a visual timeline

My Career

I am Jon Phenom.

*I am a designer & youtuber.
I help launch clothing lines for start-up brands and influencers in need of merch.

Being inspired by Hip Hop, art and the emerging streetwear scene in 2000, I started designing clothing at a skate company in San Diego, California. After working on computer design programs, I wanted to cut and sew things myself so I began hand making denim jeans. Long before youtube, I was known as Jon Phenom the hand made denim guy. I sold bespoke denim at $300 per pair. This lead to several collabs with notable artists around the world.

Snapshots of my career in fashion.

Met designer, alyasha

At 18, I met influential designer Alyasha Owerka-Moore who was Creative Director at the time for 2 apparel brands (Droors Clothing & DUB Outerwear) connected with DC Shoes. Meeting a successful designer changed my entire direction in life and steered me toward fashion.

Follow Alyasha at @StackAly went on the be founder of Alphanumerics & Fiberops.

AuG 1996

Jan 2016 — Jul 2017

FILLING SKETCHBOOKS

I had no idea what I was doing. So I began filling graffiti books with garment sketches. I bean searching aggressively for an internship or entry level into a clothing label.

Actual flat sketches from the late 90's.

1st job - osiris skate shoe

MY PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY IN FASHION BEGINS

Initially, I thought I was going to have lunch with the acting Art Director/ Footwear Designer Persue. This turned into a job interview with the Co-Founder Brian Reid. Persue, whom already made a name as a world renowned graffiti artist actually gave me the name 'Jon Jon Phenomenon' with the Dungeon Crew aka Osiris Art Dept.

Now based in NYC, Persue is the creator of BunnyKitty.

DEC 1999

May 2001

Hand made denim guy

JON PHENOM BESOKE DENIM

After working behind the computer, I wanted to really work with fabrics and fits a lot more. My mother had a broken sewing machine that I fixed and I began sewing things together. Eventually, I made hand made jeans. My friend Rickey Kim decided to e my PR and I began taking orders worldwide. A bespoke pair of Jon Phenom denim started at $300.

Way before youtube, Jon was the 'hand made denim' guy

DRUNKNMuNKY, Designer

WORKING WITH PETER KIM

Early in 2002, I moved to K-Town and worked in off 13th & Towne in Downtown Los Angeles. Working with Tony Chu and Peter Kim, founder of Husdon Jeans was a gift and an honor. Balancing the hand made jean operation and working seasons of apparel design during the day left me little sleep but was so fulfilling.

Quarterly line review of all categories.

feb 2003

july 2004

EZEKIEL, senior men's designer

MAKING SENIOR DESIGNER AT 26

In the mid 2000, I graduated to Senior Men's Designer, at notable skate & surf brand, Ezekiel. Embracing the board sport/ action sports genre, the brand had a huge roster of pro athletes. It is the largest brand I've worked for to date.

Ezekiel made 13 categories of means apparel.

launched, jon phenom brand

A REAL LIFE BA IN ENTREPRENURSHIP

In 2007, I thought it was time to introduce my own premium denim brand. This would come to be one a valuable education. Though many loved the styles I created my retail execution and lack of sales knowledge was ultimately my downfall.

Original Jon Phenom signature designs.

Feb 2007

sep 2008

started youtube channel

DESIGNER ADVICE IS BORN

Not having any specific plans, I started my channel as a way to disperse information faster. I was the guy that a friend of a friend would ask about starting a clothing line, since I worked in the industry.

fortune 421, Apparel design

Following the fall of my brand I returned to San Diego. Through mutual friend Dj Fresh One, I met Jason Herrick founder of Fortune 421, a thriving production company transitioning into fashion. I simultaneously began deep consulting with a number of other brands.

jan 2009

may 2012

ORISUE, CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DIRECTING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

In 2012, I moved to Tustin, CA in Orange County. Orisue was a well establish menswear brand with a strong international distribution. I grew as a director here. The internship designers I cultivated went on to work at brands such as Under Armor, Young N Wreckless, Vans and Stussy

UNION PRINTS, CO-FOUNDER

BEING THE VENDOR

Following the the closing of the Orisue office, I partnered with JJ Stacks to form Union Prints Co. in Vista, California. The production company services high volume clients for screen printing, embroidery, dtg and retail ready finishing services.

jUNE 2013

Feb 2016

BLVD SUPPLY, BRAND DIRECTOR

RUNNING EVERYTHING (NOT JUST APPAREL)

After freelancing for some time, I moved back to Los Angeles to join the BLVD Supply team. With the rise of influencers, micro audiences and a swift fall of traditional retail, we with many other brands were trying to prosper in the new normal.

Brand Directing encompassed much more than just product development, It also involved me staffing, legal and digital marketing.

speaking at google

THE EMAIL SAID 'HELLO INFLUENCER'

In Oct 2017, I was invited with a group of fashion influencers to speak at #DressCode, a conversation about technology, fashion and education. Hosted by actress Ciara Ramirez at Google LA. Additional speakers included Shirin Selemnia (founder of Playwerks and Whizgirl Academy), DIY fashion Youtuber Brittany Dke and Youtube superstar Cloe Couture.

Fashion Influencer Panel at Google, LA.

oct 2017

PRESENT

speaking/hosting

HEY INTERNETS WORLD

I continue to speak in Art Schools, Colleges, companies and organizations. I feature in podcasts, panels and events.

Book Jon for FREE

CLOTHING BRAND ACADEMY

COURSES / DESIGN TEMPLATES

Launched CBA platform to provide solutions for start-up clothing brands.

Check out CBA

JAN 2020

OCT 2022

Host of 'new energy'

TV/ Streaming series on MYX Global

Each episode guest have a 30 min window of time in a thrift shop to find an outfit to give New Energy in a Los Angeles studio.

Watch Episodes on MYX Global

LAUNCH 'NONBETA'

APPAREL, MERCH & MEDIA COMPANY

Nonbeta (Meaning "This is not a Test") is a platform for collabs and merch. See complete BTS.

Check out Nonbeta

JAN 2023

NOW

BRAND BUILDER. MERCH PROVIDER.

#CLOTHINGBRANDMENTOR
#MERCHMENTOR

a.) Currently providing council for start-up brands via youtube as the Clothing Brand Mentor.
b.) A growing business category is building fashion capsules for a new generation of influencers.

Currently based in Los Angeles.