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Jessie Della Femina Interview

Jessie works before and after school.
Jessie Della Femina
Henri Bendel in New York sells out of Jessie's designs a lot.
Henri Bendel
Jessie Della Femina Interview - Reviewed by Kidzworld on Dec 27, 2006
( Rating: 1 Star Rating)

Wouldn't it be cool if, at 15, instead of worrying about keeping up with fashion trends you were creating them? That's exactly what Jessie Della Femina is doing - and she's helping charity too.

Wouldn't it be cool if, as a teenager, instead of worrying about keeping up with fashion trends you were creating them? Well, that's exactly what Jessie Della Femina is doing. Not only is she designing her own, cool and popular clothes - she's helping out charity in the process.

How It Began

It started a couple years ago when Jessie made a funky top out of a hankerchief for her sister. Now this teen has her own line of clothing - everything from tops to pants - and they are selling quicker than Avril Lavigne concert tickets. Jessie thinks up all the designs herself but has help with sewing. She works from her parents basement.

The Clothes

What are you likely to find in a Della Femina design? Well, Jessie is big on color - bright ones, too, like orange and purple. She also likes details, simple beading or glittery touches which add an exotic flare. Henri Bendel, one of the biggest and classiest department stores in New York City sells Della Femina and it's been a huge success. Jessie is still shy about her talent and success, and on a trip to the department store with the CBS Early Show she didn't want to talk to the sales clerk. "When I came here I was too embarassed to ask where it (her clothing line) was. You know, ask for my name," Jessie laughs. "So I have been looking around for the last 20 minutes."

Jessie says she was lucky because she had some fashion industry contacts through her parents - an advertising executive and a journalist. But she says it's been a bit tough because she's only a teen and some people laugh at that. "I wish I was older," Jessie says.

Eventually Jessie is going to go to college but for now she's a full-time fashion diva. What's a girl to do with all that cash from top-selling designs? One of Jessie's good friends has diabetes so Jessie donates a big chunk of her hard-earned cash to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.

1For more on Juvenile Diabetes, click here.

Do you know someone who's doing something really cool? !

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    F1043433359046

    What's Jessie's Dream Job?

    • Fashion designer in Paris.
    • To own her own boutique in New York.
    • New York City Police Commissioner.
    • Firefighter.

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    Dear Dish-It in the forums

    xXxPlasticSmilesxXx
    If you want the "Look" , but don't want to pay the price, I suggest you find cheaper alternatives.  You don't need the brand, you just want something that looks like it. I would recommend JcPenney's for you. When I was your age I would sometimes buy things there and they have constant sales.
    reply about 4 hours
    9bella
    9bella posted in Style:
    dresses
    reply about 4 hours
    xXxPlasticSmilesxXx
    As people get older they tend to change and find new friends. It could happen for a number of reasons. Maybe their interests are different then yours and they've found other friends with similar ones. Either way, it's probably nothing you're doing wrong. My Gpa always told me that If you have one true friend your lucky. More than that? Blessed. Because many people don't have any real friends. I would value the ones you have and not worry about the other ones who "Turned on you" .
    reply about 4 hours
    Gabe200
    Gabe200 posted in Family Issues:
    Me and my brother Eli are enemies. He always does annoying stuff. I do love him but he drives me crazy and I don't know what to do. Please help!!!!
    reply about 5 hours
    Rhema J
    Rhema J posted in Family Issues:
    Maybe a 4. My parents have rules but they aren't really strict rules. Sometimes they can be a bit extreme though
    reply about 7 hours

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