. Fashion is all about taking risks and expressing yourself; color, material, construction, styling. I also feel there is a fine line between taking risks and being attention-seeking. When done right, risky style will garner much attention without being overdone.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.coralONE.us
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thechiefdesigner
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/company/coralone
Image Credits
MJ
