Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Jones-Lewis.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tiffany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I learned to sew in home economics class. Sewing quickly became my favorite pastime. When I graduated high school, I got away from it. From college, I joined the Navy and met my husband. My husband bought me a sewing machine in 2016 and from there, I haven’t stopped sewing yet. I am a 6’1” tall woman and it really became important that I created fashion that solved the problem of length for taller women. I have five sisters who are also tall and deal with the same issues as me.
I went to fashion school in Honolulu, Hawaii, to learn more skills and now I’m working on creating my first full ready to wear collection for tall women. As I started designing, I learned that there were hundreds of women out there who had the same problem as me. I am a niche shop but my community is very strong.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey hasn’t been smooth. Though I have been in business five years, I didn’t always have a clear vision of being a designer. I started out with a clothing boutique and did it for years. I opened a brick and mortar in which I had to close. I learned that I didn’t love selling wholesale and that my passion was in creating my own pieces. I would buy items from China that I wasn’t passionate about. I could rarely fit the clothes because I was so Tall. It took a while for me to be clear in my vision and my path in entrepreneurship.
Please tell us about TJL Collection.
I am a fashion house that designs everyday wear for women. All my items are handmade items. I am most known for specializing in fashion for tall women though I will design for anyone who comes to me.
I’m most proud of solving a problem for the women who have the same struggles as me. Growing up, I felt very alone in that walk of always being the tall girl. As I business, I am very happy to be expanding to hire black seamstresses and add more items such as handbags, bonnets and t-shirts. What sets me apart is being a small shop that helps Tall women feel fly. I am a place where fashion and fit meet. You are able to be confident and comfortable in your height. I have made clothes for women as tall as 7’0”. That is my greatest joy.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from my childhood is when my grandfather, who has now passed, called me beautiful for the first time. I was a teenage girl and trying to feel comfortable in being so tall and skinny. That still sticks with me to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: Tjlcollection.com
- Email: info@tjlcollection.com
- Instagram: Tjl_collection
- Facebook: Tjl Collection
Image Credit:
RL Photography
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