Hidden Gems: Meet Pierce Ross of Jaxon Pierce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pierce Ross.

Hi Pierce, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been active in the fashion industry for over 20 years. Growing up in Southern California, style is a way of life for me. I was born in South Central Los Angeles, raised in Santa Monica, Marina del Rey and West Hollywood. I studied psychology and sociology at the University of Nevada Lasvegas; To make ends meet I started modeling professionally. Working in the industry, I developed relationships with a lot of influential people in fashion and business. As I was working, I met and became best friends with Jacqueline Quijada referred to as Jax; We were immediately inseparable and bonded over our love of fashion! The one thing I didn’t like was me being the model, I hated getting my hair and makeup done! Being a Black Model was challenging enough plus a lot of MUA’s did not know how to do black hair or makeup coupled with the waiting/sitting around for hours; but I loved all the behind the scenes makings of a garment. I later retired from being in front of the camera in 2012 and took on a love for the art of tailoring and began apprenticing for a few English Master Tailors and styling of background actors for multiple television shows.

In early 2012, I got a full-time job as a styling assistant for a company that styled professional athletes for NBA and NFL. I worked and traveled non stop and was running myself down. Jax and I began tossing ideas about starting a fashion business of our own and started coming up with ideas to start a custom swimwear company + fashion blog named Jax n Pierce. Ultimately their dreams were put on hold as Jax’s life was cut short, she lost a hard-fought battle with cervical cancer in November 2013. Devastated and broken is an understatement in how iI felt. I grieved for a while until one day I got up and said enough and made it my mission to have Jacqualine’s legacy live on through what she loved most…Fashion! With that Jaxon Pierce was born. I established Jaxon Pierce Bespoke at the end of 2014, in its short time in the custom clothing industry the company is producing and delivering superior quality garments with 5 star service. Jaxon Pierce’s garments are hand-cut, stitched and finished in our Los Angeles atelier. I prefer to partner with my clients to create a wardrobe of purpose that reflects their lifestyle.

Through fun, unique, and creative ways. JP is all about designing for a cause in which they align with various charitable organizations, including one that was created from the loss of Jax to garner awareness about cervical cancer called Angels on the frontline, which I am on the board of. “The true reward for my work is seeing the transformations that occur inside my clients after putting on their first Jaxon Pierce ensemble; the feeling of gratitude is immeasurable.”-Pierce Ross

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been far from smooth, lol.

First off being taken seriously as a menswear designer as a woman in a predominately male-driven industry was extremely challenging and still. Being taken seriously by other business professionals, manufacturers and vendors with no prior business experience other than managing my Modeling career was another tall hurdle we had to cross.
Hiring of friends and family as a startup was a huge struggle, I love being with friends and fam any chance I get and thought it would be great to work with them, keep it in the fam. Oh wow, was I WRONG! I had to learn the hard way on that. Don’t do it! Being a black woman in general we put up with a lot of preconceived notions, breaking thru barriers and constantly having to prove myself day in and day out is a challenge. I have sort of embraced when people under estimate me, I like to challenge myself and believe Every challenge presents its self a new opportunity to make ourselves better.

We’ve been impressed with Jaxon Pierce, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jaxon Pierce is an international exclusive bespoke clothing brand, offering the finest custom men’s clothing direct to consumers. Jp offers an exclusive concierge-type service that is committed to accommodating the busy lifestyles of clients by scheduling a personal designer/stylist to meet with you at your place of convenience or by visiting our showroom in Los Angeles where we measure, access your wardrobe challenges, goals and lifestyle. Our mission is to design a wardrobe that evokes confidence, personality and last but not least your personal style without having to think about it! 95% of our garments are produced in Los Angeles using the highest quality fabrics from the finest European and Australian mills.

We specialize in Men’s Suiting, Tuxedos, dress shirts, Cashmere, casual attire, personal shopping and most recently custom golf clothing and womenswear. The last year and a half we’ve ventured into and introduced a new sector of the business. Custom private label golf apparel and merch collaborations with some of the most prestigious golf pro shops around the globe. Which has been extremely challenging and fun at the same time. I feel very blessed being a black designer from S. Central, seeing my designs being displayed at the most beautiful prestigious golf courses and boutiques around the world is a great feeling of accomplishment. I’m very proud of building and fostering of relationships with some of the world’s most elite professionals, athletes, lawyers, royal families and entertainers. Showing up to dress our clients for some of the most important days of their lives, i.e. celebrations, career accolades, weddings, NBA & NFL drafts, awards ceremonies, etc., we go above and beyond to create an unwavering experience to make you look and feel your best on your special day.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up the oldest of five; Growing up, I was sort of like the “cool nerd”. I loved school! I really could not wait to go to sleep and get back to school, I was in all accelerated classes and graduated top 5% of my class. I was also getting into modeling and got a couple of small gigs here and there and then worked at blockbuster and abercrombie at the grove way before it was Nike. I hung out with what would be considered the nerds as well as the jocks, cheerleaders and trouble makers. I guess I’ve always liked to be in the mix of a couple of different groups. My mother, Great granny and grandmother I credit with raising me. My grandmother instilled giving back since I was a kid. I can recall in 5th grade, one of my 1st charity events was feeding the homeless alongside Martin Sheen in Venice beach on Thanksgiving that was so cool and I learned the joy of giving. It sounds cliche’ but I truly love giving/gifting and get as much joy giving as I do receiving. Junior year I joined a charity called K.I.N (Kids in Need) and help mentor and tutor kids less fortunate also helped mentor kids at the boys and girls club. I never partied in school or dated, so when it came to prom, a guy from the boys and girls club offered to take me only to tell me a couple of weeks before prom that he couldn’t go and had a girlfriend; So my mom got me a limo for my girl friends and I but said I better be home by 11pm or else! I got home at 10:30 loll

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.jaxonpiercebespoke.com
• Instagram: @jaxonpiercebespoke

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