 |
 | |  | |  | |  |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
for 2 years, but it was her designs that grabbed the attention of her design tutor Christina Barry, who encouraged
Amonoo, to pursue a career in fashion design. Amonoo, thankfully took her advice and was accepted into the
Surrey Institute of Art & Design BA Honors fashion design course and it was there that this design star was born.
FashionQandA.com is excited to introduce you to this passionate designer. Now get ready to experience the
feminine frenzy that is jo-leene, a line with so much potential to be a household name.
Amonoo, to pursue a career in fashion design. Amonoo, thankfully took her advice and was accepted into the
Surrey Institute of Art & Design BA Honors fashion design course and it was there that this design star was born.
FashionQandA.com is excited to introduce you to this passionate designer. Now get ready to experience the
feminine frenzy that is jo-leene, a line with so much potential to be a household name.
The designs on this page are from
the jo-leene Autum/Winter
collection which is reminiscent of
a 60s St. Tropez love story
incorporated with footprints of
New York high fashion
the jo-leene Autum/Winter
collection which is reminiscent of
a 60s St. Tropez love story
incorporated with footprints of
New York high fashion
In your bio, you assert that you were born with a love for fashion and
design. Looking back at the various stages of your life how has your
sense of style evolved? Do you still love the colors and fabrics you
embraced in your early childhood as in your adulthood?
JANICE: Definitely. I think that color always changes your mood; it has a
deep impact on how you can feel. I love the look and the feel of luxury
fabrics such as silk chiffons, printed and bead incrusted fabrics and
Swarovskis. My mother used to wear traditional Ghanaian outfits and I
used many of the bright and vivid colors now that I remember seeing as
a child.
When you are hard at work in your design room and get an urge for a
break or distraction, to what or to whom do you turn?
JANICE: My mother. She has a calming, soothing effect on me. I don’t
believe there is any other therapy than those who are closest to you.
She is my rock. To anyone starting out in the industry, you have to do
this for love, not money. Surround yourself by people you need, not by
people you THINK you will need.
Name one brand of jeans, shoes, handbags and clothing you can’t
live without?
JANICE: Ohhhh god! So many influential designs and brands out there.
Nobody Denim for Denim for their outrageously fabulous cuts; Miu Miu
for their fierce footwear; Chanel for their bank breaking must have bags
and clothing... Can I say my own????
What role, if any, does your Ghanaian roots and sub-culture play in
your creativity and design process?
JANICE: Majorly! You always fall back to your roots, the colors on the
wax batik fabrics and how the colors are assembled together as quite
often they really don’t match, but that’s exactly how they work. I adore
taking time out to stroll around the vintage shops and mull over the
African prints from the 60s and 70s. I always have my i-pod on and
enjoy a cappuccino. Sooo therapeutic.
design. Looking back at the various stages of your life how has your
sense of style evolved? Do you still love the colors and fabrics you
embraced in your early childhood as in your adulthood?
JANICE: Definitely. I think that color always changes your mood; it has a
deep impact on how you can feel. I love the look and the feel of luxury
fabrics such as silk chiffons, printed and bead incrusted fabrics and
Swarovskis. My mother used to wear traditional Ghanaian outfits and I
used many of the bright and vivid colors now that I remember seeing as
a child.
When you are hard at work in your design room and get an urge for a
break or distraction, to what or to whom do you turn?
JANICE: My mother. She has a calming, soothing effect on me. I don’t
believe there is any other therapy than those who are closest to you.
She is my rock. To anyone starting out in the industry, you have to do
this for love, not money. Surround yourself by people you need, not by
people you THINK you will need.
Name one brand of jeans, shoes, handbags and clothing you can’t
live without?
JANICE: Ohhhh god! So many influential designs and brands out there.
Nobody Denim for Denim for their outrageously fabulous cuts; Miu Miu
for their fierce footwear; Chanel for their bank breaking must have bags
and clothing... Can I say my own????
What role, if any, does your Ghanaian roots and sub-culture play in
your creativity and design process?
JANICE: Majorly! You always fall back to your roots, the colors on the
wax batik fabrics and how the colors are assembled together as quite
often they really don’t match, but that’s exactly how they work. I adore
taking time out to stroll around the vintage shops and mull over the
African prints from the 60s and 70s. I always have my i-pod on and
enjoy a cappuccino. Sooo therapeutic.
What distinctive features separate your line from others seen on the clothing racks this season?
JANICE: Colors! For this collection there are lots of colors - chocolate browns, mustard tones and metallics. I have tried to steer away
from the traditional black used each winter.
Many top designers have made a name for themselves by not only creating fabulous designs, but also cultivating an image and
media personality. How would you describe your personality, and what traits of your personality are reflected in your designs?
JANICE: I would say that I have a quiet and easy-going personality. I am a deep thinker and traditionally have a folk side of me. I feel this
is reflected in my collections.
JANICE: Colors! For this collection there are lots of colors - chocolate browns, mustard tones and metallics. I have tried to steer away
from the traditional black used each winter.
Many top designers have made a name for themselves by not only creating fabulous designs, but also cultivating an image and
media personality. How would you describe your personality, and what traits of your personality are reflected in your designs?
JANICE: I would say that I have a quiet and easy-going personality. I am a deep thinker and traditionally have a folk side of me. I feel this
is reflected in my collections.
When and why did you decide to create jo-leene, and what does the name jo-leene mean to you?
JANICE: I used to have a market stall in a brick lane where I sold my clothes and one day I was inspired by vinyl
covers from the 60s and 70s. I wanted a name that I felt captured the essence of this time and Jo-leene was one
of many that I felt did this.
What is one of the toughest challenges that emerging UK designers, such as yourself, face when building a
brand name in a very competitive international market? What measures have you taken to overcome such
challenges?
JANICE: I think that it boils down to finances, but if you really believe in something you would do anything it takes
to get it. In the process I have had to get a bank loan and re-mortgage my home to make this work. Another is
making people believe in your brand as much as you do, but this comes from powerful PR.
JANICE: I used to have a market stall in a brick lane where I sold my clothes and one day I was inspired by vinyl
covers from the 60s and 70s. I wanted a name that I felt captured the essence of this time and Jo-leene was one
of many that I felt did this.
What is one of the toughest challenges that emerging UK designers, such as yourself, face when building a
brand name in a very competitive international market? What measures have you taken to overcome such
challenges?
JANICE: I think that it boils down to finances, but if you really believe in something you would do anything it takes
to get it. In the process I have had to get a bank loan and re-mortgage my home to make this work. Another is
making people believe in your brand as much as you do, but this comes from powerful PR.
There has been a lot of buzz about the lack of ethnic models on the runways recently, with top model stars like Naomi Campbell
speaking out on the issue. As a woman of color and a designer, what do you feel can be done to diversify the runway? What type
of models do you want gracing your catwalk and why?
JANICE: From black to white fashion should have no particular color. If fashion doesn’t, why should the models? It’s the 21st century
and anything goes.
In terms of facilitating a way for women to feel confident about themselves and in their skin, what positive or empowering
message do you feel embodies the Jo-leen woman and the spirit of your designs?
JANICE: The easy flow of the fabrics. I created many chiffon outfits, which are just so sensual that they ooze femininity and skim over the
body. Chiffon is such an easy fabric to wear as it hides a multitude of sins. Fashion is about expressing so much and I hope that my
designs allow people to celebrate their freedom in this day and age.
Are there any exciting projects you are working on that you want to share with the FashionQandA.com readers? What’s next for
Jo-leen as we get closer to a New Year approaching?
JANICE: Hahaha, I am looking at doing many things. I am in talks with some cosmetic companies to collaborate and do some limited
edition packaging. I long to hook up with another designer and bring a limited edition collection out, but watch this space the
spring/summer collection we will be bringing you African black and white prints mixed with monochrome, bright reds, peach tones and
a lot more Swarovski crystals.
speaking out on the issue. As a woman of color and a designer, what do you feel can be done to diversify the runway? What type
of models do you want gracing your catwalk and why?
JANICE: From black to white fashion should have no particular color. If fashion doesn’t, why should the models? It’s the 21st century
and anything goes.
In terms of facilitating a way for women to feel confident about themselves and in their skin, what positive or empowering
message do you feel embodies the Jo-leen woman and the spirit of your designs?
JANICE: The easy flow of the fabrics. I created many chiffon outfits, which are just so sensual that they ooze femininity and skim over the
body. Chiffon is such an easy fabric to wear as it hides a multitude of sins. Fashion is about expressing so much and I hope that my
designs allow people to celebrate their freedom in this day and age.
Are there any exciting projects you are working on that you want to share with the FashionQandA.com readers? What’s next for
Jo-leen as we get closer to a New Year approaching?
JANICE: Hahaha, I am looking at doing many things. I am in talks with some cosmetic companies to collaborate and do some limited
edition packaging. I long to hook up with another designer and bring a limited edition collection out, but watch this space the
spring/summer collection we will be bringing you African black and white prints mixed with monochrome, bright reds, peach tones and
a lot more Swarovski crystals.
Are you inspired by art and music, and if so, by which artist and/or musician do you feel captivated
by right now and why?
JANICE: Old music inspires me, from easy listening 1976 to Diana Ross/Motown, to the Lady Standing
There on the afro jazz cover from the 60s era. These days there is so much out there which can
captivate you in so many ways, but definitely the originals!
by right now and why?
JANICE: Old music inspires me, from easy listening 1976 to Diana Ross/Motown, to the Lady Standing
There on the afro jazz cover from the 60s era. These days there is so much out there which can
captivate you in so many ways, but definitely the originals!
 |
Leave it to the Brits to produce some of the most compelling and
innovative fashions of our time. The UK is a fashion mecca with
some of the world’s top talents, just waiting in the streets of
London to be discovered. Luckily for UK designer, Janice Amonoo,
the fashion gods have decided to shine on her immaculately
crafted line dubbed jo-leene. The jo-leene silhouette will
immediately capture the attention of any woman who takes pride
and honor in looking flawlessly put together, yet disheveled and
über cool. Amonoo, selects fabrics that she believes tell a story
and finds inspiration from her Ghanaian roots and the theatrical
edge of African attire. Perfecting her skills at the London College
of Fashion, Amonoo, studied hair and makeup for fashion styling
innovative fashions of our time. The UK is a fashion mecca with
some of the world’s top talents, just waiting in the streets of
London to be discovered. Luckily for UK designer, Janice Amonoo,
the fashion gods have decided to shine on her immaculately
crafted line dubbed jo-leene. The jo-leene silhouette will
immediately capture the attention of any woman who takes pride
and honor in looking flawlessly put together, yet disheveled and
über cool. Amonoo, selects fabrics that she believes tell a story
and finds inspiration from her Ghanaian roots and the theatrical
edge of African attire. Perfecting her skills at the London College
of Fashion, Amonoo, studied hair and makeup for fashion styling
 | |  |