This month, I'm pleased to feature a conversation with Jenna Wilson and Cary Vaughan of Ace & Jig, the brand's designers and co-owners. I've long admired this brand for its tangible impact on artisans, strong brand identity, and product focus. Plus, it's fun and friendly, and it produces clothes that genuinely make you feel good.
Ace & Jig, based in Brooklyn, NY, and Portland, OR, is one of those brands that has withstood the ebbs and flows of the tumultuous market. They work with artisans in India to offer a fashionable, socially responsible line, with the people behind it all top of mind. Their fabrics are carefully designed and made from scratch by partners they have worked with since the beginning. Their pieces are vibrant, unique, colorful, and effortlessly wearable. While many brands simply source their fabrics, they design from the beginning, and I think that's their secret sauce.
I've always been impressed with how they go the extra mile to improve both quality and working conditions. Their pieces are Certified Fair Trade and made using organic cotton.
I see many brands enter this field with a vision, only to be easily distracted by many different product categories and countries. What Ace and Jig does so well is withstand those distractions with laser focus. It's very inspiring, and if I can offer one piece of advice to brands out there wanting to start an artisan brand, it's to focus on fewer product categories, go deeper, ultimately creating more impact for the artisans and leading to a strong business. Ace and Jig is a perfect example. So here we dive into their brand story, evolution, and how they have stood apart over the years.
Enjoy the full interview below!