How Jackie Yang And JACQ’s Genderless Styles Reflect An Underserved Mixed Audience

JACQ Hoodie.jpg — MODEL VERONIKA COLLINS IN JACQ SPRING 2021, HAIR & MAKEUP BY ROBERT REYES, PRODUCTION/PR BY AM:PR NEW YORK.
PHILIPPE ROHDEWALD

By Cassell Ferere originally published on Forbes.com

Jackie Yang is the designer behind the fluid fashion brand transcending gender, JACQ. Born in Taiwan and raised in Singapore, Yang’s parents were involved in an international fine jewelry business and seeded the love for luxury fashion in Yang from an early age.

Living in different countries exposed Yang to the arts, cultures, and fashion from these regions. Influenced in part by those travels made expression more fluid in this case. Yang’s concept for a genderless fashion aesthetic would ultimately stem from his parents dressing in luxury attire they packed on their business trips.

Yang used this inspiration to pursue degrees that develop skills and creativity toward fashion. “I chose to pursue a fashion design degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology as well as jewelry design at the acclaimed Gemological Institute of America,” says Yang.

Jackie Yang, founde og genderlessbrand JACQ. Courtesy of AM:PR

Determined, Yang saw even more opportunities to grow as a designer and develop a unique language. Yang went on to earn an MBA at the New York University, gaining the business acumen needed to be successful in the fashion industry.

Based on Yang’s gender-neutral background, identifying as “Mix” within the LGBTQ community, stating “I don’t align with just one pronoun, I identify with all of them.” Far from normalcy and the fixed traditions of China, an outlet to create in truth was necessary. Self-expression was limited in Yang's adolescence, and in finding ways to do so, JACQ was born.

“I always strive to express myself freely via fashion and beauty to create images to inspire others and not to conform to the norm,” Yang says. Continuing, “I never believe anyone should dress based on the ‘norm’ to fit in. I wanted to create daily pieces that are easy, chic, and wearable. Pieces that can fit into any closet no matter your gender, age, or race.”

JACQ curates a style that simplifies getting dressed, free of pursuing a gender identity. Gender neutrality and inclusion are drivers for Yang's sartorial language. Creating garments using recycled Viscose Twill, and other organic fabrics and avoiding surplus use of plastic materials…