A Conversation with Local Designer Jaylee Rosand: Why Style Will Never Go Out of Style
“A life goal for me is to live in my art!”
A product design major at the U and vintage style enthusiast, Jaylee Rosand is an apparel designer with textile experience dating back from since she was a young kid. Coming from a long line of grandmothers passing down seamstress expertise, it’s not a stretch to say fashion runs in the family. This gives her a uniquely informed perspective on construction and design practices, which is clearly reflected in her impressive work and garment sketches.
Recently unveiled as a student designer for Dare 2 Be Golden, a fashion show collaboration between Fashion Week MN and Golden Magazine, I sat down for a chat with Rosand on her designs and to get a closer look at the story behind her drive.
I know you’re busy lately with prep for Fashion Week; what’s that been like for you?
ROSAND: It’s been interesting pulling pieces together to make a cohesive collection. A lot of times when I make things, it's for fun. I don’t necessarily envision a whole collection. So, creating one was a new experience for me, but it’s definitely been an eye-opening process.
A showcase of youth talent, Dare 2 Be Golden is a part of a lineup of runway shows Fashion Week MN has arranged for this spring’s week of fashion and culture running from April 23rd to the 29th.
What inspired you to begin designing?
I first learned to sew with my nana recreating patterns for doll clothes, we used to bond over our love of that. I started designing for myself when I was like, 12, because I couldn’t afford a lot of the clothes I wanted. So I just began transforming my thrifted clothes into the styles I wanted, but couldn’t have. As I got older and my abilities and style developed, I started making more designs from scratch, which is when I really fell in love with recreating old runway looks. I wanted to bring old glamour to my life. And, honestly, a life goal for me is to live in my art.
Original sketch of a potential design
That’s incredible. I think a lot of young people are beginning to tap into sewing for the same reason. Which brings me to my next question—where does your love for vintage come from?
Following trends is exhausting, it’s never been something I wanted to do. There’s always going to be another micro trend in two weeks and I just feel like there’s no art to it anymore. If you look at vintage fashion, you can tell things were more thought out, and personally, I’ve always felt more comfortable in vintage clothing. You can quite literally feel the quality of a lot of pieces. You don’t get that in clothes nowadays—unless you’re breaking bank on a dress, but even then it’s a maybe.
That’s really true, fashion trend cycles have definitely sped up with TikTok and other social media trends. So, thinking about Fashion Week MN, what's on your mind?
Honestly I'm just happy to share with everyone what I’ve been up to. Fashion design is my art and medium. Some people like to paint, and I just really like to sew. This is how I express myself and I’m really excited to experience my first runway show. It’s just special to be a part of this experience.
How does your identity influence your designs?
I love traditional styles in cultural garments, and I’ve always taken a fascination with integrating culture into everyday fashion and what that would look like. I feel like my sexuality has a huge influence on what I design, I don’t ever want to wear something that centers the male gaze. I just don’t dress for men. As a femme, I like to question what traditional “femininity” really looks like and what it could mean. I like to dress in a way that is very powerful that brings into question the soft and demure styles traditionally associated with femininity. I feel like my clothes reflect that.
An in-progress custom design and Vivienne Westwood inspired dress
Any advice for aspiring designers or those learning to make their own clothes?
The biggest advice I have is to learn the basics first because it’ll open up a whole world of creation. Learn how to make a pair of pants from scratch, install a zipper well, and just put time into learning basic construction techniques because they will serve you for your entire life if this is something you’re committed to. My whole thing is, if you’re gonna make clothes, make good clothes. If you’re in a creative rut, just give it time because if designing is really your passion it’ll come back.
Fashion or style?
I definitely prefer style any day of the week over fashion. Fashion is what other people like, and what’s trending right now, but style is personal to you. I think it’s really important for people to figure out what they like because you’ll always end up coming back to those things. And you end up buying less since you know what you’re gonna wear so it saves you money.
How do you feel about fashion as art?
When I think about fashion as art I immediately think about runway shows and how they used to almost be like a theatrical performance. That’s not really what happens anymore, you know. I feel like people go in already knowing what will happen, and everything is rushed. I like runway shows of the past because I feel like they were more creative and had more fun with things. I hope to bring a taste of that flair to Fashion Week MN.
Also walking as a model in her designs, you can catch Jaylee’s debut runway collection and more talented designers at Fashion Week MN’s Dare 2 Be Golden show on April 27th. Just one show of many, be sure to check out this spring’s exciting lineup of diverse local creatives. More information on the runway shows can be found here.
