California Apparel News

Los Angeles–based designer Jessica Faulkner embraces the smart side of clothing. Using her world travels, education, sports background and industry experience, Faulkner creates a well-rounded apparel line filled with sophistication, flirtiness and versatility.

Faulkner is largely influenced by tailoring, and each collection injects this sensibility, from her jumpsuits to ikat-printed capes. Before launching her Jessica Faulkner collection in early 2012, Faulkner worked with Fashion Week San Diego as a designer on a costume and wardrobe project and as a design assistant for the women’s contemporary line Jane Oh, for which she did everything from sketching to designing, sourcing and pattern-making. Jane Oh owner Alison Andrews served as a role model for Faulkner and inspired her to launch her own label.

The native California designer split her time growing up between San Diego and Big Bear, Calif., where her parents owned a restaurant, and Faulkner developed a love of snowboarding and outdoor activities. She studied international business, Spanish and fine arts, with an emphasis on fashion design, at San Diego State University, which gave her a broad foundation to launch her own business.

A trip to Scotland inspired Faulkner’s Fall/Winter ’13 collection, which includes a men’s-inspired wool/leather blazer, pinstriped trouser, mini kilts and plaid fabrics.

For Spring 2014, Faulkner mixes light and dark hues in a mosaic-print design. A white laser-cut leather top is lined with a soft pastel pattern, and a pair of turquoise leather shorts was inspired by a recent trip to the Middle East.

“I went to Kuwait for a wedding, so I decided to include Middle Eastern influences without being too aggressive with prints,” she said. “I was inspired by palms, waterfalls and the Arabian sea offset with pink sunsets and the dust storms, which is seen in the [allover] printed [suit], dresses and tops.”

The architectural elements are evident in the lace fabrics as well as the shapes and volume of the silhouettes. Faulkner uses leather, Tencel/cotton and natural fiber/polyester blends. All products are manufactured in the U.S.

“Keeping manufacturing local is a huge part of what we do,” Faulkner said.

Wholesale price points start at $32 for a basic tank and $40 for shorts and run up to $200 for one of the leather designs. A floor-length dress made with six yards of fabric is wholesale priced at $98.

For sales information, contact Jaclyn Prophet at jaclyn@jessicafaulkner.com.