ZMJ Denim Inc. was established in February 2007 by sisters Zakiya Jones and Tashiba Jones-Wilson, both graduates of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM), both focused on catering to the plus-size market.
“ZMJ Denim pays close attention to the construction and detail put into every stitch for style, comfort and longevity. Our garments are designed and manufactured in Los Angeles. This company stays on top of the latest fashion trends and is dedicated to keeping it young and sexy,” said Jones-Wilson.
The sisters took on their passion for fashion at a young age–Zakiya with a Barbie design program and Tashiba being voted “best dressed” in high school. Tashiba’s first job was in retail. She went from sales, to assistant manager, to visual display coordinator. Tashiba has transitioned her love of fashion into the film/TV industry as a designer/shopper and onset costumer.
Now life has come full circle for these Los Angeles-born sisters who are embarking on their journey as designers of women’s curvy fashion.
ZMJ Denim Inc. produces denim bottoms in sizes ranging from 14w-24w as well as a line of T-shirts, and the company hopes to be able to expand to a full line of women’s clothing and accessories in the near future.
In order to do this, the sisters are using Kickstarter–the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects. Every week, tens of thousands of people pledge millions to projects in the areas of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.
With the help of pledges, ZMJ Denim Inc. expects to be able to go into production in spring/summer 2012, and showcase at Full Figured Fashion Week held in New York City in June.
Funding will be used to cover fabric, production samples, screen printing costs, photo shoots, new website/web store and PR/marketing materials.
Kickstarter is a program that enables individuals with creative ideas and businesses to secure funding and support to make their ideas blossom.
Innovators produce a video letting the Kickstarter community know what their idea is and the amount of funding they need to accomplish it. Individuals are then invited to pledge money towards that goal. All money must be raised within a specified time period for funding to be received.
“It’s amazing that the support we are currently receiving is coming from the people outside of our friends and family. We get a lot of well-wishers but what we really need is financial backing. We are putting ourselves on the line, and it’s all or nothing.”
Tashiba says, if the company does not reach their goal of $10,000 by 2 a.m. on Saturday Feb. 11, they will not receive any of the money that has been pledged. It isn’t too late to support their campaign.
“And there are some really great rewards as well; it’s not just giving and not receiving anything back. Depending on how much is pledged contributors can get publicly thanked via social media, T-shirts, and jeans. It’s Black History Month,” she said. “Help us make history.”
ZMJ also intends to start a non-profit organization for young girls who aspire to be in the fashion industry.
“We want to encourage and uplift their self-esteem while teaching them the ins and outs of the world of design by providing workshops on business, designing, industry jobs, interviewing skills and more,” said Jones-Wilson.
For more information on the campaign and to pledge support, visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/zmjdenim/zmj-denim-spring-summer-2012-curve…. You can also follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.
