SUCCESS STORY

Jessica L. Taylor :

Visionary Behind the Fashion Brand

Just Like That

By Guillaume Jean Lefebvre

Jessica L. Taylor, designer and owner of the fashion brand Just Like That, officially launched her brand in 2014, using her initials "JLT" to create the company name and logo. The logo, featuring a crown and hanger, symbolizes "Fashion Royalty." Born in Lancaster, California, and raised between Los Angeles and Ojai, Jessica’s collections exude a "High-End Hippie" vibe, inspired by her unique background.

Her passion for fashion was deeply influenced by her grandmother, who not only nurtured her interest but also taught her the skills that would later define her career. Jessica’s early love for fashion led her to Lu Ross Cosmetology Academy in Ventura, California, where she honed her skills in hair, makeup, and wardrobe. Her professional journey initially took her into business management and accounting, experiences that proved invaluable when she launched her fashion brand.

A pivotal moment in Jessica’s career came when she began receiving invitations to participate in fashion weeks. This exposure opened doors for her to collaborate with models, agencies, photographers, and magazines, propelling her brand into the spotlight. To date, Jessica’s work has been featured in over 141 magazines, with 174 covers across 32 countries, making her a significant force in the fashion industry.

Jessica approaches her work with meticulous attention to detail, starting by understanding her clients’ desires and creating mood boards that guide the design process. She values organization and artistic integrity, crafting each piece without patterns to ensure the uniqueness of every design. Her work is not just about fashion; it’s about creating wearable art that empowers and uplifts.

Among her professional achievements, Jessica particularly cherishes her experiences at New York and Denver Fashion Weeks, where her collections received widespread acclaim. The thrill of seeing her creations on the runway, especially when they are recognized as the top collection of the show, is unmatched. Her work has also earned her a place on numerous magazine covers, a testament to her talent and dedication.

Balancing her professional and personal life comes naturally to Jessica, thanks in part to her partner, who plays a crucial role as the director and photographer for her brand. Together, they manage photoshoots, select locations, and work with models, making their collaboration a seamless blend of work and life.

Looking ahead, Jessica plans to expand her presence at fashion weeks and on magazine covers, with Vogue being a particular aspiration. She is currently working on a fantasy collection that promises to push the boundaries of her creative expression.

Jessica Taylor is committed to maintaining a "Classy, Not Trashy" brand, focusing on high-quality, thoughtful designs in an industry often dominated by fast fashion. Her goal is to create beautiful, lasting clothing that makes women feel powerful and confident. Through her brand, Jessica continues to empower women, one unique design at a time.

BIOGRAPHY

1. Your logo incorporates specific symbols, such as a crown and a hanger. Could you tell us about the personal significance of these elements and how they reflect your vision for fashion?

My name is Jessica L. Taylor, Designer and Owner of Just Like That Fashion Brand. I officially launched my brand in 2014. I used my initials "JLT" to create my company name and logo. The Crown and Hanger are symbolic, meaning "FASHION ROYALTY." The Hanger symbolizes "Fashion" and the Crown symbolizes "Royalty," meaning that you will always find the highest and best quality of clothing and items, handmade especially for you by me. I assure that every customer and client leaves looking like "Fashion Royalty."

2. You grew up between Los Angeles and Ojai, which is reflected in your "High End Beach Hippie" style. How have these two environments influenced your creations, and how do you combine these influences in your collections?

I always like to make a statement when I go out or show up. I like to dress up!! Being a busy big city girl originally from Los Angeles, it was always important to be able to have day/night wear or several outfits on hand for going to lunch, going out for drinks with the girls, or going to dinner—whatever the case may be. So I love to make my outfits day-to-night transitional, so you can go anywhere at any time and look radiant and elegant, always putting off that evening elegance, high-fashion, trendy vibe, whether I’m at the beach, in the city, or both.

3. You mentioned that your grandmother was a significant influence on your love for fashion. How does her teaching continue to guide your creative choices today?

I have always been a huge lover of fashion. My grandma taught me how to sew at a very young age. My grandma used to host and fix dinners and events, and had a walk-in closet filled with shoes, makeup, scarves, handbags, fur coats, and gorgeous evening gowns—and I fell in love. I was always allowed to play dress-up and destroy her makeup and closet. I love to create different outfits and do hair and makeup. I made my first outfit by 8 years old. I was always one of the curvy girls, and that was not your friend in the 90's with tiny jeans and tight clothes when there was no size over an XL. Nothing ever seemed to fit right. I altered so many clothes over the years growing up. I always wanted to make beautiful, comfortable, form-fitting clothes for all sizes. That's what I decided to do when I launched my brand in 2014. My runway collection, "Tropical Candy Summer," not only featured many different styles but also featured many different models. At the time, I was actually mocked and asked, "Why are my models so eclectic?" I thought that was crazy. I launched my brand with a "Fashion For All" attitude!!!

Photographer: Michael R. Holder - MRH Photography - @m_r_h_photography
Models: Amber Rozell - @ayekae_
Maegen Wilburn - @huskieblueyes
Taylor Taylor - @freefallin.1998
Designer: Jessica L. Taylor - Just Like That Fashion - @justlikethatfashion
Shoes: Report - @report_shoes

4. You started your career in business management and accounting. How have these skills shaped your approach to running a fashion brand, and how do they set you apart in the industry?

There are so many ways that business and accounting have assisted me and set me apart in this industry. Because I am used to having to hit deadlines and deal quickly with people and big companies, bank execs, attorneys, auditors, etc., being professional and simply being able to talk and communicate with people—as well as simple organization skills and being able to do your own accounting—sets you far above so many others. Public relations, organizing public events, and human resources also go hand in hand with business management, so I have a jump on so many other fashion brands.

5. Your first participation in a Fashion Week was a turning point in your career. How did that experience change your perception of the fashion industry and influence your artistic approach?

I had just started my business and started designing, and I never really thought about fashion weeks until the invites started rolling in. I never thought of creating editorials to feature my jewelry and clothes until after my first fashion week. When I sat back and took in all of the different models, agencies, photographers, and even magazines that wanted to use my designs and really started wanting to work with me, I did a few collaborations but ultimately decided I have my own visions and ideas for my brand, and didn't always agree with the model or photographer on the vision for the collaborated editorial—especially since it is my outfits that are on display. So, I dove right in and got a team of my own models, my own photographers, and started creating editorials featuring my brand. Being a Creative Director as well and building beautiful editorials is one of my greatest passions. Since then, we have been published in over 141 magazines, with 174 covers—121 front, 53 back—in 32 countries, with 461 publications and counting.

6. The concept of "Classy, not Trashy" is central to your brand. Could you explain how you integrate this philosophy into your designs while staying true to modern trends?

I have made a special effort to market my brand as "Classy not Trashy." That is super important to me. I want my brand to be known for being high class, high end—not just this fast fashion garbage you see everywhere else. No pride or thought goes into your everyday clothes. They are cookie-cutter stamped out in the cheapest fabrics imaginable. What happened to outfits you love? In a day and age where revealing all and showing everything is super prominent just in society, I use colors and beautiful designs to show that you can get that attention in a much more positive way. You don't have to be naked to get attention—just nicely dressed. No, I'm not saying you can't wear cute outfits. I remember my grandma telling me, "Pick an asset and show it off. You don't have to show it all—just a peek!" I want to be known for beautiful clothes that last. Everyone that has ever bought a piece or pieces from me has fallen in love with the design. I love to make people glow, and my outfits definitely do that. I had a model tell me that "my designs made her feel powerful and like she wanted to stand even taller." I am all about empowering women and making them feel special and beautiful. It is sad to find that so many women don't think they are.

Interview

7. You’ve been featured in over 141 magazines across 32 countries. How do you manage the media aspect of your work, and what impact has this had on the evolution of your brand?

Because of my business background, I deal directly and have a very good rapport with pretty much all of my publishing houses and magazine EICs, publishers, etc. There are many magazines that do a very good job of giving me beautiful editorials, tear pages, social postings, web postings, among many other opportunities such as fashion weeks, photoshoots, and billboard advertising options. I work very closely with the magazines and creative teams that utilize and feature me and my brand. Getting my brand out there is crucial for its evolution. The more my designs are featured, the more people will see my brand.

8. With so many models and collaborations under your belt, how do you choose the models and teams you work with to represent your brand? What criteria are essential for you?

We hold model interviews and sit down with each and every model, photographer, etc., to pick the best compatibility and representation for my brand. Since my brand is modeled by "Classy not Trashy," there are a few stipulations to modeling for my brand. Of course, I cannot tell anyone what to do with their personal media and so forth, but my basic requirements are no trashy or filthy photos, no tongues hanging out, no flipping people off—your media must be respectful and clean. I can't pose a "Classy not Trashy" model and tag you to my brand if you are half-naked, bent over, with your tongue hanging out, now can I? Pretty self-explanatory, I would think, but we have had miscommunications and have let models go. My only other essential criteria—and this is super essential for my brand and something for any brand, designer, or photographer in the industry to consider before working with—minors. I also require that you be at least 18 years of age. I have worked with minors in the past, and there are way too many hurdles to deal with. Not only do both parents have to give permission for the minor to use them in any media, photoshoots, or fashion weeks, but the realism is that lots of parents are divorced or separated, and one or the other may not want their minor to model. Getting everyone to sign release papers and everything else can be a huge hassle. And there is always a dance mom/dad among them that thinks they have the right to tell you what to do with your company.

9. Your working relationship with your partner seems to be a key pillar of your success. How do you balance creativity and managing your brand while maintaining a healthy personal relationship?

Absolutely it is. Honestly, I don't even feel like I am balancing anything. My partner and I have been together for 14 years, and everything we do is pretty much together. He has encouraged and even assisted in my creativity, always making suggestions and playing devil's advocate. When I wanted to start a brand and become a designer, we sat down and talked about what I wanted to do, and he was with me. I have never had him tell me no. He started this with me 10 years ago and has been by my side through it all, stepping into whatever positions I need him to assist me in. He assists with models, holding interviews, and assisting in model training. He has become my director and organizer for Fashion Weeks and even has become my personal photographer for photoshoots and everything else in between. Our relationship stays healthy because I always know

I have that person behind me supporting me in whatever

I do.

10. You mentioned wanting to see your creations grace the covers of magazines like Vogue. What strategies are you implementing to achieve that goal, and what does that recognition mean to you in the fashion world?

Yes, absolutely. We are at a pivot point right now. With all of the magazines we have been published in, we are looking at the bigger picture and more mainstream magazines for the future. I have several new collections that I am in the process of working on. We are currently working on a few new collaborations and will be working with new models for our next few fashion editorials. I don't know if I see it so much as recognition, more like a business opportunity. I am constantly learning how to better my business and my brand and how to develop my brand and get it out there on a much grander scale. We are working on several other outlets, and have started a YouTube channel where you can see all of our publications in order.