Women’s wear designer JD Noble is preparing to launch a new collection, and she recently got candid with Quaint Revolt about the importance of craftsmanship and creating designs that are “universal.” A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design, JD began creating at fifteen while attending Atlanta’s Henry W. Grady high school, which received local praise for its fashion program {UrbanCouture under the direction of Vincent Martinez} where students had the opportunity to create full collections for presentation at the end of the school year. Noble’s family is comprised of highly skilled seamstresses, but, ironically, JD did not intend on pursuing fashion post-secondary school. She was quoted in her high school’s magazine saying “I don’t plan on going into fashion.” Thankfully, a fateful encounter early in college forced her inner designer to emerge; a mutual friend had informed her about the college’s fashion show. “A designer backed out; they needed another designer to put clothes in the show,” to which she contributed her high school collection. A year later, she dropped her journalism major at the University of West Georgia, transferred to the renowned SCAD, and “started making [design] the way of life.” Being an artist (in any form) comes from having raw, innate talent, but that does not mean artists shouldn’t hone their skills through education. Although she believes college isn’t always necessary for such fields, she explains that she chose to study her craft to “gain respect.” And, too, living in a city that’s not a major fashion capital (but pretends to be) adds an extra hurdle to sound designers, and makes it harder for them to distinct themselves from the t-shirt liners. Interning and studying design helped to strengthen the technicalities of her clothing.
“I want to make my clothes on the inside look as good as they are on the outside.”
Expanding on the topic of vapid clothing construction, I don’t believe it’s wise to blame aspiring designers for their lack of understanding. Noble elaborated on the shortage of available resources for such creatives, which is just a fragment of a more widespread issue: classism and the alienation of diversity in the fashion industry. Designers, especially those who are African-American, have a harder time gaining financial backing to create collections that can rival large scale brands. Also, up and coming designers often have difficulty finding spaces that offer support and other resources (i.e., networking, mentorship, etc.) to help advance their skills and develop their aesthetics.
Noble’s aesthetic is well-defined but is undeniably inclusive. Every woman, regardless of personal style, can see herself wearing something from JD’s collection. Thinking about her consumers throughout the design process is what makes her so great at sticking to her vision, yet still developing garments for a range of women. From the types of fabrics she chooses to the silhouettes she executes; it’s about the consumer. If this makes you excited for her new collection, don’t worry, you’re not alone. For one, we can expect robust construction and great detail. Her Spring/Summer 2016 lineup is inspired by the “timeline of womanhood.” Therefore, she is presenting a cohesive mixture of flirty and flare – think flowy dresses and pants – with tailored, sophisticated pieces. If you haven’t seen how strong her suit-making game is, take a look at the Jacquard beauty on her site.
The new collection is all about “embracing womanhood and embracing what it has to offer.” Take a special sneak peek of some looks below. You may also view the current season online and get updates from the designer on instagram at byjdnoble.
Photography: Aspen Cierra