JIMMY
F
NYSFE 2017 Designer Spotlight
or the past 15 years, Allentown, Pennsylvania
resident Jim Jackson originating from Orange,
New Jersey has run a childcare center in the city
of Allentown, Pa. Jackson being an Alumnus of
Fairleigh Dickinson University majored in Business
Administration and dreamed of one day owning his own clothing
line.
Over time Jackson embarked on several business endeavors
which included SCAW Cleaning systems an acronym for
Strength Courage And Wisdom, Bonnie and Clyde Studio
Salon, Terminal West Urban Authentic, and Ghetto Hills USA
which was a clothing brand that attained marginal success in
the golden era of hip hop, the 90’s.
“I had a stint in the fashion business in my younger days,”
Jackson says. “I thought it was time for me to embark on it
again. I always had a passion for it.”
Jackson, who now owns KULA Childcare Center as a family
owned business, says he admires the directness of children. “If
they don’t like something, they let you know,” he says. “Children
embrace the here and now.”
He wondered if he could create a clothing line that combines
an urban aesthetic with the unabashed joy of children. He drew
inspiration from the center’s cheerful mascot — a sneaker-clad
turtle named Kelmorshelby.
“It hit me: a turtle is slow and steady and what better animal
to use as a mascot,” Jackson says. “I thought I should name
my fashion line Kel, just Kel.”
22
Juskel Clothing was born. Jackson decided to expand on the
name and make it an acronym for “Just Kids Enjoying Life.”
The line, he says, is designed for adults but encourages people
to connect with their childlike playfulness.
“Sometimes as adults we lose ourselves and forget the child
inside,” Jackson says. “We want people to express themselves
no matter what they are doing and look good while doing it.”
With a mascot, a name and an idea for simple but sophisticated
clothes, Jackson sat down at his computer in 2014, and started
designing a s