ABOUT

In my teens I used to love to sew! At age 14 the first outfit I ever made was a full suit with lapels and bell bottoms made out of old red brocaded satin curtains. I remember feeling very special going to the movies in that outfit…barefoot! That must have raised a few eyebrows indeed. Working for a designer architect in Newport Beach who would send me to the photographer to get prints made of his drawings, I was asked to audition for a Kawasaki catalog. I got the job and ended up modeling in my twenties for many all American girl (and some not so American girl) commercial and swimsuit print ads.

During those years we would hang out at the famous surf spot at Brooks St. in Laguna Beach where many of my best friends launched successful careers as designers of surf and street wear: Michael Thompson of Gotcha, Shawn Stussy of Stussy, Jack Denny from World Jungle were a few of the most successful. I moved to San Francisco and went to San Francisco Art Instutute to study painting, printmaking and electronic arts on and off for about 4 years but decided that I wanted my creative expressions to be both functional and utilitarian. I started to sew again and continued my interest in clothing. In time, I collaborated and co-produced several labels: Wahumba Swamp and Reverent with Joe Herschelle ; La Diablita and Jeana & Dan with Dan Sullivan and Gabriella Jimenez.

In 2004 new inspiration came in the form of ethnic and cultural dance and drums. Dance was the perfect inspiration needed to make clothing that is functional and utilitarian. jeanaG. clothing is knit, casual, and lounge clothing that needs little care, no ironing, and packs well for traveling. Pants and tops are functional and can be layered for comfort and warmth, dancing, exercise, yoga, travel, going out to dinner or market.

My overall goal/dream and wish is to bring awareness of ethnic and cultural dance/drums to the communities, like mine, that are unaware of them. Dance/drums/music bring pleasure, joy and delight to the senses and psyche. Dance and drums can lift the spirits! Dance is one good answer to the problems that surround us in this crazy world!

I hope you enjoy wearing jeanaG.!