Episode 195: Interview with Designer Jana Ele S

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, authenticity is rare — and purpose-driven design is even rarer. But designer Jana Ele S is proving that when creativity is rooted in identity, faith, and lived experience, fashion becomes something far more powerful than clothing. In this compelling episode of The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, Jana opens up about her journey from a young girl sketching on scrap paper in Queens to showcasing her collection on the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Jana’s story begins in a deeply personal place. Long before she had a brand or a runway moment, she was simply a creative child with a love for drawing. “Fashion… I feel like it’s always been a part of me,” she shares. Growing up in Queens and attending church in Brooklyn, Jana found inspiration in an unexpected place — the paper wrapped around stockings her mother bought every Sunday. At just five or six years old, she would eagerly wait for that moment, not for the stockings themselves, but for the blank canvas they provided. “I was so excited every Sunday to get stockings because I would start drawing on it,” she recalls.

What makes this origin story especially powerful is how clearly it foreshadows the designer she would become. Surrounded by the vibrant style culture of her church community, Jana began sketching the people she saw around her — women in elegant dresses, men in colorful suits, and individuals expressing themselves through fashion. Even then, her creative instincts leaned toward inclusivity and representation. She remembers drawing “women of different sizes and backgrounds and different hair textures,” an early indicator of her commitment to designing for real women, not just runway ideals.

That early passion eventually evolved into hands-on creation during her teenage years. Like many designers, Jana’s first pieces were experimental and deeply personal. “I think the first thing I did was a shirt I made,” she explains, describing how she began by deconstructing and reconstructing garments she already owned. What started as curiosity quickly became skill-building. By the time she reached her mid-teens, she was designing milestone pieces, including her own prom dress — a moment that would quietly launch her entrepreneurial path.

“The prom dress… everyone loved it,” Jana says. “And they were like, ‘Are you going to make this again? Are you going to do more things?’” That external validation mattered. It was the moment she realized her creativity could translate into real demand — the spark that often separates hobbyists from future brand builders.

But Jana is refreshingly honest about the learning curve. Unlike some creatives who pick up technical skills instantly, she describes herself as a visual learner who needed to observe before mastering. “I have to watch someone do it… I need to see your hands move and manipulate the fabric,” she explains.

This self-awareness became one of her quiet strengths. Rather than rushing the process, she studied, observed, and trained her eye — building the kind of pattern recognition that now allows her to mentally deconstruct garments with precision.

At the heart of Jana’s brand, Glory by Jes, is something deeper than aesthetics. The name itself reflects a conscious pivot in her journey. Originally operating under her own name, she later felt called to reposition the brand with a stronger spiritual and emotional foundation. “I was praying for a faith-based brand… and honestly, it’s been the best decision ever,” she shares.

Her favorite scripture, Matthew 6:33, became a guiding principle. Jana is clear that her mission is to challenge the often superficial reputation of the fashion industry. “The fashion industry can get a bad label… like it’s about vanity,” she explains. “But I believe fashion is so important… it’s about how you feel about yourself.”

This philosophy is not just branding language — it actively shapes how she shows up in the industry. She recounts a backstage moment during a runway show when another designer’s team hesitated to share space. Rather than matching the tension, Jana intentionally chose grace. “I was like, ‘Hey, it’s okay… we don’t have to be nasty and mean,’” she says.

The interaction left a lasting impression on those around her and reinforced her belief that fashion spaces do not have to be competitive in a negative way.

For Jana, the emotional impact of clothing remains the true reward. She speaks passionately about the moment a woman sees herself differently in the mirror. “I love the expression on a woman’s face when she puts something on that she didn’t think she could wear,” she says.

That transformation — from hesitation to confidence — is what fuels her work.

Her New York Fashion Week presentation marked a major milestone, but like most designers, the runway was only one chapter in a much longer process. Jana approaches collection building with a storyteller’s mindset. For her recent showing, the concept began with a name: The Light I Wear. From there, every material choice and design direction followed the emotional theme. “I wanted to choose fabrics that encompassed light — either light in weight, light in color, or light in feel,” she explains.

This intentionality reveals a designer thinking beyond individual garments and toward cohesive narrative. Even more telling is her admission that many sketches never made the final cut — a reminder that disciplined editing is part of professional growth. And she’s not finished yet. Jana hinted during the conversation that additional pieces from the collection are still forthcoming, signaling that her creative vision is continuing to unfold.

What ultimately sets Jana Ele S apart is the intersection of faith, technical growth, and emotional intelligence she brings to fashion. She is not chasing trends for quick visibility. Instead, she is building a brand rooted in meaning — one that encourages women to expand how they see themselves.

For emerging designers watching her journey, Jana’s path offers a powerful blueprint: start with authenticity, stay grounded in purpose, and let skill compound over time. In an industry often criticized for surface-level thinking, her approach feels both refreshing and necessary.

As her brand continues to evolve beyond the runway, one thing is clear — Jana Ele S is not simply designing garments. She is designing moments of confidence, identity, and personal light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFHa3TK_RGw

🎧 To hear the full conversation with Jana Ele S, tune in to his episode on The Savoir Faire Audio Experience, streaming now.