JASMINE ELDER of JIBRI

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Jasmine Elder of JIBRI

Nothing excites me more than a designer who is as spunky as their artistry – and Jasmine Elder of Jibri is just that. While our interview turned into girl-talk- discussing everything from Japanese fashion to Full Figured Fashion Week Jasmine Elder has found a place in my heart with Jibri.

A week prior to our interview, I scoured the net for photos and news about the Atlanta based designer – with tons of results and a slew of images, I became overwhelmed with anxiousness. My eyes fell in love with Jibri. The shapes, the cuts, the colors, the textures, the symmetry – and lets not forget the models –that made each look pop! Sheesh – From site to site, I was courted with enchantment and I was ready to address the woman who evoked such feelings in me. Rocked by Jasmine’s edge to drive fashion forward I could not help but wonder who were her favorite designers, whether or not she looked to mainstream designers for inspiration and what made her step out on a whim to create such a line in such a daunting market.

Unlike any other market the apparel market for curvaceous women is one of which that has been placed on restrictive limitations. While there are countless designers that cater to curvaceous women - many of these designers do not have the marketing power behind them to push themselves to be as infamous as major brands (i.e. - Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart) and so they become locally known AND infamously unknown. That said independent designers who cater to such a barren market – encounter great difficulty in establishing themselves as trendsetters because their following on a national scale is so weak. Fortunately, for Jasmine, she has been able to push Jibri forward accelerating complementary style to trendsetting fashionistas.

Interview by Selina Weekes for M A N I K with Jasmine Elder of Jibri

Favorite designer: John Galliano
Favorite type of music: Electronica!
Favorite color: Green
Fashion peeve: Adults who wear teenie – bopper trends. I don’t like that - Eeeeew I don’t like that – the heavy urban label tags – with the branding all over the clothes. It looks ridiculous.

SW: It’s so nice to finally speak to you – I’ve been anxious to get you on the line. Jibri is rocking! About how long ago did you begin your career as a designer?

memorialwkd09_b JE: I’ve been designing since the age of fifteen. I would sketch and sew.

SW: Cool…and how old are you now – if you don’t mind me asking?

JE: Fifteen of course (laughing). No just kidding. I’m 31

SW: (laugh) At what point did you decide to create a full line for plus women?

JE: I’ve always designed clothes for plus women – however I specifically established Jibri about three years ago back in 2006. It was always something that I wanted to do. But three years ago – the opportunity finally presented itself – and I acted on it – and since I’m plus size it came as a no brainer to create a line for women of my size.

SW: What size are you?

JE: 16/18

SW: How do you develop the concepts for your line? Do you look to mainstream designers to come up with concepts?

JE: Ummm that would probably be the easy way out… I like to build my own concepts. I start with a flat palette. I can’t wait for the trends – I like to create my own trends.

SW: I hear that! (laughing)

grace2 JE: I like to put the trends out before it becomes mainstream. Its funny - sometimes it feels like the plus size consumer wants to wait before a trend hits the mainstream before buying it and then they want it. They don’t want it before everybody else has it - I’ve had so many looks before everyone else had it – and no one would buy it – and then once they saw everyone else had it – that’s when they wanted it. Which is kind of suckie…but that’s what it is.

SW: People like to jump on the bandwagon once they see a trend everyone is leaching onto. I think that comes from us wanting to blend in – with the rest of the world.

JE: Very true – but I gotta say – to my true fashionistas they are never afraid to take a chance. They always want something before any one else has it – and I respect that.

SW: What can we expect to see from your Fall & Winter lines?

JIBRI_RUNWAY_FALL_2009 JE: I like to combine a lot of vintage elements with more modern palettes. So for these lines - I’m really mixing feminity with some hardcore construction so there will be lots of angles & points and a lot of flow – but I gotta stress a lot of structure at the same time. I call it Grace Jones meets Grace Kelly.

SW: Whewwwwww! Nice! I like how that sounds!

JE: (laughs) Thank you!

SW: What colors can we expect to see? What are the main colors throughout the line?

LADY20FOP1 JE: I’m doing a lot of mineral colors for the bases – grays, slates, a few bronze tone pieces and then we’re touching things up with BRIGHT graphics! Bright metallic silvers, paired with plums and rich turquoise. It’s a jeweled toned meets mineral theme.

SW: Would you ever consider doing a line for less like a Target or H&M?

JE: I would love to. I would pick Target for sure – but the thing is I would have to be on such a huge level to do it.

SW: You will get there no worries – it will probably take a lot of patience and much do faith – but you’ll get there I’m sure – Your line has quality, it’s upbeat and trendy.

lady3 JE: Aaaaaaw thank you!

SW: Sooo. If you could choose any designer to work with in collaboration. Who would it be and why?

JE: Betsey Johnson is one of my favorites - I love her vintage elements. I would love to do a really girlie and detailed plus line for Betsey.

SW: Betsey is FUNKY she’s soooo poppin – I love her!

JE: Yes! And it takes a certain kind of woman of any size to be able to pull her looks off.

SW: Where can people pick up your line? I saw there‘s a store in Philly.

JE: I am in in Philly at Nicki London (downtown Philly) and I have an online boutique.

* Check out JIBRI'S ONLINE BOUTIQUE