By Cheyenne Walker

 Milan, Paris, and New York, are the usual cities where designers showcase their new lines for the season, but this week Columbus will play host to a Fashion Showcase of its own. 

With designs by House of Baboski, Rusted Custom Apparel, Designs by Winborn, Revamp by Barb Wallace, Devious Designs, Michael Schundo, Akira Takashi, and Jwork Limited, Friday, September 12, the Capital City will become the Capital of Fashion.

As host of this years’ showcase, Jwork Limited’s goal is to garner more attention for the fashion scene in the Midwest by starting a nationwide tour and creating a fashion weekend in Columbus.   In the midst of their hectic schedules, they sat down with me to talk about their love for fashion.

It was a desire for individuality and change that ignited Jermaine Jenkins, Andre Wilson, and Darrell Hunter, three twenty-something’s, to begin JWORK Limited, a men’s clothing and apparel company.  “It was something we always talked about,” says Andre Wilson, 28, Chief Operating Officer.  “We began by designing basketball jerseys and as soon as we returned from our deployments we started the business.” 

Always wanting to create his own style and stand out from the crowd, Jermaine Jenkins, 27, Chief Executive Officer, recalls fashion design being a hobby initially, but the seed of entrepreneurship being planted by one his friends.  “One of my agent friends told me [with my fashion sense] that I should start a business.”  Not really giving the idea of a business much thought, after being deployed in Iraq, Jenkins returned with a company name and ready to see his designs on the runway.

Being in the Army gave Wilson and Jenkins the ability to travel the world and in doing so they were able to see fashion trends globally and incorporate those things into their designs here in the United States.  “I would describe [our designs] as couture,” comments Wilson. “Our line is exclusive retail, including denim jeans, tee-shirts, and polo shirts.”  Experimenting with women’s fashion, Lady J, a women’s clothing line has also been added as a sister company to JWORK Limited.  This line showcases dresses, jeans, and shirts, with pumps, soon to come.

“I think that the thing about Columbus is that it is fine to be different, okay to speak out, it’s okay to stand outside the box and think outside the box,” says Jenkins, commenting on Columbus’ preparedness for  fashion.  “I think we are very fashionable people, and we have a lot of talent here that is undiscovered, but people don’t give it the time of day.”  Regardless of this feeling Team Jwork is geared up to see their vision of creating a weeklong celebration of fashion and Columbus culture to the end.

Graduates of Columbus City Schools, Jermaine and Andre, are also using this opportunity to give back to the community.  A percentage of all ticket sales will be allocated for a scholarship fund that will be awarded to a high school senior with aspirations of furthering their education in fashion design.  “With this show, it will give someone the opportunity that we did not have.  It will give someone the opportunity to receive extra money [for their education],” comments, Wilson.

The fashion show will not only exhibit the designs of Columbus designers, but will also have a variety of live performances.  “People should expect the unexpected,” says Wilson. The C.O. Tour Fashion Showcase will take place on Friday, September 12th at Karma Nightlife and begins at 8PM.  Veterans, with proof of service, will be admitted free of charge. 

Mention Columbusblack.com at the door and admission is only $20.