Jasfy Clothing  has released some nice pieces that appeal to those wanting to do something special for that person for Valentines day. In addition, it is fully customizable so if you want to reflect letters that are more personal to you, that is possible as well.

Show them you care with Jasfy. Price is $25.00 bz for the white and $30.00 bz for color tees, order at www.Jasfybelize.wordpress.com or contact 621-6791

If you really want to impress you can pair the Jasfy “I Heart U” Tee with a custom, made by order, Charm Bracelet from Leticia Gallardo which goes for only $20.00. If you don’t get both (why wouldn’t you?) atleast get one and show that person you care in a unique and special way.

So where exactly are you from?

M.N: Belmopan.

How long have you been designing?

M.N: I started around 2007 but I started out sewing my own clothes for a whole year, so I basically practiced on myself.

So how did your clothing line come about?

M.N: Well first I didn’t really plan on sewing for people, I was just doing things for myself like blouses and stuff but I saw it looked nice and people were always complementing me on my stuff, so it kind of inspired me to take it further. Then I started customizing things for my friends, of course, at this time I didn’t have a sewing machine or anything, so everything was by hand. It was a lot of work but I knew it wasn’t impossible—I mean, I don’t think anything is impossible—eventually I started learning patterns and measurements. Then some friends from Plus TV had an Art show at the George Price Center and they encouraged me to include my work. A lot of people from Belmopan and Belize City were there and the feedback was good.

M.N: After that, I got into my first fashion show in Belmopan, and that was the first time I was actually making clothes for people I didn’t know. I had to be measuring models and didn’t know how to do that but I guessed and it came out correct and everything fitted perfect. At that show people saw my stuff and liked it and started to order pieces and I still get orders from some of those clients from that first show.

What are some of the challenges of being a designer?

M.N: Well first, your main competition is the boutiques because they have the name brand stuff. But people were commenting on my pieces and saying it was the same quality as something in M&M’s; so that was when I really saw an opportunity, like ok I could do this. So I started doing things that you wouldn’t see here, I mean I went overboard, above and beyond and when people saw it they couldn’t believe it was something I did.

What are the positives of being a designer?

M.N: Well I notice like after people see what you’re trying to do and see your potential they really try to help you with exposure. For example, I’ve been invited to go to the “Caribbean Fashion Week” in Jamaica; but it is like $4000 dollars just to register, we aren’t talking about transportation and hospitality yet.

How would you describe the style you try to reflect in your work?

I stay current with the fashion world; I get inspired from designs I see in Paris or America that aren’t in Belize yet. So it’s a very fashion forward style.

Where does the inspiration come from for your work?

M.N: It’s kind of a long story but I will try to shorten it. When I was in high school I took sewing but it was like curtains and stuff and I hated it back then because the teachers just kept you in a box and you couldn’t express yourself. After I graduated from high school, I got a job and that didn’t work out. I wasn’t happy sitting in an office in front of a computer; the most I lasted on a job was five days. When they gave me my pay I said “no kip it, I don’t want it” because I was frustrated with the situation whereby people think just because you work for them they are better than you.

M.N: So after all that I was going to church and I found myself asking God what did he want from me? Like what’s going happen with my life? I mean, so many young people have no idea what they want in life and I was one of them, which is sad. Everyone was like I’m lazy and don’t want anything, so that brought me down; like I was wondering if something wrong with me. But then out of nowhere I came back to sewing and I was doing things that I had no previous training for, so I basically feel like God showed me the way; hence, the name of my line is “His Glory” because it wasn’t me that created this gift it was him that gave it to me.

How does your business work? How can someone contact you to get something done?

M.N: Well right now what you need to do is contact me, people usually find me on facebook, under Maureen Navarrete, because I post my clothes often. The process is that you tell me what you want, I take your measurements, give you my prices and then a customer would have to put a down payment. From there I tell you which cloth to buy and how much and then when you get that to me, I sew it for you. A benefit of that for the customer is that I am only charging you for the sewing, so it works out cheaper. Plus, you still get my personal designing touch.

M.N: But right now, I have enough resources to finally make my line; so that is what I am currently working on. Because usually I just sewed what people want but now I will actually be able to be creative and do things that I want to do. So starting this year people will actually be able to purchase finished pieces in select stores. However, I will still be doing orders for everyone.

Any idea on the price range yet? And what will it include?

M.N: The price range for it will still be cheaper than high end boutiques. The line will include dresses, bags, blouses and skirts.

How many boutiques do you plan to be in and who are they?

M.N: I am not sure how many boutiques I will be in, that is if any; because boutiques tend to support the name brands more. I am going to be focused in mostly resorts.

Why do you think there is reluctance to support local designers?

M.N: I think they would support you if your company gets large, maybe even international. But it shouldn’t be like that; they should be the ones to support you now when you are small and help you grow.

Do you have any advice for new designers?

M.N: When you start out remember you started from scratch. Remember when you didn’t have it. And no matter what, people will try to bring you down, so you have to stay strong.  You also have to be dedicated because to wake up at 6 a.m. in the morning and go until 3 a.m. the next morning, all for one dress is work, so you have to be dedicated.

What do you see for yourself and your work 5 years in the future?

M.N: My future…I see myself owning a clothing company, doing great work and providing jobs for people. I know so much people have the talent but they just don’t have the means to express themselves properly. I see a lot of people working who just don’t want to let go of that job to do what they really want to do or what they were called to do.

Anyone you would like to thank?

M.N: First, I have to thank God for taking me so far. I’d also like to thank my family, friends and everyone that supported me and lifted me up when things were hard, helping me to be persistent.

Check out our latest shoot with Belizean Model Alleshia and our conversation with her later this week.

Jasfy Clothing just released a couple new pieces; here is the shoot for those pieces featuring Alleshia Pollard.

To purchase go to Jasfy Clothing or to see more pics click here