Jag Saint Joi - I'm Happy!

Bundle up in a denim Jag Saint Joi bubble...coat that is - collar popped, hands in leather trimmed pockets *hey, I’m detailed, literally*, I walk the streets of New York with my samples. All of a sudden I felt something hit me. It wasn’t that something actually hit me, but an uncontrollable amount of passion surfaced that could only be described in three words...Jag Saint Joi! A smile covered my face in pure 'Joi'! How do I bottle this moment, these words, and this emotion? Liberated yet flabbergasted, I couldn’t grasp the basic principals of how to even formulate the letters of the alphabet to create a word.

I felt so good in my own skin that I was jealous of myself. Laughing at the fact that this collection is a lesson in fashion 1(0)1 is bananas. Why 1(0)1, because...

...Actually, let’s table that discussion for a more mature conversation. I want to make certain you’re ready. So let me prep you, but in the meantime, I am about to teach and transform the whole game believer by believer, don't worry, I have time. Trust me! I’m so in love with this fashion game and the participants, it’s inspirational and plus I'll be here for a while, a long while.

See, you can either conform or be formed, you pick your poison but Jag Saint Joi will form and re-create imagines through fabrics. It will be unfair if didn’t share this experience with you, but a word to the wise, if you’re going to do fashion...lol,"DO" fashion, be heard, bespoken!

Inspired Inspiration...

They never told me when I was growing up that inspiration is conceived through anything and transpired from everything. Maybe I didn’t pay attention in life 101? I guess I could never understand that I was part of the “any and everything” that inspiration came from. Never knew that I could challenge myself...convince myself to be so inspired by the “me” within...no one told me ---- no one ever told me? Maybe it was meant for me to find out through the garments I create? Maybe that’s why each piece I design is a story in itself. Yea, you heard me right; each piece that I create is a story within itself. Jag Saint Joi is a story, an evolution and if you stick around, you will be able to evolve with the vision of a visionary and be inspired by your own inspiration.

This video is a quick video that was inspired by my own inspiration, I hope you enjoy, it’s a continuation of I Get it now!

I get it now...

I wish I could document everything that is happening right now, because this is crazy and this needs to be captured! I want to go back and relive this very moment when I need motivation.

*Thinking to myself* Well document it! Write down everything, anything that comes to your mind, every image, every story and every idea...it’s only healthy! As I open my Mac, thoughts spew and the inspiration is now documented...

Where did I lose myself in this bliss? Have I gotten so far beyond myself that I forget to blog more? Say it ain’t so, nah, def not in my character to forget where the inspiration started?!?! So what is it? I don't know, but...

...Have you ever been so caught up in a moment that your thoughts lead you into arena where words could not conjugate an explanation to describe the feeling? A state where the most important things are neglected because the love for the "new" something becomes the most important thing? CRAZY!! So now you’re juggling a lot of important things. Ummm, yea, about that...I gotta do better!

I guess it’s time to reveal some things that I have been working on over the last few months, huh? I have been busy, lol. I know, I know...I say that at the beginning of every blog right? Lol, so what...it’s the true, now what? *Tilts head and puts the mean grill on*. No really, no lie, I have been putting together this collection and it’s been very interesting. Things are coming along very well! I’ve tackled the hardest pieces (in my opinion) of this collection. Now I'm working on finishing up the rest, working on the logistics of it all. I got a plan and it needs to be executed in the healthiest way!

Spending almost every night in the city at the manufacturers, in fabric stores, trimming stores, going to different events, networking and staying up many nights sketching and thinking just to get the right design. I am excited to show what I have been working on. Let’s just say Jag Saint Joi’s vision is probably clearer than a blind man's imagination...(you might want to think about that, pretty deep, lol).

-Be heard, Bespoken...Jag Saint Joi

Controlled chaotic thoughts...

Hoody covers my head just enough that it falls at top of my eyelids as the light from the Mac illuminates my face. Oh and me, a little cold from the breeze of a cracked window. The wind blows the lit candle and triggers a movement in my shadow reflecting off the wall. Idle for about 5 minutes, Jag Saint Joi bounces off my screen saver, music plays in the background...snaps out of a daze and emotion rushes to my eyes but somehow the output of this emotion ended at my fingertips...

As I write this blog, thoughts are going about, ummm, a mile a minute, literally. Excuse these random thoughts, but the flow of my craft has now settled at my fingertips. This feeling is an emotion that seems to emulate a piece of fabric in-between my hand and my sewing machine: second nature! The thoughts that are transpiring have created a sensation internally that can only be felt by those who have been on this journey with me.

But through this journey, I realized I’m creating this vision and giving insight that no other designer has given. This is something phenomenal; respect my vision! This journey just got real, so real I began to understand the steps that I had already taken were already ordered. The people involved that I’m “meeting along the way” were already there like toll collectors awaiting my arrival: Prophecy! Divine intervention: an innate creativity afforded to me by someone bigger than you and I can imagine...

...but imagine this...getting an email from a very dear friend who believes in you more than you believe yourself. A friend that believes in your story and in your brand, more than you do. I sent a “project” to her for feedback for Jag Saint Joi, her relentless response:

“THIS IS ILL!!! Seriously, F’in ILL!! This is what I see for Jag Saint Joi. This is gritty, in the trenches with the brand. This makes you accessible to the public. We’re part of the movement. Living the Jag Saint Joi lifestyle. I AM DONE!!! This sh*t is SICK!”

...Talk about unprecedented hype and motivation (Thanks Kim)

I’m building up to a crucial story and it’s a reason for this blog...I got something for you but since I’ve release a beast that’s deeper than the crease in a tuxedo pant with leather side strips off a tweed fabric made by Jag Saint Joi, I’ll hold off on THAT story. I will expose the likes of my recent encounter in my next blog. I just served you a platter of Jag Saint Joi in the most vulnerable and innocent state that my angel just might be jealous because this post was so pure at heart.

-Be Heard, Bespoken...Jag Saint Joi

Creative creator...

"Is this really happening", I exclaimed while opening the door to leave the shop. She crossed my path, looked me in the eye, and as a complete stranger, she smiled and said, “Yes, it's happening.” With no idea as to what I was referring too, but she felt my energy and was compelled to supply the confirmation and tell me, "Yes, it's actually happening."

...and at the moment confirmation exemplified it's meaning so validly that it became an emotion. I was left with a smile on my face. It was one of the best and most genuine feelings that I have felt in a while.

The feeling rooted from a 3 hr meeting I had to discuss the merchandising plan for Jag Saint Joi. "Yo, this is a movement and Jag Saint Joi needs to move in the movement, we have the resources. You got it, so give it! The greatest gifts in life aren't the gifts you receive but the gifts you give. Sew seeds bro, literally." *When I heard this come out of his mouth, at this point I was lost for words*

Through the meeting and random conversations at one point he asked, "What's your inspiration?"

Ummm, my inspiration comes from everywhere. I think it's safe to say most of it comes from people, their personalities and way of life.

Well you mentioned your dad and the way he dresses. *In total confusion* I responded, "I think he dresses weird, because he is so structured but yet so unconventional...he is always dressed up but with no where to go, everyday!

He replied, "So you’re telling me he dresses identical to "your guy", the same guy whose lifestyle you want the Jag Saint Joi guy to represent, *but of course with somewhere to go*?" *Caught red handed*

Was my inspiration in front of me for the last 20+ yrs and I never embraced it? Did this guy just decipher the code I had been diligently seeking for years?

*Tilts head and looks up* I think the man that created the man that created me, just created a creative monster that will create creative creations just because the creator created me and allowed me to create this creative creation called Jag Saint Joi. So unconventional... read it again, and again...and again and I promise you'll process it. If not please inquire within *drops mic and walks away*. Watch me fly with no wings.

Humble Beginnings...

Through the last few weeks I have been a zombie. It seems like the days have gotten shorter and the nights even shorter. No one ever told me success and fulfilling a dream took a great amount of sacrifice. I know this all sounds like a "duh" moment but living in that moment is a lot different from reading it. I'm learning despite the level of talent and passion you have for a dream, hard work pays off only when hard work is put in to pay off not working so hard. And with that said, when I asked this question, I laughed, sat up in my chair at full attention and said, "excuse me while I tell you a secret..."

Why does the world need another Fashion Designer?

The underlying question here is why doesn’t the world need another fashion designer? I believe you know how it feels when you have a burning desire for life that gives you a better reason to wake up than the sun.

Every day is a fortune given, where I am afforded the chance to explore the possibilities within fashion. Not too long ago I found the biggest possibility there is, and realized that I could distinctively inspire others through a world of fabrics, measurements and styles. The world needs another designer because I am on a mission of creative expression with hand-sewn garments that tailor a lifestyle.I don’t know how, but sewing and creating is an innate skill; finding this skill compromised doubt and solidified optimism in my future. That same optimism breathes character into every garment and energizes an inner resilience to stand against inhibition.

My clothing is designed for a unique purpose that allows participation in what I love to categorize as an “Evolution of Confidence;” incorporating a desire through a mixture of fabrics that creates an immaculate piece and tells a story.

I believe that passion needs no validation to be relevant, and for that very reason I am determined to create this brand, this confidence, this lifestyle; that will be a unique vessel, expressing persona through visual interpretation. This is why the world needs another me; a fashion designer of lifestyle.

Need I say more?

Do I really need to blog on this? This has been a three day feat and quite frankly I feel like my job here is done. Pictures tells stories so with that...jag saint joi - making of a lifestyle

I'll take two of those...

Ok, I'm done making you wait...Ok ok, just get off me, GET OFF Me. I'll show you...dang! Relax *lol*

Actually, I was done about a week ago, sorry it took so long to post the blog. Sometimes coming up with a blog can be difficult when your mind is everywhere...nonetheless, it's here! I took so long because I love being in control of anticipation. Shhh, but the truth is...I love you guys company, I really do, you should come more often.

But anyhow, you know how I always say that I never know what I want to create, but I always have a vision. I initially planned on using wooden buttons, *toggle buttons* for this jacket. I was looking to do something unethical, out of the ordinary maybe a long trench with a nautical feel, something high-end; jag saint joi'ish. Although that "vision" didn't necessarily happen the way I intended, something even better came of it. In the process of heading to the city to run some errands I walked pass this zipper store in the fashion district, so I went in to entertain the curiosity *curiousity killed the cat but I'm a beast so I had no worries*. I must say this is the part of creating that I love the most; being able to walk into a store unwarranted and picking up hardware and accessories that can change the entire dynamic of a garment: bliss! I appreciate the craft to the fullest to say the least.

Well, back to the story. I stopped into the store with no idea what to get *well I had an inkling* but not that much of an inkling. I was in here lost, but through it all I looked up and found myself focused on...zippers, huh, zippers? No, I want buttons...wooden buttons. Soooo, I grabbed a red zipper, a drawstring for the hoodie (oops, I think I just spoiled it)...and the rest is pretty much history.

So, what do you think? You like? Because I LOVE IT! Don't lie to yourself...this jacket is DOPE and I made sure of it.

Its jag saint joi...making of a lifestyle, it’s soo difficult to suppress this passion to create a style that is essential for breath. I guess I try to articulate a lifestyle for everybody but I am coming to realize that...It ain't for everybody!

OK....I will post the rest of the pics tomorrow. There's more details because the details are ALWAYS in the garment...did you think that was it? Silly kid, this is what I was destined to do.

Construction Zone...Men at Work

Halfway there! Are you guys still with me? This is when the story really begins. This is when I began messing up and things start to get dicey. Blood is boiling and frustration is peaking. I don’t even think words on paper *or screen* can even explain how mad I am at this point. Why is this NOT coming out right? Why does this look like trash? I don’t even care anymore, lol *baby temper-tantrum, you know how you tell yourself you don’t care but in actuality you are maaaaadddd), well yea I was mad, lol!

This is day 2 and I needed to finish this! I must finish this. Well, nope, not happening! Clearly my sewing machine had it out for me, it was not cooperating nor was my idea coming to fruition. I had spent days and probably wasted a roll of thread on nothing. I had nothing to show but a pinned up garment, a garment that wasn’t even dope (at the time). It was so standard, lol, I give up; I need to just start over.

...WHAT!!!! Quit and start from scratch, umm no! Sometimes you have to make the “best” out of a bad situation. So I did just that! I made the “best” jacket I’ve probably ever made out of a poorly constructed garment. My motivation is sometimes stemmed from my will to be meticulous, prideful and a perfectionist. “I know I can do this, I had a vision and if I don’t complete it - it would have forever been a failed mission.” So, now I have to finish what I sought out to do.

The previous weekend I met a very dope guy by the name of Tafiq...dope guy! He said dude, “designing is problem solving and when you have solved the consumers problem you have design!” *screwed up face with confusion written all over it* that is just silly! Ok, this blog is done, that statement alone is something that should carry you through next week. Catch me tomorrow, I’m done, no really, I’m done. jag saint joi...making of a lifestyle. *drops mic and walks away*

Get Fresh Campaign - Pt. 1

Random Person: Sir, I love your shirt it’s really nice
Me: *Frazzled and in a complete daze* Thank you, Thank you very much. I really appreciate it

...Yep, you guessed it, that’s it, that’s all that happened *confused face*. I said nothing in repsonse but thank you. Can you believe that? Me? Said NOTHING? Weird?


So many things could have stemmed from that compliment but since I was caught off guard and completely shocked, I missed the opportunity. Did I just allowed this moment to past me? I think I did *guess you can’t live in the moment forever...so I didn’t*. Don't get me wrong, it's not that it took that compliment to make me realized this jag saint joi is dope; it took my inability at that moment to sell facts to a complete stranger, a stranger that was obviously digging by my designs *drops head*Ok, that was random *it was a soft spot*, lol, but back to jag saint joi. Do you remember the floral shorts I posted in “Sniff sniff, Ahhh...I smell Fresh"? Well, after I finished those floral shorts, I started a new piece. I told myself I would take my time with this piece, no games! It has to dope...this has to be another classic peice!


Remember the second piece of fabric that I purchased from "For the love of Fabric" post? This fabric is the same crazy upholstery fabric, something not meant to be worn on a human’s body, lol. I laid the pattern out and unrolled the fabric...

A.O. (Lil Bro): Man, this is crazy how you’re creating something from this.

Me: From what?

A.O.: Nothing, a flat piece of fabric!

Me: *Laughs and continues to cut...can’t let spectators mess up the flow, lol*

I’m on a roll and the way this fabric is laid out I didn’t have enough fabric to finish off the top of my sleeve *blood is boiling*.

Me: Bro what should I do, i'm out of fabric

A.O.: I don’t know

Me: Oh, Oh...I’ll use the denim I copped from "Ring around my collar" post

A.O.: Yea, that’ll be dope (You have to remember he’s the King of Cool)

I continue to cut and the creative juices are flowing. I decided that I would make a jacket; despite the color combination I will wear it this fall and spring. The idea I had in my head was an ummmm, a mid-thigh length safari jacket, some sick hardware and collar, leather trimming with a waistband drawstring. Oh my goodnesss!!! This will be insane. *how do I could up with this stuff, I have NO clue but I do, lol*. I begin to cut out the fabric...ok, ok; scissors to fabric, there’s no turning back now.

For the love of Fabric...

Please forgive me...crazy week and weekend. Traveling for work, lil bro was in-town and he was able to witness greatness from jag saint joi first-hand and I must say he came to my town and showed me around, lol. Thanks Bro! But, crazy things popped of this week (end), something that I could not even make up if I wanted to. Funny how word-of-mouth is still the greatest form of marketing.

Well, I’m convinced this is what I was cut out to do, you know...sewing, creating and designing. When I can go into a fabric store because I’m bored and leave with an unconventional fabric, a fabric that was woven for something totally different than the purpose I used it for...that’s when you become a designer: improvise. It baffles me to this day that this innate talent was suppressed for 20+ years, it’s all good because I’m a firm believer that nothing is given to you before your time or even before your mental capacity has the ability to accept and appreciate it. And with that said...






The same day I bought the fabric for my floral shorts, I kinda didn’t tell the whole story *shy’s away*. I bought more fabric! I purposely kept this a secret but I KNEW it was going to turn out to be something incredible*Safe to say...it is*. So I pulled my camera out to take a picture and mistakenly started to record. EUREKA!!!! *It’s time to switch the blog up. Try something new, step into 2010*

So over the next few days I will sporadically post pictures and videos of the piece I’m working on as a mini-series to display creation and concept of making a dope garment. I am going to let you sit on pins and needles for a day as I breakdown this epic season in a series of dopeness...trust, grab some popcorn *stand up kettle corn lovers* this right here is the making of

...jag saint joi...I’m so sincere about this I get cold chills in 100 degree weather.

Sniff sniff, ahhh...FRESH

...Sometimes you gotta stop and smell the roses. I did, but this time I decided to wear them. Yep, I said it! I wore them. I challenged myself last week, time was my opponent. The challenge was to time myself on how fast I could finish a piece, a dope piece. I put so much time into my pieces that I’ve never timed myself. I had a 3-4 hour window to sew something to wear for a rooftop party I had to go to on Friday. *yea, I know I’m fancy huh, lol*

Well, I got caught up in the store; fabric store that is...to the point where I was looking for fabric in the upholstery section of the joint *who shops there but grandma’s looking to re-upholster their chairs*

I was lost like an American tourist in Brazil during carnival: travesty. But during my impromptu detour in the wrong section of the fabric store, my creative 6th sense kicked in...I immediately stepped back, dropped my head in deep thought, envisioned and BOOM, I grab a canvas piece of fabric; “Excuse me ma’am can I have 2 yards of this, thanks”.

She looks at me and asks “why are you so excited?”

I responded, “Give me 3 reasons not to be happy and I’ll buy all the fabric you have in this store.” She laughed and cut my 2 yards...

As I’m leaving the store she yells,” I want to see what you make out of it and she laughs!” And me being me, I laughed, looked back, pointed at her laptop and said goggle me and I’ll show you everyone else who’s wearing it...

I get home and the heat is on, I started cutting my fabric at 3pm and at 6:23pm I was ironing my floral print shorts with leather trim, took a pic, hopped in the shower on the 25th hour and made it to the rooftop party. Trekked all the way there just so the guy at the door could tell me...”sir at 9pm we have a strict dress code and I will have to ask you to leave at that time.” I said, "that’s fine!"

Safe to say, in NY dress codes don’t apply when dopeness is the standard, I left the party at my will at 12am.

Jag saint joi...join the movement or watch me move!

Parallel Universe...

It’s too often that I hop the train to the city when I go on excursions and embark on different ventures; aimlessly walking through the city. I’m mostly trekking to fabric stores, an event or what I like to call “randomium”. But during the train ride it's like I immediately put myself in someone else’s shoes or even back in my own; sort of like an out-of-body experience: surreal. During these train rides I feel like I’m completely out of control of what happens between my pick up and drop off location. I start as a blank canvas, go through this tunnel, an underground world where nothing is seen but yet and still I look out the window...thinking, wondering, meditating about what...what could be or what WILL be. Am I the only one that does that...looks out the window and wonders? *Maybe so, but you’re not cooler than me. I take that back we’re all cool in our own way, I just think my cool is slightly cooler, lol*

This ride feels like a parallel universe! I LOVE and wish I could experience this daily because when I’m in this underground world, creativity re-invents itself and the left side of the brain kicks into gear like adrenaline before a foot race, big speech or what about when the girl/guy next door that everybody likes actually acknowledges your presence: optimism.

It’s actually soothing knowing that for once I don’t have to think for someone else, think if the driver next to me will hop lanes, I can blur out the background noise and close my eyes without repercussions. I enjoy the sounds of people, experiencing their fashion choices, like a conglomerate of ideas...overjoy at its finest.

By the time I’ve reach my stop, I’ve reached a capacity that requires a camera to envision and capture the essence of this underground world, this parallel universe I’ve created on this full canvas that was blank at the start: collage...the making of a lifestyle...jag saint joi. It ain't for everybody.

Oh, after the excursion...I went to the fabric store. One word: Suede!

Allow me to re-introduce myself...

Hello, my name is jag saint joi and I’m addicted to FLY!

I guess all good things don’t have to come to an end. So, I thought it was time for me to start “fresh”...I guess I’ll go ahead and re-introduce myself *smiles hard*. Ok, I’m done! I think that’s more than enough fresh for the day *smiles and tilts head in innocence*.

Why re-introduce myself? Well, a lot has happened over the last few months and I’ve learned a lot and did more than I thought I could. Lived in the moment, stepped back watch the moment pass, jumped at the moment, got pushed back... I’ve done it all. Turned over a few leaves and met awesome people, got re-acquainted with my love for fashion and art. Found inspiration and it flowed through my body and shook my nerves; you know, like a cold chill on a 98-degree day: abnormality.

But often times for me, through this journey these types of things are needed. It assists in my creativity. Helps to be sad, mad, lonely and depressed – happy, blessed, favored and vehement in my daily disciplines of overachieving. It helps create the inner tenacity, the tenacity hidden deep down in the pits of my soul.

But what better way then to re-create jag saint joi...I’m here! I’ve “blurred out the background” and went through some “transgressions” but through it all my “happy place” is where I found the “ring around my collar”, threw on a neck tie for my big day, you know..the re-introduction ceremony. I can feel it like a blind man feels his way through life...touching and feeling the seams and hems of a garment to find that one "fresh" piece; that’s why I create “fresh” pieces because with both eyes close you’d still “feel” jag saint joi...CATCH UP YO, whew! I’m done.

Ring around my collar...

Lol, yo the shirt is CRAZY! I can see the finish line and its leather *shocked face*. So, I told you that I love anticipation but only when I’m in control, of course, lol. I could not hold out any longer I had to show the shirt and I’m about 95% done. It’s classic and timeless definitely going in the jag saint joi archive. I will say out of all of my pieces that I’ve sewn I’m really proud of this one. Solely because it’s a milestone for me. Taking a hiatus from sewing and not even looking at my machine for months, then coming back to and sewing such a difficult piece. Sewing leather is confirmation that I am designed for this. I create, design and deliver promises son! Pieces that make me (and you) feel good about actually using my God-given talents...this is what I love to do and I will only to get better in time.
I was able to see further than the giant when I was standing on his “shoulder”. But please don’t get me wrong, it was very difficult but I pushed through it and I think I delivered. Well actually, I know I delivered; I’m not even going to sell myself short. I DIG IT!! When you see me out with it on, act like you don’t know me because I’m telling you now and on THIS day, today, lol...I WILL act like I don’t know you, lol, because the shirt is just that dope!

I say I’m 95% done because I initially had this vision for plastics buttons, you know something simple and classic, nothing to overt. As I’m rummaging through my button stash looking for a clear plastic button, a leather button oh so conveniently pops up *I almost went nuts at 2am in the morning when I saw that button, I was so geeked*. The button matched the trimming and accents so well, I stop production for this introduction into a world of freshness. It was an induction ceremony for that button, lol. I literally sat there for 10 mins beyond ecstatic but yet sooo mad because I only had one...the woooorst! I was livid but with a smile on my face *you know, like when it’s your surprise birthday party and your mom invited Jimmy, knowing good and well you HATE this kid and she got the side eye* yea, I was that kinda of livid but with a smile. And the results are in...

But, I really love detail, not too much but just enough to prove a point and to subtly request attention with NO words...I deliver? Maybe not? Nah, you’re lying, I know I did. *Don’t even know why I asked that question*. I'm so focused, blurring out the background, got tunnel vision right now, Ugh, it's nasty. I LOVE THIS!!!