Designer Kai Stewart on what's behind Jaxxon House's remarkable success
Published: 21 March 2015 | by Janine Dube
Designer Kai Stewart in one of her looks at The Clothes Show Live 2014 - Photo by OneVybe
Starting out in the fashion industry is considered by most as a venture only for the brave. It is tough and competitive and success eludes many.
However, Kai Stewart, the founder of Jaxxon House, has managed to gain considerable success with her brand in a relatively short time and so soon after graduation from Coleg Sir Gar in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
In an interview with OneVybe, the fashion designer said, "I opened my online Fashion Design Studio and Boutique Jaxxon House a month or two after graduating. It has been my dream for so long to have my own business doing what I love!"
"When I was doing my business plan in my final year in Uni I decided I would give myself six months to get my boutique onto ASOS. True to word I got on there within about two months. It's a brilliant platform to show your work as they have so much traffic worldwide!"
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Kai describes her style as quirky but classy and she added: "Even though I like to design unusual items, I would still want to design outfits and accessories that I would wear myself!
"I love recycling and up cycling so that often plays a large part in my designs, but I also like to mix it up with expensive fabrics and my own digital prints."
On how she decided on the name of her business, Kai said, "I knew I wanted to create this business around four years ago and started thinking of names for it back then.
"I kept changing my mind all the time as nothing seemed 'perfect' until I decided to use my original surname Jackson (my dad's surname) as not a lot of people know that was my surname. So it wasn't an obvious choice but I love the name Jaxxon House and once I settled on that I haven't changed my mind since.
Kai's biggest influences include Kai's mother and the renowned Italian fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.
Kai told OneVybe: "Seeing Roberto Cavalli's 'Ming Vase' dress many years ago was THE dress that made me want to be a designer…. I couldn't imagine how it must feel to design such beautiful outfits.
Roberto Cavalli Fall 2005 Fashion Show - The 'Ming Vase' dress features from 6:45 minutes
"It wasn't until years later than I actually went to University to pursue this dream though. Cavalli still remains one of my favourite designers, I also love Vivienne Westwood!
"My first ever fashion influence was my mum, she had a style all of her own! She used to rock up to pick me up from school with her wild wavy hair, in her Doc Martins, tights, big wooly jumpers, mini skirts and always lots of chunky silver jewellery.
"I begged her to dress more like the other mums but thankfully she taught me it's okay to stand out, be your own person and be confident in your own skin.
"Later on as a teenager and ever since I find myself wearing many things like my mum wore back then, proving how much she has influenced me from the very beginning."
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Kai told OneVybe she had wanted to go into fashion design for a while before she finally decided to do a fashion degree.
"I thought you could only be successful in this field if you lived in the City but eventually I got the guts to apply to do my dream career even though I had no experience they still agreed to take me onto the Degree because of my passion and enthusiasm," she said.
Going to university appears to have paid off for Kai and she said, "I loved being a student! Being around creative people is good for the soul.
"My favourite times were me and the girls sat round working on our designs or sketching, chatting about our ideas and collection, it's so good to have people to bounce ideas off and they were all such a great support!
"Since graduating I have been so busy but often working alone so you have to be extremely self motivated! I have a schedule throughout the week which I try and stick to so that I make sure I am hitting my goals.
"Also in Uni you have constant support and encouragement whereas in the real world its only YOU who is going to make anything happen for yourself so you have to stay focused and keep pushing on!"
While studying Fashion, Kai was chosen to represent her university in the Best of Higher Education Show and also won 'Learner of the Year' for the whole of Carmarthen Art.
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Since graduation, Jaxxon House has had a very successful fashion show and Kai got to the final three of a River Island Competition and produced some of her designs for their London Head Office.
Kai added, "Singer and TV Presenter Elin Fflur contacted me to wear my design for her album cover and to design for her whilst on tour.
Jaxxon House designs have featured on S4C and Kai won Top New Graduate Designer with ASOS Marketplace and the Clothes Show 2014.
"As I won the ASOS and Clothes Show competition, part of the prize was to be on ASOS for a year free of charge so I will be making the most of this opportunity with lots of designs/photoshoots etc!
"I will also be doing another Fashion Show for Jaxxon House which was a huge success last year - at the show I will be showcasing my new collections and accessories, other designers work and vintage pieces."
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
For more information:
http://www.jaxxonhouse.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaxxon-House/551178898314335
- OneVybe/JaxxonHouse
However, Kai Stewart, the founder of Jaxxon House, has managed to gain considerable success with her brand in a relatively short time and so soon after graduation from Coleg Sir Gar in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
In an interview with OneVybe, the fashion designer said, "I opened my online Fashion Design Studio and Boutique Jaxxon House a month or two after graduating. It has been my dream for so long to have my own business doing what I love!"
"When I was doing my business plan in my final year in Uni I decided I would give myself six months to get my boutique onto ASOS. True to word I got on there within about two months. It's a brilliant platform to show your work as they have so much traffic worldwide!"
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Kai describes her style as quirky but classy and she added: "Even though I like to design unusual items, I would still want to design outfits and accessories that I would wear myself!
"I love recycling and up cycling so that often plays a large part in my designs, but I also like to mix it up with expensive fabrics and my own digital prints."
On how she decided on the name of her business, Kai said, "I knew I wanted to create this business around four years ago and started thinking of names for it back then.
"I kept changing my mind all the time as nothing seemed 'perfect' until I decided to use my original surname Jackson (my dad's surname) as not a lot of people know that was my surname. So it wasn't an obvious choice but I love the name Jaxxon House and once I settled on that I haven't changed my mind since.
Kai's biggest influences include Kai's mother and the renowned Italian fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.
Kai told OneVybe: "Seeing Roberto Cavalli's 'Ming Vase' dress many years ago was THE dress that made me want to be a designer…. I couldn't imagine how it must feel to design such beautiful outfits.
Roberto Cavalli Fall 2005 Fashion Show - The 'Ming Vase' dress features from 6:45 minutes
"It wasn't until years later than I actually went to University to pursue this dream though. Cavalli still remains one of my favourite designers, I also love Vivienne Westwood!
"My first ever fashion influence was my mum, she had a style all of her own! She used to rock up to pick me up from school with her wild wavy hair, in her Doc Martins, tights, big wooly jumpers, mini skirts and always lots of chunky silver jewellery.
"I begged her to dress more like the other mums but thankfully she taught me it's okay to stand out, be your own person and be confident in your own skin.
"Later on as a teenager and ever since I find myself wearing many things like my mum wore back then, proving how much she has influenced me from the very beginning."
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Kai told OneVybe she had wanted to go into fashion design for a while before she finally decided to do a fashion degree.
"I thought you could only be successful in this field if you lived in the City but eventually I got the guts to apply to do my dream career even though I had no experience they still agreed to take me onto the Degree because of my passion and enthusiasm," she said.
Going to university appears to have paid off for Kai and she said, "I loved being a student! Being around creative people is good for the soul.
"My favourite times were me and the girls sat round working on our designs or sketching, chatting about our ideas and collection, it's so good to have people to bounce ideas off and they were all such a great support!
"Since graduating I have been so busy but often working alone so you have to be extremely self motivated! I have a schedule throughout the week which I try and stick to so that I make sure I am hitting my goals.
"Also in Uni you have constant support and encouragement whereas in the real world its only YOU who is going to make anything happen for yourself so you have to stay focused and keep pushing on!"
While studying Fashion, Kai was chosen to represent her university in the Best of Higher Education Show and also won 'Learner of the Year' for the whole of Carmarthen Art.
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
Since graduation, Jaxxon House has had a very successful fashion show and Kai got to the final three of a River Island Competition and produced some of her designs for their London Head Office.
Kai added, "Singer and TV Presenter Elin Fflur contacted me to wear my design for her album cover and to design for her whilst on tour.
Jaxxon House designs have featured on S4C and Kai won Top New Graduate Designer with ASOS Marketplace and the Clothes Show 2014.
"As I won the ASOS and Clothes Show competition, part of the prize was to be on ASOS for a year free of charge so I will be making the most of this opportunity with lots of designs/photoshoots etc!
"I will also be doing another Fashion Show for Jaxxon House which was a huge success last year - at the show I will be showcasing my new collections and accessories, other designers work and vintage pieces."
A look from the 'Quirky Folk' Collection - photo supplied by Jaxxon House
For more information:
http://www.jaxxonhouse.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaxxon-House/551178898314335
- OneVybe/JaxxonHouse
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