Meet Caitlin Virginia Jones | Apparel Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Caitlin Virginia Jones and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Caitlin Virginia, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
One thing about my industry that people are probably unaware of is the time and dedication put into every piece. The design process has an insane amount of steps. Most of my designs start on a dress form or a mannequin where I take fabric and drape it on the form until I like the silhouette. This process is called draping. From there, I make it into a pattern by taking the fabric off of the dress form and using a ton of rulers and a little bit of geometry to make right angles, symmetry and perfect lines. I, then, meticulously cut out my fabric which is usually multiple layers. Everything has to be perfectly precise during these processes. Next is pinning, basting, sewing, matching up corners, matching up seams, ironing, sewing again, surging, cutting excess, hand sewing, and several other tiny adjustments needed for a proper fit. Most of my pieces have taken over 20 hours each but I wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s no better feeling than a perfected garment after hours of work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love creating clothes, especially dresses because it is just so fun. It is really an outlet to express myself that brings me so much joy. I love the process of having a vision and then watching it come to life. The satisfaction of a successful piece is immensely worth all of the stressful hours put in. I’m most excited to share my creations with others and hope they fall in love with my work as much as I do. I hope one day to create classy and unique designs for everyone to enjoy and feel beautiful in. I know how much style plays a role in confidence and it is so essential to our self-love to find something that makes you feel comfortable and beautiful in. It has definitely been challenging to balance my work life, school life, personal life, and my career goals. I find myself saying yes to projects that I should probably decline, but at the end of it all, I’m always grateful that I accepted the challenge.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Memphis is so full of life and culture. There are so many amazing things to do here and hidden gems. If my best friend was visiting the area, here is what I would plan:
First we would coffee and breakfast at Congregation Coffee. They have an amazing ambiance and great food and coffee. I go there a lot to work and really enjoy the atmosphere. Then of course we would go shopping in Saddle Creek. Specifically, we would hit the amazing small businesses that we have like More Than Words, Southern Avenue Company, and Mozelle Boutique. Then we would get lunch and margs at Local Lime. Next we would head downtown and I would show her the iconic Peabody hotel along with the Memphis bridge and walk around Harbortown. Then we would end the night at Paula Raifords Disco for drinks and dancing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have so many people to thank for my support. First and foremost, I thank God for giving me the talent, passion and opportunities that he has gifted me with. Every open door is a blessing from him and I owe it all to him. My parents also deserve so much of my gratitude. They have always encouraged me to do what I love and to chase after my dreams, no matter what. They’re my biggest cheerleaders. I truly couldn’t do it without them. Last but certainly not least, my boyfriend and friends play huge roles as supporters. They always cheer me on, push me and pick me up when I need some encouragement. I’m blessed with an amazing support system and couldn’t be more thankful for each one of them.

Instagram: @caivdesigns