Conversations with the Inspiring Jelisa Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jelisa Brown.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Honestly, I started off as a performer. My mother would sign me up for acting camps at the Beverly Arts Center where we performed Grease as well as foot loose and other theatrical shows. The theater was embedded in me. I even wanted to be an opera singer at one point but, I was very shy and couldn’t sing solo with all eyes on me I have stage fright (that wasn’t gonna work). So, with that being said, I started taking classes at Hancock fabrics making Pajama pants and remember being so frustrated with sewing it was THE WORST. Not completely giving up on my dreams of singing, I went to The Choir Academy which was a Charter school located on the south side of Chicago where music was the main focus alongside of academics. It was a school centered around music for young music lovers studying instruments like Piano, flutes, drums (percussion), etc. I even got the pleasure to travel all over the world like Japan, Mackinaw Island, and Canada. The Choir Academy is what really shaped me in becoming who I am today. I met very talented people and even became a lot more disciplined and even focused. Being that my mom and stepdad were very enthusiastic and involved in the arts and wanted me to express myself During the summertime they put me in camps at the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Arts). Taking fashion design classes, learning more and exploring my creativity through art making and art making practices. I LOVED IT. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. I don’t want to sound cliche but ever since then, I was hooked although I still wasn’t too fond of sewing still. Then, high school came, where I participated in after school matters which I had to submit a portfolio to get into the program and was selected for the fashion design Program. I learned so much and grew better with knowing how to use my sewing machine and expand technical skills that were key to my making. I built my portfolio and even went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for the Early college program and then finally to receive my bachelors in fine arts.

SAIC taught me how to use my gift conceptually ( this is when my work got deep) I started digging deep down in myself and even evaluating my feelings and or hardships and putting it into my work. Things were happening around me at the time that was unexplainable for example my 12-year-old brother committing suicide the day after my 19th birthday and 9 months later, my father getting shot and killed on the south side of Chicago. I began to make cathartic work meaning using my work as a form of release/releasing all my emotions into my work. Which was, in my opinion, my strongest.

Shortly after college, I met with owner of a plus-size boutique located in Beverly called Curve Culture Boutique Qiana Allen who gave me my biggest break ever she was very supportive and hired me to not only work at the boutique but also design for the boutique for our annual Culture of Curves fashion show I was delighted we did a line that was a collaboration where she financially backed the project and let me make my first debut as a fashion designer to the world. We did the collaboration two years in a row. Last year, I was on my own. I created a line representing me and my love for African musicians, Afro beats and Ghanaian culture.

And now, I’m here, lol, making custom garments. Perfecting my craft one day at a time.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As I am not perfect nor am I where I want to be and have a lot more growing to do. It has not been a smooth road. I’d be lying if I said it has there are a myriad of struggles I’ve encountered with my brand from time management, money, and even dealing with difficult clients who don’t always see your vision through. But then again, struggles are a part of life and that’s what makes me thrive and keeps me wanting more.

Some advice I would give to other women would be DON’T GIVE UP. Keep striving NO MATTER WHAT. If you are passionate about something and you want it, NOTHING OR NO ONE CAN STOP YOU. There are often times where I feel overwhelmed and like I’m just done but, I move past that I’ve invested way too much time to give up now.

What should we know about AsiL NworB? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am an African American fashion designer known for encouraging men and women of all sizes to explore the unexplored territory in fashion. like using non-conventional methods or materials through making.

What sets me apart from others as I designer is I treat every customer as if we are collaborating. I am very much involved with my customers and I like them to be very involved as I make. I want them to feel like they were a huge part of my making process. Sometimes, I get the customer to join me in my studio as they watch me create their piece. A lot of designers are very cold and very standoff. My work ethic is much different.

I am most proud of my current work. I am focusing on ready to wear but also dramatic plus size fashion is that I am plus size myself it is liberating. I love to design for plus size women we are “Winning” we are being celebrated because we are not average. Not saying that working with straight sizes are boring or anything, it’s just something about my plus size women that bring my clothing to life. Although I do make men clothing and children clothing, I am most proud of my plus size collections.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
The biggest barrier is that we don’t support each other unless we know one another. We don’t come together and do shows or have events. Especially, in the Chicago fashion scene, we’d rather work on our own and act like we don’t see each other and break each other down. We strive off being the best when in all actuality, we are all pretty dope in our own way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.asilnworb.com
• Email: jelisabrown@asilnworb.com
• Instagram: @asil_nworb_designs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asilnworbdesigns/

Image Credit:
Kendra tate IG: @kltartbykendro, Jelisa Brown- IG: @asil_nworb_designs, KP Photography, Johannil Napoleon-IG: @jn_artist, model: Ashley, Model: Shacara Terrell, Arris Tolbert

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