MORE ABOUT JENNIFER

By JO, June 14, 2019

Jennifer Ouellette attributes the foundation of her work to her parents.   She is the product of two artistic minds. From her mother, who owned a vintage clothing store in St. Louis, Missouri, Jennifer inherited her love for vintage fashion and millinery.  “I grew up learning from my mother about the history of fashion,” said Jennifer.

Her father is an inventor and entrepreneur with over 45 US patents to his name.  Early exposure to her father’s business provided her with entrepreneurial drive and direction.  Jennifer adopted his philosophy of craftsmanship, quality and conscience.  She shared “My father taught me to stand by my name and create a product with pride.”

Her mother’s passion for the history of fashion began with a few antique hats.  Her interest grew into a collection of clothing and eventually a small business called “Puttin’ On the Ritz  “She was a trailblazer in the 1980s, daring to wear vintage clothing and hats.  She wore vintage before it was cool, before it was hip” she revealed.

As a teenager, Jennifer was surrounded by wearable treasures from the 1890s to 1970s…collapsable top hats, victorian parasols, bias cut evening gowns, lace gloves, and spats.  Jennifer remembers “My mom taught me how to appreciate the designs of each decade and why fashion is a sign of the times”

Jennifer was also drawn to the hats and wondered how they were made.  She studied the hats for some understanding of their construction.  She said “Some of them were classic shapes, like boaters, fedoras and cloches.  Others had definitions of twists and turns or cut outs revealing negative space.  Each hat offered its own element of drama and surprise.  Thats why I love millinery. Anything that you wear on your head can create an emotion.”