Elevated Ease for Women of Influence
FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS in the U.S.
MENU
One-of-a-kind statement piece jackets and lightweight coats.
ABOUT J.MULLIN APPAREL
We are a small start-up apparel business that specializes in designing and creating elevated and sophisticated statement piece toppers: short and long jackets and coats that are lightweight and easy to pair with so many things a woman of influence has in her wardrobe. Designed to be versatile, our pieced can be dressed up or down for almost any occasion, and are a woman's go-to topper for instantly elevating her style to a new level of panache and sophistication.
Like most innovations, our products evolved out of necessity. As a corporate marketing and communications director, I had to show up as my best self every day. But, when I found myself in business situations that required me to be persuasive and convincing, it was important for me to dress the part, and take it to a higher level. I quickly learned how to take classic corporate looks and add an artistic edge and some elevated drama.
As I evolved into the more artistic roles of designing model homes for a builder and getting involved with interior design for corporate settings as well as residential, my passion for art took over, and I took the plunge into decorative painting for walls and furniture. For a few years, while living in California, I painted murals and decorative finishes on walls and furniture, including restorative trompe l'oeil techniques. Art is art, and it kind of ends up taking over everything, which is the best possible place to be. Eventually, my love for combining colors, textures and patterns took over, and I began repurposing denim jackets into one-of-a-kind wearable collages of intricate cut-away patterns and repurposed fabrics, and handprinted leather cowboy boots and vintage leather handbags.
My artistic endeavors led me into designing two retail women's apparel boutiques in the San Francisco Bay Area, which opened up my imagination to the world of fashion, including some modeling, professional styling services and assisting with some of the buying at fashion markets.
After nine years in California, our family relocated to Kansas City, where we have been for almost 7 years now.
Upon moving to a place where I had no clients, and no history, I once again reinvented myself. Here's how it happened:
The J.MULLIN APPAREL Story
One day I went to my closet looking for something to wear to a swanky event, and could not put an outfit together to save my life. So, I did what most women in my situation would do: I went shopping. Bad idea. I was desperate to find something that would give me the confidence I needed to go to the event. Being new in town, I did not know anyone, and wanted to feel that I was showing up as the best version of myself.
I went to every upscale boutique and department store I could find, but ended up not finding anything that was acceptable. Nothing fit. Nothing seemed sophisticated or elevated enough. The store staff hardly spoke to me at all. I felt invisible and insignificant. I went home empty-handed.
As a last resort, I pulled out some fabrics I had been collecting for another purpose, and started combining the prints and the magic started to happen. By the time I was finished, I had cut out and sewn a unique long jacket that was a collage of interesting fabrics and had a slimming silhouette. Pairing it with some long, flowing pants and a sleeveless top, I truly felt fabulous walking into that intimidating event.
That night a woman came up to me and asked me where I got the beautiful jacket and told me she would buy it in a heartbeat. Inspiring me to start making more of them, I did just that. Within a year I was working with a team of pattern makers and sewing professionals to create an entire collection of kimono-inspired jackets and robes that pair nicely with so many classic separates that most women already own.
Inspired by women who are confident and are not afraid to be seen and heard, I love to provide them with an alternative to what typical retailers have to offer. As we enter the most productive time of our lives -- when we are so ready to be all we were born to be, and have so many opportunities to be a force for good in this world, women deserve to have options for dressing well. We deserve to be able to find flattering and lovely things to wear as we enter our prime.
Giving Back
This has become a personal mission for me. I have met and come to know so many fabulous people, and the opportunities for helping others are everywhere.
My husband, Bill and I are committed to helping to support non-profit organizations that provide services to those who are recovering from addiction and/or abusive situations so they can get a new start in life.
Among the organizations we support are Healing House and Morning Glory Ministries in Kansas City and the House of Ruth recovery house ministry in Bill's hometown of Connersville, Indiana.
Joanne Mullin
It is gratifying to see lives transformed. Whether through the efforts of others whom we can support, or through making garments that help women see themselves in a new way, the true transformation is my own.
My deepest desire is to inspire women to see themselves as the beautiful and talented people that they are; to give them the confidence to embrace their flaws and the grace to overcome their self-consciousness, so that they can be the amazing force for good that they were born to be.
If I can help women with that transformation, I am living out my purpose.