THE STORY BEHIND JANIE
A lifelong love of style, rooted in where I come from.
I grew up in Washington Heights, New York, surrounded by love, family, and the richness of my Dominican culture. Some of my earliest memories of style are tied to my grandmother. She was always beautifully put together and loved fashion, beauty, and makeup. I would sit and watch as she got ready, completely captivated by the care she put into every detail. I believe she is where my love of fashion first began.
As a child, I was fortunate to spend many summers in the Dominican Republic. I would unpack the clothes from my suitcase, hang them up, and turn them into a make-believe store for my cousins and friends. Back home, I did the same thing. I was always playing store, dressing my Barbies, and creating new looks for them. Eventually, I began drawing clothing of my own.
My mother has always believed in me and supported my creativity. When she saw how much I loved fashion, she bought me a Barbie fashion-design game for our home computer. Later, she found a high school program at the Fashion Institute of Technology. From the moment I experienced FIT, I fell in love—with the school, the creativity, and the world of design surrounding me.
Although I began college out of state, I never let go of my dream of attending FIT. I transferred during my sophomore year and lived in the dorms in the heart of New York City. Being immersed in that environment made my love of fashion grow even more. I had the opportunity to intern and work within the industry at some of the world’s most recognized fashion houses and designers, and I was fortunate to work directly with a few of them. Those experiences gave me an intimate understanding of the design process, craftsmanship, and the level of detail behind truly exceptional clothing. I eventually became a personal shopper at Barneys New York, where I worked closely with clients to help them discover pieces that made them feel confident and elevated.
Those experiences taught me to look beyond the surface of a garment—to notice fabric, construction, fit, proportion, styling, and, most importantly, how clothing can make a woman feel.
Life eventually led me in a different direction. To support myself and build a stable career, I entered the world of finance, working first at a leading hedge fund and later at one of the country’s oldest investment firms. It was an unexpected chapter, but my love for fashion never disappeared.
Becoming a mother, along with the encouragement and support of my husband, drew me back to the part of myself that had always been there. JANIE was born from that return.
Every piece offered by JANIE is thoughtfully sourced and personally selected by me. I consider the fabric, fit, quality, versatility, and feeling of each piece—not simply what is trending. My years of experience working within the fashion industry, including alongside some of its most respected designers, have shaped my eye, but it is my genuine love for fashion that guides every collection.
When I am curating for JANIE, I become that little girl again—the one watching her grandmother get ready, arranging clothes into a store, and imagining new looks for her Barbies.
JANIE is deeply personal to me. It is rooted in my family, my culture, my experiences, and a love of style that has stayed with me for as long as I can remember.
I’m so grateful to finally share that love with you.
With love,
Janie
Founder, JANIE