Jensen Jabara - Fashion Design
After a lifelong soccer career, leading me to play at the University of Washington (UW), four ACL reconstruction surgeries forced my retirement in 2023. At UW, I studied real estate, which parallels with my work as a designer by enhancing both my creative and practical understanding of design, while also shaping my business mindset. Rather than letting these injuries deter my career, I decided to pursue another one of my interests in fashion design. This led me to studying at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, Italy. There, I have gained valuable industry insights, polished my design skills and cultivated an extensive creative network that has helped shape me into the designer I am today.
My journey of recovery and renewal has taught me many valuable lessons. However, one aspect I take the most pride in is my unwavering determination in the face of obstacles or setbacks. I channeled the resilience and discipline I learned on the field into fashion design. Moreover, I viewed recovery as not just a challenge, but an opportunity to chase new dreams and rebuild from the ground up. This mindset now drives my work and everyday life.
As a designer, I draw inspiration from many different mediums; whether that be film, art, architecture, literature, or music. These sources of interest have not only shaped my created process, but have also profoundly influenced my philosophy on life itself. Film has taught me to embrace the complexities of the human condition, the coexistence of beauty and despair, and the narrative potential embedded in every detail. From art, I have learned the importance of seeing beyond the surface and finding meaning in form, color, and texture. Architecture gave me the eyes to find inspiration in shapes and silhouettes. Literature has provided me with a vocabulary of ideas, symbols, and archetypes that
reflect universal truths. Lastly, music reminds me that rhythm and harmony can be found in the unexpected.
This interdisciplinary approach fuels my mindset as a designer. I do not see fashion as an isolated discipline, but instead as a dialogue with the world around me. My aspirations are shaped by a desire to create more than just clothing; rather, I aim to craft experiences that resonate with the soul and garments that tell stories of struggle, transformation, and hope. This mindset has informed not only my work but my way of life—seeking meaning in the mundane, finding beauty in imperfection, and viewing every challenge as an opportunity for growth.
At its core, my design philosophy reflects my belief in the interconnectedness of all things. Just as film, art, architecture, literature and music are woven into the fabric of my creations, so too are the complexities of life woven into my personal journey. I live with a constant curiosity, a desire to explore deeper layers of existence, and a commitment to using fashion as a medium for expression, reflection, and, ultimately, connection.