Today we’d like to introduce you to John Thompson.
Hi John, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started making art when I was around four years old in my mother’s hair salon. Art has always been in my life and around me growing up. My eyes would watch the women around me get dressed and create things that made them feel beautiful. I decided to make a career in fashion when the person who inspired me, my grandmother passed away. My celebrity client was Fantasia when I was 15. I went to college and had some difficulties around the time of leaving school. That ensured my passion for making clothes. Now I work with Alist who are making history in pop culture. I’m grateful to have my art seen of them today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road for me. I was raised by a single mom and I was by being the oldest a substitute parent for my younger sisters. We had ups and downs with finances and that pattern rubbed off on me. I was the first to go to college in my family and I notice that broke some family curses. Dealing with finances in a business has thought me to grow and break cycles. Fashion cost a lot and I love making luxury things so I had to learn to balance out my spending to grow my business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in couture. Some may think my craft is in the costume world but I feel like my art is not a custom. I look at every piece that makes as a sculpture. Some pieces are super detailed and some are more simplistic. My favorite materials to work with are crystals and feathers. My favorite moment are the wings I made for Billie Eilish when I was working at mother plucker feathers. The amount of work to make vegan wings was next level. That repair me to create with one of my favorite clients today Beyoncé. I think I’m great at tailoring, designing and art. Combining all those skills to keeps me working with the best entertainers.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happy is creating. Knowing that I will possibly get a project today that will challenge me is what I live for.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jolleson.com
- Instagram: Jolleson
