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Ja'Maiya Ryan is Fashionable · Sidewalk Talks

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Ja'Maiya Ryan. K. I think I'm ready to you know, the first time that I I don't even think we met, but I that I saw you in all of your designer glory was at the Saginaw Soup. Yeah. The very first one
• 0:21
  Speaker 2: Yeah.
• 0:21
  Speaker 1: That you won. And there's such there's such a great photo of you that you're, like, you won and you're just sobbing
• 0:30
  Speaker 2: with happiness. Yes.
• 0:33
  Speaker 1: Full out ugly crying. Yes. And I was I was tempted to post that one all over the Internet.
• 0:38
  Speaker 2: Oh my gosh. I was praying. I was like, oh my gosh, Phil. Please, I hope he does it.
• 0:43
  Speaker 1: Were you nervous for that Saginaw soup? Was that your first pitch competition ever?
• 0:47
  Speaker 2: Yes. Yeah. And I was nervous. I was incredibly nervous.
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: Yeah. You you crushed it though. Yeah. Mhmm. How long ago was that?
• 0:55
  Speaker 2: Three years ago. 2023.
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: Okay. Yeah. So and this is actually, like, our first real sit down interview. It is. So I'm excited to talk to you.
• 1:04
  How did how did this whole design thing start?
• 1:07
  Speaker 2: It started in college. I went to the College for Creative Studies
• 1:11
  Speaker 1: Mhmm.
• 1:11
  Speaker 2: In Detroit Mhmm. Parallel to Wayne State, not that far. And I studied fashion accessories design. And my love for handbags and shoes further developed from there.
• 1:24
  Speaker 1: Oh, wow. Mhmm. Why did you decide to go this route of education? Like like sometimes you you kinda have two different paths in small business. Like, you can go to college to some kind of training, go through business school, or you're just packing it out for like grassroots.
• 1:43
  Why did you decide like, I want I want to go to school, I want to be educated in this?
• 1:50
  Speaker 2: I always had a love for art. I was always the creative kid that loved coloring more than I did anything else. Mhmm. And it was natural for me. I went to SASSA from middle and high school, and the College for Creative Studies had recruiters that they would come because we were technically a gifted school.
• 2:09
  Speaker 1: Mhmm.
• 2:10
  Speaker 2: So they told us all about their curriculums and their programs and the recruiter told me specifically about the fashion accessories design program and I fell in love with it and I was extremely happy that it was still in Michigan. I was either gonna go to SCAD which is in Atlanta or Parsons which is in New York And I chose CCS and that's how it started. And I also hate math. But it's contradictory because fashion design is very mathematical based.
• 2:41
  Speaker 1: Yeah. Boo math.
• 2:42
  Speaker 2: I know.
• 2:44
  Speaker 1: I'm also not a fan. No. Why accessories? Like what was it about the accessories part of fashion that you
• 2:52
  Speaker 2: So that program was bred from the Olsen twins. They Really? Yes. The Olsen twins have a company that's very very well executed called The Row. They were in development process regarding that and they met one of the higher ups at my institution and they said that, you know, everyone can always design a handbag and shoes but they can't make a damn thing.
• 3:22
  And that's where that curriculum program was bred. It was basically a manifestation of that frustration from them. And they really just honed in on the education behind handbags, accessories, belts, footwear, sneakers, etcetera. And I
• 3:45
  Speaker 1: don't know anything about the Olsen twins, so maybe I'm way off base But it just seems like they were two huge child stars that grew up and decided, you know what? We're gonna do our thing. And we're just gonna keep doing our thing and we're not gonna get sucked into the vortex of celebrity and ism and all of that stuff. Like, you don't hear from them ever. They don't do interviews ever.
• 4:08
  They're not doing shows ever. They're just like fashion is what we do.
• 4:11
  Speaker 2: Yeah. Really cool.
• 4:12
  Speaker 1: Yeah. And I respect that a lot. What did what all did you learn? Like, give me a little bit of a look into this program. We
• 4:19
  Speaker 2: learned man, where do I start? So obviously, we learned the basics or the fundamentals of sewing leather. Skiving machines, splitting it, hand sewing, things of that nature. The fundamentals of design, learning our own methods of tech pack design, That's very, very important, especially if you wanna go into your own business regarding design. Mhmm.
• 4:46
  And we also had a lot of sponsored studio projects. So I had the opportunity to do a studio project with Stuart Weitzman, which is a very well known footwear brand. And it's also in partnership with Coach and Kate Spade. It's called Tapestry now. So we did that.
• 5:06
  That was really nice. My curriculum also collaborated with Carhartt before. So we really just know the ins and outs regarding designing something and knowing how to make it.
• 5:18
  Speaker 1: I love that combination of designing and making.
• 5:22
  Speaker 2: Yes.
• 5:22
  Speaker 1: Like it's more than just the design piece. Like, you can make it too. Absolutely. As soon as you said, like, skiving machines, I was like, yeah. They're they're making
• 5:30
  Speaker 2: stuff. Yeah. We're making things.
• 5:31
  Speaker 1: We're making stuff. So when you were when you were approaching your own design Mhmm. Walk me through that process. Like, what are you thinking about and and how do you approach like a new collection or bag or
• 5:46
  Speaker 2: It is really dependent on the direction that I want my collection to go in. I'm still in the early phases of my business and I want to cater to as many needs as possible, but I also wanna make it sustainable and make sense for my business model. So I'm taking small batches at a time, but I like to combine what's trending with what will last. And I'm not really gonna be left with a lot of over stock because trends aren't really sustainable. They come and go.
• 6:22
  Mhmm. Once I get an idea of the item per se, whether it's a backpack or a crossbody or fanny pack, I then go into color schemes that are also gonna be sustainable for my business model, not really loud or trendy colors, and I love to make them functional. So whether it's a cup holder in a bag or if it's an extra pocket somewhere that's convenient, I like to think about those things. And then I'm off into paper prototyping, which is to make sure it makes sense in my head as it does in real life. Once my paper prototype makes sense, I do my own tech packs, which a lot of people don't know, but I really do every single tech pack and I send it to my manufacturer.
• 7:10
  They give me a sample. Once the sample is approved, I go through durability testing so that I can be confident to my customer base to let them know this bag can withstand this, but it cannot withstand this. And that takes about six months. I really put my bags through wear and tear. And once I approve that, I get the mass shipment from my manufacturer and then I sell them.
• 7:36
  Speaker 1: Awesome.
• 7:37
  Speaker 2: Yeah.
• 7:37
  Speaker 1: I I love how thorough you are about about this. Like, when you're talking about the durability testing, like, nothing would be a bummer more of a bummer than to design something beautiful and make it and then have have a woman buy it and she's very proud of it. She loves her bag. Then in six months, the stitches are tearing and the pockets rip or fall apart. Then you become the person who makes something that looks really nice, but they just don't last very long.
• 8:07
  Speaker 2: Exactly.
• 8:08
  Speaker 1: I love it. Thank you. When I'm not I I don't have a vast collection of bags and purses. But like you like, I'm looking at at one that you brought and it's just it's very classy. It's got great shape.
• 8:27
  It's got great dimension to it. But like you said, you're talking about like not jumping on trends. There is a very like you could use that whether you're 21 or 49 or 65, whether you're going to work or hanging out. Mhmm. Like, it it just seems very utilitarian with with still being dope.
• 8:51
  Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you.
• 8:53
  Speaker 1: Yeah. So you just came out with a new collection.
• 8:55
  Speaker 2: Yes.
• 8:56
  Speaker 1: Tell me about your new collection.
• 8:57
  Speaker 2: The Millier is my first patent pending collection. I actually stood on this design for about three years before I put it into production. And it is so near and dear to my heart. It is our first everyday sized handbag. We really don't have that.
• 9:15
  We had the huge work tote and the smaller crossbodies, but we really didn't have one that you could just take everywhere and it wouldn't be a hassle. It comes in black and tan and I love
• 9:27
  Speaker 1: it. I love it. Yeah. Where where do folks buy your
• 9:32
  Speaker 2: They buy them online at my website, jamaiahryan.com.
• 9:36
  Speaker 1: Very cool. Yeah. Do you talk to me about like, are are you going to like fashion week? Like what what what's your current like education or how do you get ideas for designs or talk to me about that.
• 9:51
  Speaker 2: I give my ideas and inspiration from real life. So if I'm obviously, everyone utilizes social media, so I'm using that. If I'm out and about, that often is where I get most of my inspiration from if I'm at a certain store. But a lot of times I dream my designs.
• 10:12
  Speaker 1: Oh, really? Yes.
• 10:14
  Speaker 2: I am constantly thinking. I literally had a dream of a design and I still have yet to sketch it, but it's it's engraved in my brain field. I dream my designs all the time and I have these visions and I'm like, okay, I have to do that. That's how it works for
• 10:31
  Speaker 1: me. I'm I'm thinking of a new tagline for you like designs given by God. This is like bestowed upon God. Literally. Literally.
• 10:39
  I love I love that though because it shows it's a testament that you take this seriously. That it's something that you're thinking about and that you take a lot of pride in the craft part
• 10:49
  Speaker 2: of Yes.
• 10:50
  Speaker 1: Yes. How does it make you feel that like making something as beautiful as that, that not only you get to enjoy, but so many other people, Yes. Like it's a part of their
• 11:01
  Speaker 2: It's crazy. And I literally had my first experience when I first started. Obviously, my customers were a lot of people that I knew. Mhmm. But recently, I had an experience of someone that I honestly didn't know or recognize and they were wearing my bag and I just was like, oh my gosh, this is so cool.
• 11:19
  Like, people are actually buying it. Yeah. But honestly, once you buy a bag, you are instantly a part of our family and it's like our own little hub. We have a private Facebook group.
• 11:31
  Speaker 1: Oh, fun.
• 11:32
  Speaker 2: I'm always showing sneak peeks of my new designs or upcoming collections, and I'm just chatting with them. And it's just it's a good time.
• 11:39
  Speaker 1: Oh, man.
• 11:40
  Speaker 2: Yeah.
• 11:40
  Speaker 1: So people, buy a bag, join the community. Mhmm. That's, that's also fun too. I mean, and I think it really connects to something that that women are searching for as well. I mean, everybody's searching for a sense of community, but Mhmm.
• 11:54
  Especially the the women that I know, like, wanna talk to other women. And they want like new friend and they want to show off their new back or, you know, things like that. I love it. Yeah. If if I'm thinking about, like, if I'm a 16 year old
• 12:11
  Speaker 2: Mhmm.
• 12:12
  Speaker 1: And I'm in I'm at SASSA or in where at United, you know, wherever, and I'm thinking, like, I wanna do this fashion thing Mhmm. But I don't really know, like, where to start or like how do I get from Saginaw to Detroit or Saginaw to New York City in the fashion world? Like what in your experience, like what would you say to that 16 year old wondering how to break into it?
• 12:39
  Speaker 2: I would definitely recommend my institution hosts summer programs. I would definitely recommend joining one of those so you can get a feel if you're really emotionally invested in wanting that because being in college, having all of these assignments and deadlines, it really does take a toll on you and you have to be extremely passionate to withstand that.
• 13:06
  Speaker 1: Mhmm.
• 13:08
  Speaker 2: And just overall, honestly, practice your craft daily, whether that's sketching, designing, keeping that passion alive, and exploring different options. You definitely have to tour your campuses and not just go on the college website and get familiar with the campus, and make the best decision for yourself.
• 13:30
  Speaker 1: I love the encouragement to really practice your craft.
• 13:33
  Speaker 2: Yes.
• 13:33
  Speaker 1: Because sometimes whether you're 16 or whether you're 41, you know, like, it's really easy to fall in love with the idea of something or the dream of something and that it that's an important part of it, but it's also important to be skilled at that thing and that takes practice every day for a long time. Absolutely. And that'll get you farther than thinking about it. Love it. Tell us one more time if if I'm really intrigued by the bags and listening to this episode, where where can I buy your stuff?
• 14:05
  Speaker 2: You can buy my items at jamaiahryan.com.
• 14:09
  Speaker 1: Jamaiahryan.com. Jamaiahryan, I wanna thank you so much for the chat today. I wanna thank you so much for bringing your beautiful bags into the world and looking forward to more design dreams you have coming down the line.
• 14:21
  Speaker 2: Thank you.
• 14:22
  Speaker 1: Thank you so much. You're awesome.
• 14:25
  Speaker 2: Thank you, Phil.