While most people are groggily searching for the snooze button at 7am, then reluctantly rousing themselves out of bed, you can bet on finding local designer Jourdan Christopher already at his sewing machine, deep into the process of repurposing something like discarded curtains into a one-of-a-kind statement piece sure to turn heads and elevate any outfit. Who’s to say that paisley curtains can’t become polo shirts or that your discarded denim jeans can’t become a custom patchwork jacket? This is the daily reality at the One Oak Artwear studio, where Christopher’s approach to upcycling unlocks a beautiful paradox that I’ll call “spontaneous intentionality,” embodying his philosophy that sustainability and style aren’t mutually exclusive. Christopher’s journey to founding One Oak Artwear illustrates how some of the most innovative and groundbreaking new creations often emerge out of life’s detours. During our conversation, he dropped gem after gem of wisdom that could only come from someone whose path has been as unique as his brand’s “one of a kind” philosophy. Originally from Detroit, he moved to Boston after attending college in Maine, then spent a few years in corporate sales before coming to a crossroads. “I got depressed and quit that job,” he frankly recalls.
He would then spend seven years working as a freelance photographer before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, seemingly upending everything. Christopher would buy an RV and live the life of a digital nomad and travel all across the country, taking a break from photography as creative block set in. “I thought that I lost the creative spark,” he shares. Eventually, he found himself in RI, working remotely for a Providence-based company. It was here that he met his partner Rosalie, who taught him how to sew and helped him reconnect to his creative force. “I just redirected my creativity from one medium to another,” he explains, a shift that would become the foundation for One Oak Artwear. As I alluded to earlier, the name “One Oak” is actually an acronym and reference to Christopher’s core philosophy: “One of a Kind.” Interestingly enough, the concept actually emerged out of necessity. “When I was learning to sew, I realized how expensive things were in terms of supplies,” he explains. “I went to Savers, got curtains and blankets to practice on. Just because it was a curtain before doesn’t mean it can’t be a jacket now.”
As he delved deeper into learning about the world of fashion, Christopher would come to gain a deeper understanding of its detrimental environmental impacts. “The fashion industry is the highest producer of material waste we have on our planet,” Christopher states. “I want people to realize there’s not only one way, and the way the fashion industry has been doing it for years isn’t the best way. It’s very harmful to our planet.” But One Oak Artwear’s mission isn’t just environmental; It’s deeply tied to self-love, confidence, and showing up authentically. Christopher draws a parallel between his freelance photography days and work as a designer: “When I was a photographer, my desire was to make people feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. That’s the same desire behind One Oak. I didn’t like the way clothes from stores fit me, and realized there are a lot of other people who felt the same, like the clothes weren’t an accurate representation of who they are as a person.”
One Oak is Christopher’s way of instilling in people that, “You already have everything you need.” His daily routine reflects the discipline of someone who truly loves what they do and seeks to continuously hone their craft. “Up at 3 AM most days, to the studio no later than 5 AM,” he explains. “I do prep for the piece I’m making that day in those early hours, done by 7:30, take a break, walk the dog and eat breakfast, gym, then back to the studio to work on the piece I prepped that morning, and then I’m typically able to finish by early afternoon.” I asked him how he finds balance and rest when not meticulously designing his pieces. The afternoon hours are reserved for just that: hiking, kayaking, or conducting sewing workshops in the evenings where he shares his craft with others.
PVD has proven to be a perfect backdrop for Christopher’s work. “There are so many artists in this city,” he notes. “Being surrounded by so many creative people has helped me to restart my own creative practice. Even though it’s an old and established city, its art community is young, vibrant, and hungry.” How does one carve out space for themselves as an artist in a place with so much competition? “I come into a space and try to figure out how I can amplify it, nudge myself into the gaps,” Christopher relays. “Providence has a lot of opportunity and not too many people stepping on each other’s toes.” He describes the PVD art scene as a way of life rather than just a thing to do, and he appreciates how welcoming it feels for an artist to see murals and spaces made for creativity where they live. When it comes to conversations of fashion’s sustainable future, Christopher is optimistic. “I think we’re already on the way there. Even though the power is at the top, all the creativity is at the bottom. What smaller designers and brands do gets implemented at the top. Very visible upcycling is starting to become cool.”
Looking ahead, Christopher envisions scaling both his creative output and educational impact. Plans include acquiring his own brick-and-mortar space, partnerships with fabric manufacturers, and expanded workshops that could “inspire the next generation of designers who can take what I’ve given them and go in their own direction.” And his bigger goal? “Get to the point of being a renowned designer. Getting invited to participate in Rhode Island Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week. I’ve got a lot to learn and a lot to prove.” For aspiring designers (or creatives of all types, for that matter), Christopher offers meaningful and actionable wisdom: “Don’t rush. Allow the world to inspire you. Accept that your vision may change as time progresses. Embrace that change. And know that you’ve got this. You wouldn’t have the vision if you didn’t have the capacity for bringing it into existence in this world.”
“What we see in other artists that inspires us is something that we can also find in ourselves,” he emphatically states. Christopher understands the importance of studying his craft and all that came before him to ultimately create something new and unique. In an industry built on fleeting trends and planned obsolescence that results in harmful material waste, One Oak Artwear presents something different: the idea that sustainability and style aren’t mutually exclusive, and that the future of fashion might just be found in what was thrown away in the past. •
Follow One Oak Artwear on Instagram (@ oneoakartwear) and visit their shop (oneoakartwear. com) for news, updates, or to get in contact and commission your own unique piece!