Jessica Perry shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are very intentional. I wake up, feed my cat, spend some time practicing visualizations & go into prayer, and then I spend an hour or so reading. This allows me to ease into my day so that I am relaxed and ironically more productive.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jessica Perry. I am owner of J. Mozell Atelier ( Jay Mo-Zell Ah-Tilly- A). J. Mozell Atelier is a rising luxury fashion house rooted in sophistication, intentionality, and timeless design. At its core, J Mozell Atelier bridges refined craftsmanship with modern femininity, offering elevated pieces that reflect grace, strength, and artistic expression. Every silhouette is created with purpose from the cut to the fabric; designed to inspire confidence, presence, and elegance in those who wear it. Built from the ground up, JM Atelier champions slow fashion with a high-end aesthetic, inviting its audience into a world of intentional luxury, where fashion is more than style, it’s an experience.
Some of you may remember a time when the brand was called House of Zell. Imagine House of Zell growing into something more evolved and refined. That is J. Mozell Atelier.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Growing up, I always had an interest in art. I was the child that would draw and paint on the walls in the house. My parents would get upset at first but then recognized that it was a gift. I was given a ton of art supplies every single birthday as a child & ventured into different forms of art. At 9 years old I started sketching my first fashion line followed by learning how to sew. That’s when I knew fashion design was the love of my life. I spent many of days sewing with my mom and coming up with new ideas that I wanted to learn how to sew. I was excited to go to high school and take apparel courses to advance my skills. I met my absolute favorite teacher in high school named Ms. Perry. Ironically we have the same last name. She taught the apparel courses at my high school & actively championed my gift. She encouraged me to pursue fashion design in college and now here I am.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There have been times where I have wanted to give up on myself and my business. I struggled with my mental health for years and it had a direct effect on my creativity. There was a time where I thought I wouldn’t be here honestly. I am grateful to see 30 years because things were looking very bleak around 27/28 years old. I was not creating, I completely gave up on my business, and basically went into hiding. I sort of had a coming to Jesus moment one day in 2024 and decided that I needed to take control of my mental health. The only person that could save me was me. I was privileged enough to have the resources to be evaluated and SURPRISE, I was diagnosed with ADHD and functional depression. I in no way felt ashamed of my diagnosis, in fact I was relieved to finally find out why. This diagnosis changed the trajectory of my life. With the help of consistent therapy, modern medicine, and behavioral modifications I am currently thriving. I recently turned 30 and feel like I have been reborn. I have a whole new outlook on my creativity, I am able to find beauty in all aspects of life, even the not so great aspects, and everything is just much lighter.
ADHD is such an interesting form of neurodivergence . A lot of time it can be overlooked in women because we are so used to always holding it together and juggling 50 things at one time. I would encourage anyone who feels like they can’t get a grasp of their mental health on their own to consult with actual professionals if they are able. Everyone deserves to operate at their greatest potential. I am grateful to be existing in mine.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is a great question. I personally feel like no matter who you are, in different spaces you show up differently. That does not necessarily mean you aren’t showing up as the real you, you are just showcasing a different side of you. This is true for myself. The public version of me is the real me no matter where I am. I have the ability to showcase different sides because I am a multifaceted woman. Someone may encounter me in public and create a certain perception of me, followed by someone else who may come up with a perception that is completely different. Either way I am showing up as myself.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am gone I hope that I am remembered as someone who always went after the things she wanted. I would want people to tell stories like “Yeah one day she randomly said she wanted to design a look for XYZ & within the next year XYZ was in one of her outfits”. Something like that. As I have grown into my womanhood I have been very intentional about keeping the promises that I make to myself. I am hoping that my life’s work will be an example of that. This is just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jmozell.us
- Instagram: @jmozell.atelier
- Facebook: J. Mozell Atelier
- Other: I am currently working on growing and building a Tiktok audience: @jmozell.atelier
Image Credits
Trier C photography
Candice Moore
Joshua Phillips
