Rowena Social Club is a premier label founded by designer James Ford. As a trans-owned company, Rowena provides gender-equal and inclusive custom suiting as well as ready-to-wear pieces for all closets. Rowena Social Club just dropped its first four of twelve looks in the collection on November 6. The brand plans to release four looks weekly in time for the full collection to be available by Black Friday.

In his first collection release of 2023, Rowena Social Club’s founder and Creative Director James Ford is taking our closet back to simpler times where we loved to get our hands dirty and leave our plates clean: Grandma’s house.

“You don’t associate ‘fashion’ with grandma’s sewing machine. But I like the aesthetics of the past, mixed with my sense of play and silliness. That’s where this collection came from: It’s grandma chic, plus a twist of lime,” says Ford.

The former contestant on Season 2 of Next In Fashion on Netflix is eager to reveal the next chapter of Rowena Social Club.

“It’s all about simple cuts but cool details. I want people to know that they don’t need that much. If you have 90 pieces in your closet and only 10 of them are good quality, you really only need those 10,” says Ford. “This collection has the staples you need, plus the hero pieces to make any outfit wild and funky. I’m not someone who takes myself and my fashion too seriously.”

“I Am My Grandmother’s Kid” is set to release on November 6, and Ford ensures that this collection’s simple design and attention to detail caters to both fashion enthusiasts and more importantly, those who have felt snubbed by high fashion.

With 17 items ranging from tailored suiting to hoodies and accessories, I Am My Grandmother’s Kid is a collection for any occasion – and all identities.

“This collection is a complete closet for folks with any identity. Rather than saying ‘gender neutral’ clothing, I call it ‘gender equal.’ These days, you can’t look at any one piece and easily assign it to a menswear or a womenswear section,” he says.

“Lots of people try to do gender neutral clothing, but I haven’t neutralized anything. There’s cute heart buttons on a baseball jersey. Gender is freely shopped a la carte at Rowena.”

As a trans man and shopper familiar with the pains of fitting rooms and hyper-gendered clothing, Ford is no stranger to experiencing fitting problems due to the fashion industry’s patriarchal nature.

“Crochet on workwear is exactly what you wouldn’t expect, and that’s what makes it really compelling,” says Ford. “I feel like I put my favorite masculine traits, and my favorite feminine traits of clothing into a blender. I kept what I liked from both. I want the person wearing it to take a good look in the mirror, smile and confidently move on with their day. That feeling has nothing to do with gender and everything to do with wearing materials and aesthetics that make you feel cool, weird, and hot,” says Ford.

Another thing Ford prioritized in the collection was building clothing sustainably with the future of our planet in mind. “That’s why I tailor a lot of my items to customers, and create small-batch designs with deadstock fabrics, buttons, and trim. There’s plenty of fabric headed to a landfill. I’m sure my design taste can spin it into something people need, and want.”

In a time where buyers expect new wearable trends more frequently than ever before, Rowena Social Club’s latest collection is designed to take away the pressure of finding what’s next. Instead, Ford encourages shoppers to remember the simple comforts, but have fun.

“Getting dressed is hard, shopping is harder. I hope to help alleviate that. I really want people to feel chic, playful and ready for compliments.”

“It’s a fun, all-purpose collection that’s manufactured by family-owned factories in Los Angeles. That’s why I wanted to nod to Grandma’s house. That place is full of nostalgia, home-grown vibes, and quality,” says Ford.

After all, that classic quality and a few sticks of butter are why Grandma’s recipes are always the best.

“There’s this love of newness that I’m disgusted by these days. We’re all sitting on gold mines from times long past: Go ask your grandparents what they know. What was their favorite jacket? Ask them the story of their wedding suit or dress.”

“Since this is our first collection of the year and second in the brand, I wanted to use it as an opportunity to tell people this is me. This is what I believe in,” says Ford. “This is my journey thus far in a single collection, and it all began with a need to make clothes that I needed, wanted, and couldn’t find.”

James Ford Bio

James Ford is a trailblazing trans fashion designer, celebrated for his vibrant, refreshing, and playful aesthetic that redefines fashion for all ages, gender presentations, and lifestyles. Rooted in the vibrant queer community, James' designs exude a bold sense of self-expression and inclusivity. With an unwavering commitment to breaking down fashion's boundaries, he has become a beacon of individuality and empowerment.

James gained widespread recognition as a standout contestant on Netflix's "Next In Fashion," where he not only showcased his exceptional talent but also captured the hearts of fashion luminaries like Gigi Hadid and Donatella Versace. His style is fearlessly creative and describes the brand as, “7-Eleven gas station meets Ralph Lauren Purple Label.” His remarkable talent extends beyond the competition, as he has dressed notable figures like musician Andrew McMahon of Jack's Mannequin, Beth Dover of "Orange is the New Black," and Melissa Fumero of "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

In a world where fashion is an art form, James Ford's creations are a canvas of diversity and fun, capturing the essence of the ever-evolving, unapologetic, and authentic self. His work continues to inspire and empower people to embrace their uniqueness and confidently celebrate their true selves through fashion.

Website: www.rowenasocialclub.com
Instagram: @rowenasocialclub

Tearsheets by Chenglin Qu, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine
All images are photographed by CAMRAFACE

Trans Designer James Ford to Debut 2023 Fall/Winter Collection for Rowena Social Club

James Ford Bio