Jacob Emmett (’23 Fashion Accessories Design)
For Jacob Emmett, creativity isn’t just a passion – it’s a way of life. As a Coach Workshop Apprentice, Jacob has found his calling in the hands-on world of design and craftsmanship. From his roots in Detroit to the fast-paced energy of New York City, Emmett’s journey is one of self-discovery and a deep love for the art of making. In this interview, he shares the rewards of creating with his hands and gives us insight into his day-to-day in one of the fashion world’s most exciting spaces.
The Interview
“If you don’t like what you’re doing, then why are you doing it?”
–Jacob Emmett
Did you always know that you wanted to work in a workshop at an iconic brand like this? How did you get here?
I was always interested in doing something creative. Once I got into the Fashion Accessories Design program, I discovered I care more about making things. I still enjoy designing, but if I wasn’t going to be hands-on for a job, that was a deal-breaker for me.
When you’re working on something and then you see the final product all put together, it’s the best feeling. Even if you’re making something for yourself, whatever it may be, it’s just the most rewarding feeling.
Where do you draw inspiration from? What keeps you motivated?
It’s always changing, but the driving force that keeps me motivated is my surroundings. Whether it’s buildings or the attitude of the city I’m in.
What’s it been like working in New York?
It’s very different moving here from Detroit. I lived there my whole life. It’s a little crazy at first, but I think that there’s a certain momentum with New York. It keeps you moving and keeps you wanting to do things. It can be a bit exhausting at the same time, but it’s very exciting.
Every day is a little bit different. Usually, a member of the design team will come down with some crazy idea and multiple design cards, and then we help them bring it to life. We’ll start on the pattern making, and then we’ll start making a physical prototype so they can see the bag in front of them, and decide what they like and what they don’t like about it. We can tell them certain challenges, some things that might need to be changed, and then we go from there. That’s the beginning steps of what leads to a bag being produced.
What would you say to somebody who is looking to go into a creative field?
Just keep doing things that interest you and that you enjoy, and just try to stay authentic to yourself. When you start dabbling or messing around with stuff that you aren’t necessarily passionate about, you can get stuck in that. That’s when I feel like people start to resent what they do. Try to do things that you enjoy.
If you don’t like what you’re doing, then why are you doing it?
What do you love most about what you do?
I love all the people on my team. It’s very rewarding to come in and spend time and learn from the people around me in the shop. I love all the hands-on aspects of it, from cutting up paper to making prototypes, and working on sewing machines. Just being in the environment in general is what I love the most about it.
How do you feel CCS has prepared you for your career and what you’re doing now?
Personally, I think CCS gave me the opportunity to kind of grow and expand myself as a creative, and figure out my identity in that sense. It definitely was like a big growth period for me and prepared me in that sense. Other than that, just like the fashion studio is amazing, all the machines, all of the professors there, they really help you kind of mold who you are as a designer, all of them. So yeah.
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If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?
Sit back and listen to people. Try to learn as much as you can from the people around you, no matter what. Even if you disagree with what somebody is teaching or viewpoints, just sit back and listen and try to learn from everyone around you.
“I love all the people on my team. It’s very rewarding to come in and spend time and learn from the people around me in the shop.'”
