Vintage clothing companies have seen a recent surge in popularity due to the ability to offer consumers products made with authentic materials that have the same quality and craftsmanship that was present in the past. The look might be what initially attracts customers to the products, but it is the craftsmanship that makes them come back for more. If anything, the clothes are seen as hipster garments that are worn for fashion rather than comfortable clothing.
However, if you ask Jene Park, she will describe the vintage mindset as being more than just an appreciation for products made in the old days. Rather, it is a return to craftsmanship and quality that is slowly becoming lost under today’s industrial production techniques.
Jene joined Recycled Karma Brands as its Creative Director back in 2018 and now spearheads the company as its CEO. Leveraging over two decades of experience, including design, sales, production, and more, Jene is taking Recycled Karma Brands to new heights through her ideas and innovation as a veteran in the fashion industry.
A Long, Fruitful Journey
Jene Park began working in the fashion industry in the mid-to-late-1990s. Unlike several of her contemporaries, she did not choose this as a professional route from an early stage. In spite of having discovered the business later in life, Park has flourished and has used her expertise and training to establish herself as one of the most highly sought-after individuals in the fashion industry today.
Hailing originally from South Korea, Jene immigrated to the U.S. and chose to do her schooling at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in California. Her talent quickly rose in the good books of people as Jene was named a recipient of the Fred Hayman Award. Moreover, grabbing the scholarship from Maison Lesage allowed her to study the business and embroidery skills of the renowned Persian embroidery atelier.
After building the foundations of her career from the Fashion school, Jene stepped into the industry by serving Max Azria, Founder of BCBG. There she learned two of the most important traits that were going to define her professional life — Hard work and Perseverance. With these traits as her primary weapon, Jene mastered the skill of being persistent and never giving up on her dreams. True dedication, perseverance, and hard work are also something Jene advises young, emerging, and aspiring business leaders to focus on in order to attain success.
At BCBG, Jene shined in the eyes of the public and played a key role in the company’s growth. Being instrumental in paving the path for product development, sourcing, pre-production, and production, Jene managed an impressive portfolio of 12 brands in over 3,000 points of sale. She took their $2 million in annual revenues to an outstanding height of $700 million in 2005.
Thereafter, Jene envisioned a new entrepreneurial ambition to venture out on her own. With the robust experience behind her back, she introduced Jen E Jen to the world, a product development and production consultancy firm for apparel and accessories companies worldwide. Vera Wang, St. John, Seven for All Mankind, Vince, and many more prominent brands formed close relationships with the brand. Such success propelled Jene to lead the international luxury brand Thomas Wylde as its COO.
At Thomas Wylde, Jene Park handled all the company’s day-to-day operations including driving the brand’s vision. She also oversaw the complete spectrum of the company including sales, product development, production, quality control, and logistics. Just like her previous adventures, Jene played a significant part in the company’s growth and drove it to become a world-renowned luxury brand. There, she was also promoted to the position of Creative Director and partner.
And after continuous success at BCBG Max Azria Group, Jen E Jen, Thomas Wylde, Jene has now led her focus on our surrounding environment by being the Creative Director at Recycled Karma Brands. It is a vintage and classically inspired brand with a portfolio of AC/DC, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, KISS, Def Leppard, Blondie, NASA, Woodstock, and much more.
Jene has been appointed to the role of CEO of Recycled Karma Brands since taking over the company’s reins, and she is on a quest to expand the company’s product lines further than they have ever been. Aside from this, Jene and her staff are working tirelessly to increase the company’s services while also ensuring that they are totally sustainable.
While Jene has mastered all the nitty-gritty details of being a tremendous leader, she now aims to take Recycled Karma Brands to new heights of sustainability. Her future entails conquering the world with the best t-shirts in the fashion industry. Obviously, her focus is vintage-inspired, impeccable quality, and most stylish looks at unbeatable prices.
As the company currently serves the consumers of the U.S., the goal for the next year is also to expand into international markets with a target of reaching 35 to 40 countries by 2025. Jene has also kept her keen eyes on expanding the Recycled Karma Brand’s product line beyond t-shirts to wear, including accessories.
More About Recycled Karma Brands
Recycled Karma Brands, based in Los Angeles, is a privately held, full-service, luxury apparel company that is noted for its vintage-inspired aesthetics, high-quality clothes, and enhanced fashion designs.
By partnering with the world’s most recognized brands through licensing, branding, manufacturing, and private label agreements, the company has gained access to the nation’s most prestigious boutiques, department stores, and retailers. The company is primarily concerned with high-end fashion bodies, washes, treatments, and styling.
Towards Greener Earth
Jene Park is of the opinion that the fashion industry is one of the most environmentally damaging industries. She feels that industry leaders around the world must come together to revamp the way we create and use our products. That is why Jene has made it a point to design a fashion line with function and purpose, as well as to contribute to the environment by offering clients fashionable and environmentally friendly options.
Recycled Karma Brand’s green label t-shirt is created using five recycled water bottles and post-industrial cotton, all of which are sourced domestically in Los Angeles. Jene is also looking for like-minded individuals and world leaders to join her vision and help her develop a comprehensive range of environmentally-friendly and sustainable product lines.
