This is the beginning of something new and something amazing.
When you have a gift that keeps calling, eventually you answer. Even when it gives you butterflies, you keep pursuing what that gift is. I've been creating for a very long time. I've had my ups and downs, but the one thing that always kept me going is knowing that this is something I created — something that's all mine.
Why not live life living your dream? Life is too short. And when you have the opportunity to follow that path, you follow it and don't look back.
That's what I'm doing.
So welcome to my journal — the diary of my new brand, Lolly J. This one means more to me. It's more connected to my artsy side. I love creating details and bringing my ideas to life with no restrictions. Lolly J is for the creative soul who wants handmade pieces with meaning — pieces with a story. With Lolly J, every piece and every capsule will have a story.
This first capsule collection is called The Bridge — because it's the bridge from Cleva Collections, my last brand. My final piece with Cleva was a beautiful kente print fringe duster, and that piece showed me what I'm really capable of creatively. It made me want a brand that feels original — not just prints anyone can buy and duplicate.
But speaking of print — this collection WILL have beautiful Ankara fabric as the lining. It's my tribute to Cleva Collections. And this isn't just any fabric — I got it from the Harlem market in NYC. So it's a little piece of my home sewn into denim sourced here in California, my new home.
That's why it's called The Bridge.
So why denim for the main fabric? Because denim is more versatile — and more fun for me to get creative with. A handmade denim design can do so much: structure, fraying, distressing, washed looks. I can really push it.
This collection is going to be so much fun, and I can't wait for you to get to know each piece.
Talk to you next Friday!