Jada Williams is Leading the Future of Fashion
Everything you need to know about the president of FADS.
by BELLA TABAK ★ DECEMBER 2, 2024
Jada Williams, a junior from Dallas, Texas, credits her interest in fashion to her sister, remembering the fashion shows they put on at home as children. “My sister is actually a fashion designer right now,” said Williams, “She really paved the way for me, especially with clothes and accessories.”
Now Williams’ online portfolio shows her experience in almost every corner of the fashion industry, with experience in graphic design, styling, hair and makeup, set construction, fashion design, production, and creative direction. While she was interested in studying graphic design, she ultimately decided on fashion design through Syracuse’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Williams started sewing during the pandemic by making masks and patchworking other garments, “then it got more serious when I came to Syracuse my freshman year. I feel like I was just built for the sewing machine,” said Williams.
If you spot Williams on campus, you will see her alternative, goth style, head to toe in baggy, black clothing and silver accessories. She tries to implement her style into her designs with chain accessories, leather, denim, draping, and oversizing. “I did a collection recently that was based off of Dune,” said Williams, “I want it to be something that replicates what I wear, but still something that can be shown within the fashion industry that’s never been seen before.”
“She pays attention,” said Audrey Grant, a VPA professor who teaches sewing basics to first-year fashion design students, “and the stuff she makes, it's gorgeous.” In her class, Grant watched Williams give her time and experience to other students when they needed it. “And she'd do it kindly and smile, but she just kept excelling and excelling,” said Grant.
Production is also important to Williams, a skill she practices through her position as president of the Fashion Design Society. The organization connects students with different interests in the fashion industry for photoshoots and their annual fashion show, which Williams oversees the creative and technical aspects of.
Grant stressed that leading an organization like FADS while studying fashion design is not easy. Williams is working to coordinate many different elements of the show, such as publicity, designers, personality types, and music. “Plus, they have to keep their grades for everything they do here, which is hours and hours of work,” said Grant. “FADS just doesn't happen. It's like being an instructor like I am.”
Not only is Williams excelling in this position, but she also enjoys doing it. “I love being in charge,” she said. “I don't know what it is, like I can design for days, that's something that I will never let up. But production, oh my god, there is just so much that goes into it and I love the thrill.”
Aidan Turner, a fifth-year architecture student, and the vice president of FADS, said he was impressed with Williams’ dedication to the organization when they started working together. “She’s always on top of it… she always has my back which is so, so helpful,” said Turner.
While Williams believes her leadership experience with FADS will help her attain her career goals, she is also gaining experience from other opportunities. During the last New York Fashion Week, Williams interned with Avante-Garde designer Elena Velez’s production team. She recalled the designer’s iconic collab with UGGs, where they spray painted the boots black.“It made me fall in love with doing production and being back of house,” said Williams. “Although I hate missing the fashion show… I’m seeing everything go into motion and I’m seeing all the garments and makeup getting done, it’s so fun.”
This experience also allowed Williams to represent her viewpoint in the industry, being the only Black production assistant on the team. Williams called this a “reality check” that the extra work she had done to get to this position was worth it. She also felt that there were, “a lot of people within the environment who kind of respected me in that moment because you don't really see that a lot within the fashion industry.”
Grant believes that Williams’ habit of helping herself and others grow will help her within the industry. “She wants to grow and do more and more. She’s not afraid to bite anything off and take it and go with it,” said Grant.
Williams’ career aspirations are set on fashion production. She said that she is open to working for other fashion brands since it’s a great way to network and gain experience. However, Williams’ ultimate goal is to open her own production company, while also keeping up with her other passion, designing. “Because why are we limited? Honestly like why can't I do both?” said Williams.