Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Jahde.
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to own a business. As a child growing up in Nebraska, I was always picky about what I wanted to wear and created my own fashion aesthetic. I was an athlete growing up and the one problem I saw with fashion is that it wasn’t empowering and that issue always stuck with me, but I never thought it was possible for me to be in that industry.
In college, I decided to study interior architecture because I was fascinated with all facets of design. I was especially drawn to furniture making and pursued a study aboard program in Copenhagen to learn as much as possible about it. But the idea of fashion kept coming back to me because everyone needs clothing and footwear.
I moved to Charleston after graduating from graduate school in 2011 and took a job as an au paire and got to travel overseas with the family. During that time, I went to Morocco and bought my first load of leather and decided that leather would be my medium of choice. It is such a resilient material and you can create the most amazing sculptural-like designs with it.
In 2015, I sold my car to study shoemaking in London for the summer. A year later, I got an apprenticeship in New York with Cole Haan to learn the business and had every intention of moving to New York to pursue my career in fashion, but the quality of life in Charleston had hooked me. I found my workshop on Queen Street and started renovating it myself. When I launched the business online and in store in 2017, I had a 20-piece collection which included the King collar and the Council belt bag, two of my staple pieces. The original business model was retail, but just this past year I transitioned from traditional retail and moved my workshop upstairs. Clients are still welcome to walk in and see the collection, but they can also make appointments to create something original and Julep moved into the retail space downstairs. They have been a wonderful partner and able to display my bags, collars and jewelry. I’m focusing on custom work, designing bags and building my wholesale business. I’ve got a lot of fun work in the pipeline that I can’t wait to share in the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I fully self-funded and bootstrapped Jahde and I made a lot of sacrifices while building the business. The struggles are inevitable. As a business owner, you are constantly stretched thin and wear so many hats, but being able to pivot is how I think you succeed in business.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My business is one of the only leather ateliers in Charleston where you can walk in or make an appointment and create something completely custom and unique using new leather or items you already own. Everything is designed and constructed in my workshop and I pride myself on my craftsmanship.
Everything I’ve designed is something I want to wear. With the collars, it’s a piece that can completely elevate a very casual outfit. I was an athlete growing up and love the thought of putting a collar on after practice or a game. It’s very sporty while still being sophisticated. The belt bag is another item that has been around since day one. You can wear it across your body or around your waist to be hands-free. I use a staddle-stich to bind it together, a technique that has been used for centuries.
I also launched a collection of clear bags for customers to take to football games, festivals and other events. Living in the south, we know college football is a way of life here and I wanted to cater to it to provide customers with a stylish option to take instead of a generic clear bag.
I love being part of the entrepreneurial community here in Charleston. There are so many other creative women that I’ve met and collaborated with over the years. We live in such a historic place full of art and culture and I want to contribute to it with my work.
Any big plans?
JAHDE started with leather neckwear, handbags, and accessories, and the heart of the brand is craftsmanship. The next step is to carry that into more of people’s lives, starting with the home and eventually what they wear on their feet.
Homegoods in leather and wood. I want to design pieces that combine leather with wood, like trays, desk accessories, and organizers. The two materials work well together: they age beautifully and develop character with use. These pieces let someone live with JAHDE every day, not just wear it.
Custom footwear. Longer term, I want to offer custom footwear. It’s the natural extension of working in leather, and it fits a brand built on quality and personal fit. I’d approach it carefully and start small, with limited or made-to-order runs, because shoes demand real expertise in fit and construction. I’d rather do it right than rush it.
Staying true to the brand. Everything we add follows the same principles: quality materials, thoughtful design, and small-batch production. I’d rather release a few pieces I’m proud of than flood the market. Each new category should feel like it belongs to the same family, so a customer who loves one JAHDE piece recognizes the next.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jahdemade.com
- Instagram: @jahdemade
- Facebook: jahdemade
