Taylor Jay Collection: Empowering and Inclusive for all Shapes

FOUNDER AND CEO, TAYLOR JAY, BEGAN DESIGNING FASHION FOR HERSELF DURING A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF HER WOMANHOOD WHEN HER BODY WAS CHANGING SIGNIFICANTLY IN SIZE AND SHAPE, AND THE FASHION INDUSTRY DIDN’T CATER TO HER JOURNEY. SHE SOON DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER WOMEN SHARED THE SAME EXPERIENCE, AND WHAT BEGAN AS A JOURNEY OF SELF-DISCOVERY HAS BECOME A PROMISE TO ALL WOMEN TO EMPOWER THEM WITH CLOTHING THAT WILL ADAPT TO THEIR EVOLUTION. MEET TAYLOR JAY COLLECTION...

How did your personal journey lead you to fashion entrepreneurship?

Fashion has always been my outlet and way of expression when life was not always so great clothing and thrifting brought me joy! I always dreamed of opening a thrift style boutique and so I opened a shop and that was how it all began! Why did you choose to produce in Oakland as opposed to overseas?

Because pouring into my community and my home is just NECESSARY in my opinion I couldn't see it any other way honestly! What is your relationship like with your manufacturing facility? We have a very good relationship.

They actually call me their "black daughter". They support my growth and it's a team effort!

Do you have a muse? What/who inspires your designs?

My customers and the many women who desire and deserve to be comfortable are my muse and my inspiration! Why did you choose to create consciously?

Organic growth and movement. Everything naturally unfolded. It was and will always be God's plan not mine. Inclusion is a core value of Taylor J Collection. Can you speak more to how your brand is cultivating this?

We make it a point to intentionally not leave women behind. We design for tall/curvy/short/mature/young/and women that are living in the journey of womanhood.

What are some of your most favorite fabrics to use and why?

I love french terry, tencel and of course cotton! My relationship and history with cotton as a black woman contributes to that. 

How is Taylor J working towards a zero waste future?

What does that look like? We use reclaimed fabric and reuse our fabric in many ways! 

What advice would you give to designers starting out? 

Learn and study and never stop learning. Then get started... the journey is long, but you will never know if you don't begin. Identify who your customer is and what they have in common with your design aesthetic.. find a way to bridge them both and create pieces that will SELL! 

Images provided by Taylor J Collection