DESIGNER PROFILE – JACQUELINE RUMOHR
What should everyone know about you?
JR: My career has been everything I envisioned it would be from the time I finished college. I have had the most amazing experiences through design and the international travel being a Fashion Designer.
How would you describe what you do?
JR: I am a commercial designer that thrives on expanding a brand based on the concept or principal it was founded on. I also am able to create a brand from the bottom up.
Why did you choose to be a designer?
JR: I loved to sew as a young girl. My exposure to fashion was during the mid ’80’s where music and fashion were at a very interesting experimental era. I modeled during high school and just being a part of that environment definitely formed my future as a designer. I had a very limited budget and would take old sheets and transform them into clothing and dye them in my parents washer. I loved taking my 501’s and making them skinny with zippers and dying them in a large bucket to be jet black. I now love to shop at Estate sales and furnish my home in the same concept. Reuse and renew!!
What steps did you take to become a designer?
JR: As a model I got a lot of pointers from the designers I was working with. I needed to see if I had any talent so I enrolled in the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. That was an amazing start and I eventually attended and graduated from Otis Parsons School of Design in Los Angeles.
Best/Most Challenging part of your job?
JR: The most challenging and best part of the job is the unknown and how to make it into something that will keep me happy as a creative person and employed at the same time.
If you weren’t a designer what would you be?
JR: An Interior Designer or Architect. I love design.
How did you get started in design?
JR: I was a senior in high school and had a friend who showed me my first Vogue magazine in 1982. I was heavily inspired by Illustrator’s such as Antonio Lopez, he was brilliant!
What do you like about what you do?
JR: Creating beautiful clothing that makes people happy when they are in them. I also get a thrill when I see people in my designs.
What’s a common misconception people have about what you do?
JR: I rarely run into anyone who even has a concept of what a fashion designer does so, I usually explain what we do and how it works. 🙂
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
JR: Hopefully retired or running a small line. Either back to swimwear or something that creates happiness when worn.
What sparked your interest in design?
JR: I am 100% visual and an artist. I appreciate beautifully designed clothing, furniture and landscapes. It inspires me and creates a positive energy within.
How has your work evolved since you began your career?
JR: Very much. I come from an era of hand drawn and hand done. I love anything tech. I now draw in Illustrator and do almost everything in the computer. This has really evolved my creativity in a new way!
Are there any types of clothing/footwear/accessories that you avoid wearing?
JR: I tend to not dress in a way that makes me look like I am trying too hard. I am not the kooky wacky designer. I believe in being feminine and accentuating the sensual and beauty of being a woman.
What are you fascinated by at the moment and how does it feed into your work?
JR: I am never afraid to be challenged. So,I tend to dig into many types of clothing. Currently I am building my portfolio and studying the athletic clothing aesthetic.
What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started your career?
JR: Life // Work //Balance
What advice would you give to young designers?
JR: Work harder than your peers and be a sponge. Learn as much as you can!!
What would you like to achieve before the end of the year?
JR: A fabulous position!
Are you superstitious or do you have any rules you live by?
JR: I live and enjoy everyday. I appreciate all the love and support that surrounds me! I smile and laugh everyday!
What’s your motto?
JR: What is meant for you will come your way.
Other (feel free to tell the readers anything about you that we didn’t ask)
JR: I have had the most incredible experiences as a fashion designer. I have had really terrific alliances with other talented designers that made going to work and achieving the mountain of work and deadlines so much more exhilarating and fun! Having that positive and creatively enriching environment makes being in the fashion industry very fulfilling as a visual artist.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Jacqueline Rumohr has lived and embraced the Southern California lifestyle. Having spent some time prior as a model and dancer, Jacqueline’s passion for the arts and everything that has beauty and movement naturally brought her to pursue fashion as a career. She was initially introduced to an education in apparel by attending Los Angeles Trade Technical College. Those early years of fashion education helped her formative skills in pattern making and draping. She was incredibly inspired by the students of Otis Parsons School of Design and soon after enrolled and completed the four year Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Fashion Design. Jacqueline called on her first experience in fashion having worked for a major outdoor retailer throughout her schooling and designed men’s ski wear for Fera International. That quickly segued her career as a swimwear designer with the Anne Cole Collection. Passionate about being in the garment capital, she moved to New York and was the weekend casual designer for Ann Taylor Stores, early in their transition to forming an in house design team. Her contacts to the industry ultimately lead her to be the head designer for David Dart and a move back to Los Angeles. A creative liaison was formed with David as she started the “Sport” division in the early 1990’s. David Dart Sport was one of few companies that took on the challenges of a luxurious cellulosic fiber and fabric also known as “Tencel.” Jacqueline developed a knowledge of garment dye techniques and specialty washes and would frequent dyes houses in Los Angeles. Jacqueline has been fortunate in the education of fabric and product development that has spanned the globe. She has frequently been involved in the conversion of companies from US based production to setting up an “overseas” template and structures. Jacqueline loves a hands on approach to developing and creating product. A thirst for knowledge and fearlessness best describes Jacqueline’s approach to design and product development. A key team player and natural leader, Jacqueline has an inherent ability to create product with an intelligence that is unique to the brand or customer. She has been a catalyst in expanding product and an ability to grow and adapt to the fast paced Fashion Industry.
Learn more at: http://styleportfolios.com/downdawg/
Email: Downdawg@sbcglobal.net
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jacquier1