I had an absolute blast during my time with Jessica Williams. I learned that she most certainly does put the “D” in the word driven, as she has been an entrepreneur since being in her early teens. She has also been very intentional in her decision to pay tribute to her upbringing & hometown influences in her work and has now surely become one of the very women she grew up admiring for future generations to come. She also shares that just as any other human on this planet earth experiences it has not been without its fair share of bumps in the road & how she overcame a time of feeling utterly uninspired and down during the height of the pandemic.
Read on if you would like to learn more about this fascinating woman as I’m sure you will.
What was the defining moment when you knew you wanted to become a
fashion designer?
I knew I wanted to become a designer when I was only 14 years old. With the love
& help of my mother, I was able to attend a Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, which was funded by the NAACP. This experience helped mold & shape my creativity and from there I began to design. Following that Summer, I returned to school and began selling those designs and making great money for a teenager with little responsibility! As my designs began to flourish I knew for sure that I had found my passion. I expanded from designing T-shirts & Hoodies into Weddings & Prom gowns all before the age of 17. Again with the support of my family & the leadership of God I perfected my skill set through sewing classes & design training & the rest was history.
What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Irregular Exposure?
Growing up, I didn’t see many entrepreneurs. It was not a trend & I didn’t understand it. I grew up in Baltimore City. In my neighborhood, there was a local salon that was Black Women owned. It was a very popular salon because they marketed all over the city! It was called “Double Exposure”. I was so inspired by their campaigns and influence. Also as a kid, I was obsessed with footwear and originally wanted to be a footwear designer. While designing in high school, I would set weekly sales goals for myself. Whenever I achieved this goal, I would treat myself to a shoe from “Irregular Choice”, which was a UK-based brand I
thought was so eclectic and original.
I was inspired by culture, entrepreneurship, Black Women, and what people considered unorthodox, therefore the name was birthed from there!
Why is it important for you to create a body-positive line that is inclusive to
all shapes and sizes?
In the real world, people come in all colors, shapes, & sizes. I have always strived to include everyone. My family, friends, & myself all represent “the people”, and I wanted to create a brand that welcomes them! My goal is for my customers to feel as though they are welcomed here. Social media has allowed for many women to compare themselves to others and change accordingly to fit a societal perspective. I am a natural woman with a short haircut & tattoos. That’s rare to see! I want women to know that we are all irregular & we are the influence. “We are culture, and we are all welcome here!”
Do You create new lines each season or just as often as the inspiration hits?
In previous years, I would only create when inspired. In 2021, I went through the toughest year of my life mentally. The only place to turn was to God and my God-given gift of designing. I would sketch the pain away and heal through creativity. During that period of time, my inspiration was reignited and I decided to remove all distractions & solely focus on creating. In 2022 and ongoing we will be creating seasonal collections. I am so excited because my Spring/Summer ‘22 collection actually releases next week, & then the Fall/ Winter collection will follow. I am so ecstatic to have so much creativity to share, and be able to feed my community with their irregular goodies! I am honestly just getting started. The fire I feel
currently is intentional and the collections are releasing back to back, so get ready.
What is your favorite item in the current line?
The 4EveryBawdy Suit. This suit was actually originally released about 7 years ago. It went viral when Evelyn Lozado wore it on “The Real”. I was still working a 9-5 job at the time and was like, “Huh? People love my design ?” I had to recreate & perfect it, and that is exactly what I did. In 2021, I re-released it and it has since become a staple. Women love it because it is truly 4EveryBawdy! The fit and
fabric combination is so unexpected yet classic. People have been requesting more
colors and we are delivering on that promise within our Fall/Winter 2022 Collection. “I wear the suit at least once a week “ and I see no issue LOL!
What would you say is a big trend for women right now going into
Spring/Summer 2022?
A huge Spring/Summer 2022 trend for women right now are thong & party seams. Ladies are loving the Y2k trends from Von Dutch & True Religion, I am reliving my teenage years, and women are too, but with more sex appeal! Remember how women used to fold their jeans down and show their thongs? It’s back! I am not a huge fan of the literal peek-a-boo action, however, I do love a good panty seam.
Brands such as Mugler & Irregular Exposure are creating classic staples which are showcasing seams that create the illusion of where a panty would lay on a woman. It adds the sex appeal without the skin & I think the “less is more effective “ always wins!
Who is your biggest style icon that you would say influences you?
This is hard ! Wow! I would have to say Cardi B . Cardi B STEPS you hear me ?!?
Her stylist Kolin Carter doesn’t miss. They always focus on archives and trends
that speak to Cardi’s personality. They make each look like a cultural moment. I
appreciate the “Superstar” era, and I believe that Cardi keeps that alive through
her wearable art.
Why Specifically did you decide to create a streetwear line and what would
you say sets yours apart from other competitors?
I wouldn’t categorize Irregular exposure as Streetwear. I think that we are really
pushing culture forward by really offering attainable luxury. We offer everything
from corseted sweatpants that can be worn to a basketball game, to two-piece sets that customers have worn to their baby showers & surprise wedding proposals.
I believe that we are a brand that is preserved for special occasions, and as a result, sometimes fall into multiple categories. I would say that this is the very reason that sets us apart from our competitors. We offer it all! You can snag a show-stopping look for any occasion and I feel this is what really makes us irregular.
What is the motto or mission statement behind the brand?
We are a reliable & attainable luxury designer label impacting culture through
fashion.
Have you ever had any celebrity endorsements or collaborations? If so, who would you like to work with in the future?
I have had many celebrities to “rock” the brand I.E. Dess Dior, Jayda Cheaves ,
Megan Thee Stallion, Evelyn Lozado (as mentioned previously), Amiyah Scott
and so many more! My Spring/Summer 2022 collection is featuring 1 of my
favorite celebrities who is truly a glam gworl! OMG, I cannot wait until you guys
see it! I would love to collaborate with Jordyn Woods, Rihanna, Lizzo, and
Michelle Obama. Michelle would slay a 4EveryBawdy Suit!
Will there ever be a male line developed?
I am working on something REALLY special and gender-neutral for 2023. The
fellas are always requesting some looks, so I will consider further expanding upon
that idea!
Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to someone wearing your designs
improperly? ( i.e. maybe over-accessorizing or being age-inappropriate) or do
you feel it’s all up to interpretation?
Yes! Once, I had a photo shoot and forgot to pick up the tops for the ladies to
wear under the jackets, so we were forced to have the models go shirtless. I hated
the content! Welp, the ladies begin wearing the jacket exactly as we had styled it.
That meant mature women were walking around shirtless. OMG, I was so embarrassed.
Let’s just say this mistake never happened again (Laughs out Loud). I do get frustrated when customers wear the wrong shoe and bag. Irregular Exposure does all the work for you!
Keep it simple and let the clothing talk.
What’s next for your brand?
I am so excited about our upcoming collection launches! I am also preparing for an in-person experience in Fall 2023. Something of this caliber will take about a year to plan, so I am excited to be preparing for that! I cannot wait to share more so watch out we are here to stay.
I felt every bit of Jessica’s enthusiasm & heart for not only her line but fashion in
general. She has worked hard to build a company that embraces all body types
while being easy and accessible to wear all without forsaking style for one single
second. I also appreciated her candor in discussing some very vulnerable moments
such as feeling uninspired during a low moment in her life in 2021, however
still deciding to pour that pain into her new style of revolution which is sure to turn
heads for years to come & also not being afraid to share her trial & error moments
while styling her own photoshoot. These sheer examples of growth in the midst of
adversity clearly show her strength and ambition, and help to exemplify why I
encourage every woman who reads this to go out & support Irregular Exposure
ASAP!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/irregularexposure
Website: https://www.irregularexposure.com/
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