JANICE…passion, attention to detail, positivity, fun, and quality. As we write this, we’re not sure whether to write it in the third person or let it come from our own perspective. Since we do everything based on our gut feeling and don’t like nonsense or pretentiousness, we’ve decided to write the Founders page in our own voice…
The JANICE label has been around for almost 15 years, but we’ve been running it together for the past 4.5 years. Andy joined the company on February 1, 2018. My 15 years of experience as a designer and his nearly 30 years of retail experience came together to bring the company to where we are today.
If there’s one thing we have in common, it’s our overwhelming passion for women’s fashion. As a couple, we talk about collections 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Inspiration comes all day long, everywhere… as long as you keep your eyes open.
When we set sail together in February 2018, we began to adjust our course. Who were we? What did JANICE stand for? Who did we want to dress? Where did we want to go, and how would we get there? We embarked on this journey together with Stephan van de Kimmenade, creative director of the company We Are Someone. On this journey, we needed someone who could help us pinpoint our focus—someone who could summarize what we stood for, what our values were, and, above all, how to bring it all to life. Stephan quickly realized that for us, it had to be a playground where anything is possible, but where, above all, we want to let others shine in our creations.
As the founders of the brand, we’re mindful of every choice we make—not only in the collection we design but also in the footprint we leave on the world. Everything we do is carefully thought out; every decision is weighed.
Long before “sustainability” became a trendy buzzword, we’ve always produced with sustainability in mind. For us, producing as sustainably as possible has always been the only option and the only way forward.
There are many ways to work sustainably. Do you work close to home? Is there any waste left over, or do you ensure there is none? Do you reuse materials, sort production waste, ship in biodegradable plastic, etc.
? For us, these practices are standard—a given—but we also want to emphasize a few other points:
First and foremost, we can only create beautiful products if we seek out the finest materials to work with. That’s why we source the finest viscose, the softest wool, the highest-quality leathers, luxurious silk, and stretch denim for our jeans. Nothing but the best is good enough for you…and that way, you’ll enjoy them for a long time. Not fast fashion, but slow fashion;
The people who make our clothes must work under good conditions, with normal working hours and a fair wage. If we reward those who make them well, they’ll ensure we get the finest items. We believe in fair distribution and that everyone should receive what they deserve.
JANICE’s fascination with clothing comes from his family. His grandmother was a unique, distinctive, stylish woman with a strong, characteristic way of life. A woman who did whatever she wanted and dressed accordingly. Even today, people know exactly who Enny Manola was when JANICE talks about his grandmother.
His mother, however, didn’t know how to dress, and to help her look her best and shine, JANICE began taking charge of her wardrobe. When he saw the compliments she received—but especially the effect those compliments had on her—he knew what he wanted to be: a fashion designer!
As the child of retailers, Andy designed all his own clothes in his parents’ studio. The sketches he made and the fabric he bought himself at the market came to life through his parents’ seamstresses.
His grandmother also took him shopping, whether it was for herself or for him… his sense of fashion was instilled in him from a young age.
After working in retail for nearly 30 years, it was time for a change, and he wanted to put everything he’d learned to use and join forces with JANICE. He wanted retailers to have a fair supplier and to ensure that customers could count on a brand that offered rich basics and stood for fun, key pieces, and quality.
JANICE 2.0 was born, and nearly 5 years later, here we are.
Even in our wildest dreams, we couldn’t have imagined we’d be where we are today. That’s not to say that hard work always pays off, but if you persevere, it can lead to something great. We really enjoy the nice messages and emails we receive when people get their clothes…and that’s why we do it!
We select the items we create based on quality, how they feel, and also the feeling the garment evokes in those who put it on and wear it. It should give you confidence, make you shine, and give you strength when you need it. How great is it when you have a job interview and you’re wearing a gorgeous women’s suit? Or how about a beautiful dress you slip on for a first date on a summer evening? The right look can bring out the best version of yourself…and if we can help you with that even a little bit, that would be great! All of this can only be achieved with the finest quality.
To achieve all of this, we work exclusively with the finest fabrics. For blouses and dresses, we use only natural fabrics such as viscose, silk, and cotton. For jackets, we use leather, wool, blended fabrics, and cotton. For our knitwear, we use only wool fabrics that are hypoallergenic and very soft: cashmere, baby alpaca, fine merino wool, and cotton or viscose. We make our women’s suits from rich crepe, viscose blends, or cotton. Our jeans and denim clothing are made from carefully selected stretch denim fabrics. Not every fabric is suitable for every style. For our leather items, we use only the finest leather… nothing but the best is good enough for our collection.
In addition, we seek out the best manufacturer for each product so that the items are crafted by specialists—family-run businesses and skilled artisans who create the most beautiful pieces with a passion for JANICE.
Another core value we live by is that designing the collection should be like a playground. We must be able to create with complete freedom. There are no limitations—everything is possible. Plus, we shouldn’t take life too seriously; whatever we do, it has to stay fun.
Everything we do is driven by intense passion. Driven like crazy, we work on the collection every single day. All day long, we soak everything up like a sponge and incorporate our visions into the collection. Passion and drive don’t even begin to capture the extent of our obsession with fashion and clothing. We’re just like two little kids in the biggest toy store, able to make anything we want.
The details we incorporate into our clothing are well-received by many women. From luxurious logo buttons to a richly printed stretch lining. The way we finish a piece and the stitching we use. How about the unique labels and the detailed care labels? From the color and quality of the leather lining in a shoe to the finish of the belts. The details we put into JANICE make all the difference.
When you radiate and share positivity, you receive just as much goodness in return. We firmly believe that what you give comes back to you. If we can help you be the best version of yourself—so that you feel good and stay positive—then our mission is a success, and we hope some of our sparkles have rubbed off on you!
