Meet Haley Emerson
Canvas Rebel
We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Haley Emerson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Haley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My luxury fashion brand was born from a moment of clarity. I had been working for fashion houses in London and New York. While I learned a ton and I am so grateful for those experiences, I couldn’t ignore the fact that I was building someone else’s legacy with my own creative energy. That was the ‘aha!’ moment that pushed me to finally launch my own luxury fashion brand.
I was determined to bring my distinctive design aesthetic to life and share it with the world. My vision is to create bold, fun styles for women and children you can’t find anywhere else. My brand is all about celebrating unapologetic self-expression and giving women the confidence to be themselves. I believe fashion should be a fun, powerful experience, and my designs are made to bring a joy to both the person wearing them and everyone around them.
Haley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Growing up outside of Detroit, Michigan, my calling for fashion was clear from a young age. I spent my childhood sketching dresses, sewing, and creating my own magazines. It was no surprise that I went on to earn my BFA in Fashion Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After graduation, I honed my skills in London and New York, specializing in patternmaking and technical design.
Driven by my love for design and quality craftsmanship, I launched my namesake luxury clothing and accessory brand, Haley J. All of our pieces are designed in my Scottsdale, Arizona studio. Each product begins as a colorful and bold idea and evolves through countless hours of dreaming and sketching. Every Haley J. piece is meticulously made in America in small batches, featuring hand-sewn crystals and custom pleats. Our top priority is an unwavering commitment to attention to detail, impeccable fit, and sourcing the highest quality materials globally. Through our feminine silhouettes, our clothing is designed to make you feel powerful, beautiful, and confident.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
Having received technical training in patternmaking and garment fit, I have a deep understanding of proper garment construction. This knowledge was a huge advantage when I began looking for a manufacturer. I knew what to look for in a partner, and I was committed to producing my collection domestically to support American manufacturing. However, it did take some trial and error to find the perfect manufacturing partners—ones who prioritized both quality and integrity in their business practices.
At Haley J., we produce all our garments in New York City and all footwear in Los Angeles. This allows me to maintain a hands-on relationship with the entire production process. I can regularly visit the factories, work directly with pattern-makers and sewers, and make real-time adjustments to ensure every detail is absolute perfection.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the necessity of being confident in my identity as both a person and a designer. In college and in the fashion industry, I felt frequently misunderstood. I was often pressured by peers and superiors to change my design aesthetic. When I gave in and tried to conform, I failed. But when I stayed true to my vision, I often succeeded. This taught me that having bold, fearless confidence in yourself and your vision is one of the most challenging but crucial steps to achieving success.
Image Credits
Monica Farber, Autumn Cates
