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

Hi Jessica, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When you are an artist, small business, or choose any career that involves your personal passions and goals that choice in itself is a risk. Every movement and every decision as a small business owner involves risk taking. In my life and career I suppose I’ve really just followed my heart. This choice has lead to good and bad decisions in my personal and business lives. In all cases I have learned valuable lessons from each experience and moved forward.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I started my business in tiny Hollywood apartment kitchen in 2002 sewing one of a kind consignment pieces for local small boutiques and a few in Northern California. This evolved into my career which is still evolving all these years later. The question about business being easy? I have never really heard a story about of the type of business I am in being easy. Mostly it’s a labor of love, which can be financially rewarding but not without blood, sweat and tears. I guess I would say I am most proud of being able to overcome countless roadblocks and moving forward. For the last 2.5 years I have been studying tailoring and am on my last class for tailoring certification. So right now what I am most excited for is applying all of the complicated sewing I have been learning to future garments. It’s been a challenge being in school and working full time, while also doing freelance projects and navigating a personal life. I’m looking forward to focusing on spring and really challenging myself to be more creative and focused. As far as lessoned learned along the way. If someone who is an expert in your field offers you advice take it, ask allot of questions so you don’t repeat mistakes, learn every aspect of your business IE: how each job works so you can explain exactly what you need when you are outsourcing. My story is probably really similar to most independent designers and artists. I work really hard everyday to keep my business running, I hand make, pack and ship all of my orders. When you buy something from myself or any other artist you are quite literally supporting an artist. I would like to encourage people to buy direct from small designers or small businesses.  

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live DTLA which right now is not doing so hot due to pandemic associated damages. Let’s say it was last January though. My favorite restaurant DTLA is Bestia or if you wanted an equivalent vegan version Pura Vita in West Hollywood (BEST FOOD) I actually like to cook at home allot and my best friend does too so we would probably find recipes to make and eat out a few special places. And get donuts at Donut Friend. My favorite places to visit are the Getty center, the broad, LACMA, various Galleries, if there is a band I want to see the troubadour is my favorite place to see live music. I kind of work allot so I don’t know how exciting I am to visit. Unless you want to hang out in my studio. My goddaughter comes for visits and we make her like five custom outfits.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There would so many. I am inspired by so many incredibly talented and amazing women in my life. Natalia Fabia www.nataliafabia.com Brandi Milne www.brandimilne.com Lola Gil www.lolafineart.com Korin Faught www.korinfaught.com All four incredibly talented painters as well as fantastic women. My friend Keli who is a champion for animals and runs her own hospice for terminally ill and abandoned shelter pets IG: @rockandrollrescuekel.

I don’t personally know her but her work is stunning and gives me great joy to experience through social media and website. Just amazing puppets. You will not be sorry if you visit this website. www.handsomedevilspuppets.com Also another artist/costumer I do not personally know but her work is immaculate Ruth Watkin www.ruth-watkin.squarespace.com If you ever need something incredible made with perfect sewing contact her. My friend Hali who like myself has built and runs his company for the last 15 years. He is a skateboarder and designs really high quality handmade streetwear. www.choncordia.com And last but not least: Officer Deon Joseph who has worked in my community of DTLA for 22 years an advocate for our homeless population as well as a community leader. During the pandemic I made masks ( like most other designers) including ones for SFFD,SJFD, SFPD and made a few for my local station central division DTLA as well as masks to donate to my homeless community. Officer Joseph came to my studio to pick them up and distribute. Check out his ted Talk its a good lesson in compassion for the mentally ill and being open to understanding other peoples struggles. www.deonjoseph.org

Website: www.jessicalouise.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jessicalouiseclothing
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-louise-b722571/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlclothing
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicalouiseclothing
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jessica-louise-los-angeles-3

Image Credits
Image of me: Photography Miss Missy in order of upload: 1. Model: Mackenzie Photography: Jessica Louise 2.Model: Countess Photography: Jessica Louise 3.Model: Mosh Photography: Michelle X Star 4.Model: Alexandra Photography: Jessica Louise 5.Model: Gothlet Photography: Jessica Louise 6.Model: Mosh Photography: Michelle X Star 7.Model: Tess Holliday Photography: Adam Wallacavage 8.Model: Mosh Photography: Michelle X Star

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