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Click
on the pic to check out the Dewberries
Moe: Who/ and what
is dewberries?
DEW: In 2003 dewberries introduced their first women's
collection intended for the sexy, confident, stylish and
strong young woman. The line is unique and it differs
from many urban hip hop lifestyle brands on the market, it is
more detailed, innovative and design driven with a quality
assortment of stylish basics as well. At dewberries we
pay close attention to trends, urban style and detail.
Our brand is about amazing urban flavor, top quality and most
flattering fit celebrating curves, individuality and self
awareness. The dewberries brand has authentic ethnic
background in urban hip hop but the dewberries girl can not be
boxed in as underground hip hop flavor only, she dances to her
own drum. We design clothes to make any girl feel sexy,
beautiful, stylish, confident and independent. We are
not chasing trends we are setting them! The dewberries
girl knows her style and wears it well.
Moe:
How did the concept come about?
DEW: In
October 2002 I decided to take an extreme stressmake-over.
During my meditation and spiritual cleanse. I welcomed
the positive thoughts of sisterhood. I began to think
about the women in my life who have helped to shape me into
who I am today. I welcomed the negativity and all,
because I really believe that through that negative energy I
am a wonderful and better person today. I continued to
think about all the positive women in my life who have come
and go. I decided I wanted to give back and dedicate something
meaningful. To my wonderful, creative, talented
beautiful Mother (Bessie Flagg) my successful business
friends, my keep it real sistah's, my play sister, my not so
sure about friends, my spiritual sisters, my Latino
chica's, my long time friends, and this is for those friends
who just sit back and follow what my successes are and gossip!
I love you all.
Moe:
Who is the brain behind dewberries?
DEW:
Jacquelyn Kennedy- Forrest, Owner and developer of the
dewberries. You need only a few moments in her presents
to learn she's a woman set on constant self discovery. A
twisted blend of radiance, energy, confidence and sass. She's
an intelligent bombshell! Jacquelyn began her success
diving into the pool of entrepreneurship. Recognizing the
beauty in fashion, cultural diversity, self affirmation and
empowering all women has been at the forefront of Jacquelyn's
career.
Moe:
What is your target audience/demographic?
DEW: Our
audience so far have been between the ages of 16 and 40 we
have found that not only are the inner city hip hopper's
wearing dewberries but several other's in the business world.
Demographically dewberries have won great reviews from people
of all colors because in our clothing we represent everyone.
When you wear dewberries you wear UNITY!
Moe:
How did you get into fashion?
DEW: I
have been called a natural, At the young age of 3 I would go
into the department stores with my mom and stand next to the
manikins pull scarf's and hats off the manikins and put them
on me and stand there and get all the attention from the
shopper's. At age 10 I was featured in the LA time's
Newspaper as a "Lovely lady" I wore this unique gold
shiny mini skirt with a gold ruffled top that I designed. Now
today that outfit would be on the run ways in London and Paris
selling for an easy 8 or 9 thousand dollars. The newspaper
featured 6 young ladies from the south central community who
were beating the odds. No teen- age pregnancy, drugs or
gang violence for us. Thank god for a good up bring and
family. We were on a mission to make a difference in
life. I am still best friends with one of the other young
ladies in the article Kim Douglas-Williams. I participated in
several fashion shows with Mary McFadden back then, designed
clothing, sang and modeled. My mother made sure she exposed me
to all the performing arts activities she could. I
attended Hollywood High School of the performing arts. As
I got older I started working in the make up industry.
Started traveling around with Estee Lauder to Saks fifth ave
and Neimans for universal color events and then I decided to
attend the fashion institute for design and merchandising.
There I received my AA degree in visual presentation. After
her I transferred to California State Los Angeles University
and majored in business. Few years later God
decided it was time for me to be fruitful. I did a 360 turn
and started to have my family. I was blessed with my
first son Antoine Randle 4 years later my other miracles
Zayvier Forrest and Stone Chandler Forrest. Last but not
least My God sent Husband Mr. Defrantz Eugene Forrest!
Moe:
Who are your influences?
DEW: I
love the whole Betsy Johnson flavor all that colorful fun
wear. I am influenced by individual style, Fatima Robinson,
Lauren Hill, Jennifer Anderson, Salma Hayek, Missy Elliott,
Tracey Ross and Halle Berry just to name a few. My urban
influences have been Baby Phat, Roca wear, Sean John and a
list of other's. I love the unknown designer's as well.
Moe:
Who makes up the Dewberries team?
DEW: CEO-
Jacquelyn Kennedy- Forrest, COO- Mr. Defrantz Forrest, VP- Mr.
Gene Chandler, Executive Director of sales and marketing- Rod
Bell, and Director of Promotions- Saud Channing.
Moe:
What are the short term goals/ long term goals?
DEW: My
short term goal is to establish the purpose of Dewberries!
What's in a logo? Self love first, a positive expression
clothing line that in the long run will teach our youth to
critically and constructively question and analyze things that
are presented to them on a daily basis that would otherwise
just be accepted and unquestioned. It seems that more than a
large percentage of young teens easily buy in the entire
superficial notion that society imposes. Advertising and
media play a huge role in the way kids view the world and the
way they think the world views them. Through demystifying the
glamour of celebrities, it's called digging deeper. We
want to breakdown the ideal that wearing a shirt, or pair of
shoes gives that person wearing the brand more or certain
status; however what they are really doing is paying a lot of
money to make themselves a walking billboard for the company
who is selling the product or brand and in the end helping to
make that company a lot of money. Enough with allowing our
youth to feel worthless or belittled when they can't afford to
buy or get name brands.
Moe:
What's on the horizon?
DEW:
Dewberries charm school. A non-profit organization that
will target a very special group of youth from south central
and inner city communities who seem to get lost in the system.
They will be taken through a 12 week extreme life make-over.
Classes will include, self esteem, mentoring, charm classes,
proper etiquette, fashion design classes, motivation classes,
career planning, seminar's, special guest speakers, fashion
show's and spiritual retreats. After completing a 12
week course the Dewberries will receive a certificate of
completion. In order to be apart of the Dewberries charm
school they have to meet certain criteria and apply for a
grant or scholarship, given from different charities and
foundations.
Moe:
Word's of advice?
DEW: "Stay
ready and you'll never have to get ready" You can do all
things through Christ who strengthens you! "And if men
can reach the moon then surely we can reach the stars!"
Live
Love and be happy, Jacquelyn Kennedy- Forrest
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