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Name: Jontea’ Luckett
Age: 28
Profession/title: Business Owner, Fashion Designer
Name of Company: Page 27 Showroom, Katie Robert Clothing
Hometown: Canton, MS
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When thinking of fashion one’s mind automatically goes to fashion capitals such New York, Paris, and Milan. Very rarely, if ever does Mississippi come to mind. But with the rise of entertainers, celebrity photographers and stylists such as David Banner, Derek Blanks and J`Bolin, Mississippi is slowly, but surely making its mark on the fashion industry.
The time couldn’t have been better for Jontea` Luckett to move back to her home state and open the doors to Page 27 Showroom and introduce the Katie Robert Clothing Collection. “I believe that fashion is the beginning of something greater for the state of Mississippi,” said the 28 year-old Canton native. “Not just from myself, but for others that walk similar paths as myself.”
Glamorous though it appears, creating a successful clothing line or a career in fashion is no easy feat. There’s the practicality of having a sense of fashion and being creative, but then there’s another skill set that separates the legends who create to withstand the change of times from the good designers whose creations are hot for the season.
For Luckett, fashion did come naturally, but she wanted to know more about the industry and how to have a successful career.
The Chain Bodysuit is an edgy, classic 80's look that demands attention. The suit has a zipper front and is decorated with chains draped from a large decorative pin. The shoulders are padded and studded to give the look a futuristic feel. The back of the garment has a circular cutout to finish the look with a surprising touch.
“I was always told that you could look at the natural talents of your parents and know what talents have been naturally given to you,” Luckett said. “ Majority of my life, I’ve been a musician. I started as a music education major in college and realized after my freshman year that I wasn’t happy with the career path that I chose. So, I looked at the talents that were naturally given to my mother, who is an amazing designer and seamstress, prayed for direction, changed my major to fashion merchandising.”
Since making that change Luckett has never looked back. After receiving a fashion merchandising degree from Mississippi State University, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a graduate degree in apparel manufacturing from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). Determined to learn the ins and outs of the industry, Luckett worked professionally in the fashion industry as a designer and buyer for several years. “That helped me to understand what it takes to build a fashion company, how to operate it, and the level of dedication it takes from a team of people, not just one individual, to be successful,” she recalls.
In 2008 Luckett launched the Katie Robert Clothing Collection, a women’s apparel line. The label has been sold throughout the U.S. and to several clothing stores. She describes Katie Robert as “ classy yet sexy… innovative but marketable. I’m not your cookie-cutter designer.”
While she makes walking away from a secure job with a major fashion company sound easy, it has had its challenges. “There have been some sleepless nights, hours of dedication, and hard work. But it excites me when I see a client’s positive reaction to what I’ve designed. Or, when I walk into a store and I see my collection hanging on the rack and a customer purchases it. I especially love it when my design evolves from a sketch, to pattern, to sewing, then finally a finished look.”
As Luckett prepares to turn the next page of her career, she doesn’t do so without offering a word of advice. “A teacher is a great teacher when constantly learning. For anyone to be great at anything there has to be a level of knowledge and understanding of what it takes in order for greatness to occur. Knowledge and understanding is not a choice when you want to be great, it’s a must.”
16 Comments
Great Article! I am amazed at the talent coming from Mississippi. Congratulations to this young lady for being a light in the community.
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LET ME BE THE FIRST TO SAY THAT JONTEA’ DESIGNS ARE AMAZING!!!! SHE IS A VERY TALENTED AND CREATIVE PERSON. I ENJOYED DOING BUSINESS WITH HER AND I WILL BE RETURNING FOR MORE PIECES TO ADD TO MY WARDROBE!!
Tecara, she is an awesome designer! Can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us! Thanks for checking out Savvy Lifestyle Magazine.
I love this article. Very inspiring. Its not everyday that someone form Mississippi is featured in anything. I think that Jontea will truly make it in her line of work because of her dedication and becuase she loves what she’s doing.
Love you girl and keep up the GREAT work.
Your cuz, KeKe
Kewanee, we agree! She going to be one of the best in the industry! Thanks for visiting Savvy Lifestyle Magazine. Keep coming back for more great articles!
I have had the pleasure to meet this great individual. She is a person that you meet for the first time and it seems that you have known her your hold life. This wonderful spirit also made my wedding day special by her divine creation. Jontea is not just a business women, she is an inspiration to all that meet her. I am glad that I had the opportunity to be her customer.
Angie, we agree! When we interviewed her it was like talking with an old friend. Great, great person. Thanks for visiting Savvy Lifestyle Magazine. Don’t be a stranger and tell others about us!
Great Article! So proud of your accomplishments! Looking foward to seeing more of your designs and creativity! God has blessed you with many talents and you are great at them all!
Thanks for reading Pam! Glad you enjoyed the article!
I am so proud of you…i grew up seeing you at church in small town SHaron..Now look at you doing great things.! I believe in you, as im sure many others are as well. You will definitely come out on top!! God Bless!
I was born and raised in Mississippi and could not be happier to see all the new talent coming out of the state. We have already been noticed for the music that comes from across the state and it is good to finally see the recognition come from another angle. Fashion today may not be fashionable tomorrow and Ms. Luckett seems to have her hand on the pulse to keep her line fresh and current. It can’t be easy to have so much going on at such a young age, but she appears to be handling it in stride. I will definitely be looking for the Katie Robert Clothing Collection. Who knows, we may see something on the Red Carpet in the very near future.
There’s no doubt that the Katie Robert Collection is going to be an industry favorite! Thanks for reading!
This article is such a great inspiration! Often enough, MS is represented in a negative light as opposed to mentioning the great treasures that we have in this great state. I love seeing other great entrepreneurs and young individuals keeping true to what they love. Thank you so much for the inspiration and the motivation for people like myself.
nice! you look very familiar but I don’t know where I know you from
Hey Cookie. I would like for you to be my mentor /sponsor during my senior year at Canton High School and helping me out with my senior project.