Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Hayes.
Jessica Hayes was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Now, based in Atlanta, Georgia Jessica is a newcomer to the fashion industry as the CEO of The House of Avid.
Jessica is an evident source of inspiration from her style, positive attitude, uniqueness, and overall persona. As a first-generation college student, Jessica graduated from the illustrious Tuskegee University with a degree in Business Administration located in Tuskegee, Alabama (℅ 2015). During her time at Tuskegee, she was an active member of the trendsetting Rave Revue Modeling Troupe.
Her vision for “The House of Avid” is a unique clothing line where you can receive an exclusive custom outfit for any occasion. AVID, a brand of extremely desirous class, sophistication, and style is a showstopper at any time of the day. Anyone that wears House of Avid will not have to worry about being duplicated at any event. Wearing AVID makes you feel like a diva and if you mirror the title that’s just what it is.
AVID|DIVA. It is a representation of great style and personality wrapped in high confidence. AVID stands out among the rest so our clients can as well.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being a fashion designer in Atlanta has definitely not been a smooth road. You have to fight your way in this industry. Everything is about who you know here. As for me, I just let my work speak for itself. It’s undeniable that my garments are amazing and not to sound cocky, but I put in so much hard work to ensure that my custom garments are of amazing quality and style. I remember earlier this year, I was sewing a prom gown and I sewed right into my index finger. I was moving so fast! That was the first time I’ve ever done that in all my years of sewing. I screamed so loud, but then I had to get myself together to finish the garment because my client was counting on me to have the gown completed on time and I can not be the person to say to my client I had an obstacle stop me, so I couldn’t complete your garment. My drive doesn’t work that way. I’m so determined to succeed in my field that when struggles come my way, I have learned to not let them discourage me off of my path of success. Now, I take my struggles and learn from them like life’s lessons. The path to success is never a straight path. There will always be twists and turns we just have to know how to get around them and keep pushing towards the achieved goal.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about House of Avid – what should we know?
The House of Avid is a place where Fashion meets Design. Our CEO and Designer Jessica Hayes created The House of Avid for one purpose to provide: our clients with a unique experience of receiving a stylish, glamorous, and unique signature look for special events.
Jessica has designed custom garments for clients all of the nations and internationally as well. The House of Avid prides itself that we put our clients needs first. You receive more than a custom designed garment from our fashion house. Our clients receive an exclusive custom garment made by our team of professionals, excellent customer service, and remarkable experience of feeling like the “it factor.”
Our fashion house does in person and virtual consultations to begin the design process of custom garments. It has taken time to develop a formula to ensure our clients get the best experience and custom designed garment from us. Jessica started sewing at the young age of 12 years old. Now, as the CEO of The House of Avid, Jessica works long hours making garments, travels extensively meeting with clients, makes special host appearances, and attends fashion shows frequently as an active member of the fashion community.
As the late great Maya Angelou said: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
That’s my goal as a fashion designer is to touch the lives of everyone I work with and make them feel special in every way while sharing my gifts with them.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
For years, I did not tell anyone that I knew how to sew. I learned to sew from my next door neighbor who was a seamstress in Birmingham, Angie. I haven’t talked to her in years since she moved away, but she ignited my passion for sewing and designing. I hate that she doesn’t even know how successful I am now. In college, I was always known as Jessica the model or Jessica that was into fashion. While I was at Tuskegee, not many people knew I would sew gowns and wear them to different events. It was like my little secret. I do want to thank and give credit to my Tuskegee family and hometown of Birmingham, Alabama because once I showed my gift to the world they gave me unwavering support and still do until this day. It feels so good that I have so many of my friends and family that recommend my custom design services to everyone they know. The best compliment is a referral, I’ve learned that and now I’ve gotten to the spot in my career where if I know that a referral comes from a specific person I’ll send them cash as a token of my appreciation and that could be up to $100 or give them discounts on custom outfits made by me.
In 2017, I got the offer to go to New York Fashion Week for the first time. That was an amazing opportunity. I was so nervous and excited all at the same time, more nervous I did not budget to take a trip from Atlanta at New York within two weeks. As I spoke to my friends, they encouraged me to make a gofundme for the trip. Very apprehensive, I made the account to raise the money for the New York Fashion Week trip. When I tell you I raised all the money I needed and I can only thank all of my Tuskegee Friends and my family. It was amazing to know that I had so many people that support me in my dream of being a fashion designer sometimes, it’s overwhelming. I can say there are days when I’m on social media I have someone new tagging me in a post for someone who is looking for a custom garment or I’ll get text messages from friends asking to share my number for someone they know looking for a wedding gown or any other garment they are looking to get created. I can design and make pretty much anything!
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thehouseofavid.com
- Email: jessica@thehouseofavid.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jessicahayesdesigns?r=nametag
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HouseOfAvid/?ref=bookmarks
- Other: https://instagram.com/houseofavid?r=nametag
Image Credit:
(Pictured African print dress): Dress: @houseofavid Photographer: @ynot_images ; (Pictured Black Gown) Photographer: @tdvisualarts Model: @_lovebonni Designer/ Stylist: @Jessicahayesdesigns/ @houseofavid ; (Pictured nude Gown) Model: @kevionentkeyah, MUA: @uniquelyyoubyleah, Gown: @Jessicahayesdesigns/ @houseofavid Jewelry: @chicdezignz;(Pictured Wedding Gown) Photographer: @ynot_images Client: @Mrs_staucey, MUA: @perfectyourbeat, Hair: @sheezifancy; (Pictured Red Gown) Photographer: @mieimages, Client: @Rhondaathompson, Gown: @houseofavid/@Jessicahayesdesigns, (Pictured Burgundy Sequin Gown) Photographer: @tdvisualarts, MUA: @_sherisvoirbelle, Model: @Jessicahayesdesigns, Gown: @houseofavid, (Pictured Runway) Photographer: H Greaves @hgreavesphotog, Models: @_lovebonni and @elizabethcaines_, Gowns: @houseofavid, MUA: @mualabelle
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