Meet Jenny Dame | Vintage Model | Small Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenny Dame and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenny, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Since I was a kid I loved drawing and painting. Being very shy and timid growing up, I would say art was my first friend I could always rely on. Creating art is where I felt most comfortable. Around 2018 is when I taught myself how to sew and I started making my own vintage style wardrobe, my artwork took a back seat to sewing. I created, “Wearable Art By Jenny Dame” in 2021 during the pandemic I began painting again. My business is combining both my loves of sewing and painting to create bespoke one of a kind circle skirts with my artwork that can hopefully be worn for generations. My business is a tribute to my Mexican American roots which I take direct inspiration from original 1950s Mexican hand painted circle skirts. Back in the 1950s, it was popular for tourists to purchase hand painted skirts as a souvenir from their travels. My business keeps alive that part of fashion history and my goal is to make timeless items like the beautiful true vintage ones of the past.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my artwork apart is how I create it. I use a giant turning wheel which I nicknamed, ” Big Bertha.” The name comes from my admiration for Selena Quintanilla, who used the same name for her tour bus. My wheel is where I paint on my skirts. I commissioned my Uncle Joe, who is an accomplished carpenter to recreate a vintage wheel similar to an image I found of a person painting on a skirt in the 1950s. Uncle Joe hand crafted his version of a turning wheel with an attached aisle, with the wheel being 70 inches in diameter. It’s huge! I needed a wheel that would fit each side of my circle skirts so painting on them is easier and more comfortable then painting on the floor or table.

My artwork takes inspiration from recreating vintage style artwork from the 1950s or I make custom commissions of requested artwork from my clients. I enjoy coming up with their requested design and making something that is one of a kind wearable art. I love that my artwork can be worn and enjoyed out in the world, rather than be stationary on a wall or framed. I love the movement and to see my hand painted skirts worn makes me so happy.

Another aspect of my business is I also make Sparkle Hair Nets. I found a way to wear reusable rhinestones in your hair, and in the sunlight it looks like you have sparkles in your hair. I made one and I shared it online and I had such a great response to them I had to have them available in my shop. Lots of customers have expressed to me that they love having sparkles in their hair and it’s a way to protect their curls from the wind or just to have an extra sparkle to their look. It’s become a staple of mine and another way of expressing my artwork. My customer is the art that shines bright.

What I learned along the way is to listen to my audience and to make genuine connections on social media. I’ve found so many like minded business owners, vintage lovers and my beloved customers all by having an online presence. I feel so fortunate to share my interests and business endeavors and to have an encouraging following that means the world to me. It keeps me motivated and excited to keep creating.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My boyfriend and I are foodies, we love a good place to eat with great company. We tend to make friends with the servers and owners and its great to see familiar friends when going out. Seems like every corner in Los Angeles has the best place to enjoy, all depending on what you are in the mood for. For Japanese food we love to head to Little Tokyo for affordable delicious sushi and ramen. Sonoritas restaurant in Downtown has one the best shrimp tacos. I love the vintage charm of the historic Clifftons Republic, check out the hidden tiki lounge on the top floor. For a night out and if I want to feel like I stepped back in time for a dance, The Ciccada Club has incredible live bandstand music and time period drinks. What I love about my home is LA has everything you could ever want in a city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mom Norma and my boyfriend Lucas are my biggest cheerleaders for my business and whom I am so lucky to have in my life. My mom strengthens me with her love and unwavering support. Always so encouraging and believes in all of my endeavors. My boyfriend Lucas supports me through his love and always celebrates any small accomplishments of mine. He is the first person I go to for advice and without fail offers genuine motivation especially when I feel at my lowest.

I must also mention my Grandma Martha who has since passed, but was also incredibly encouraging when I first started my business. I believe grandma’s are a gift from heaven and I can feel her presence with me. I just hope to continue to make her proud.

Website: https://wearableartjennydame.etsy.com

Instagram: @jennydame_

Youtube: Jenny Dame

Image Credits
Two Images with calla lillies ( yellow skirt with yellow off-the-shoulder blouse) taken by Mira @3LA. All other photos are taken by me.