Meet the Designer: Janelle Abbott
From Scraps to Statements
I first met Janelle Abbott, the creator of JRAT, in 2021. A trusted fashion friend suggested we connect when Janelle was in from Seattle. Fresh out of the pandemic, we wore face masks, at the Port Authority shop. We chatted as she dropped off a few pieces from a collection called Jaw Breaker.
It was cool to catch up with her, last week, ahead of her solo show during New York Fashion Week which was on February 9th and her pop-up event at Art to Ware, Westfield World Trade Center, on February 13th. In our conversation, Janelle shared her inspiration behind her latest collection, Homesick Again, her creative process, and her commitment to sustainability in fashion.
Janelle describes Homesick Again as a nostalgic reflection on her lived experiences, specifically growing up watching TV in the 90s and how that media landscape has shifted with the rise of digital streaming. This retro-meets-modern vibe runs throughout the collection, encouraging the viewer to think differently about how they engage with clothing—and to wear more of it, all at once!
Central to her designs is Janelle’s playful yet practical concept called the 3T process, a method that emphasizes layering, texture, and transformation. Janelle’s work challenges traditional fashion norms by encouraging maximalism in a sustainable way—layering multiple pieces to create bold, unexpected statements.
One of my favorite ensembles from Janelle’s collection was a grey top over a mini skirt, crafted from at least four different tops, each with its own unique texture. With asymmetric sleeves and an effortlessly deconstructed feel, it looks like a beautiful accident born from a pile of clothing.
But IRL it’s Janelle’s keen eye for draping, texture, and unconventional silhouettes that makes these pieces pop in a way only she can achieve.
Rather than rushing to use all resources in a single collection, Janelle takes a more thoughtful, iterative approach letting her materials and ideas evolve naturally, ensuring that nothing goes to waste—and that each collection builds on the one before it.
Janelle shares that it is “important to keep the human labor visible in her work”, reminding people that every garment is touched, crafted, and shaped by a real person. Though she acknowledges the challenges of scaling her production sustainably, she remains dedicated to exploring how independent designers can build platforms in the fashion industry without compromising ethics.
A2W is proud to be part of Janelle’s story, and we’re excited to share upcoming projects with our community. Join us at her pop-up at Art to Ware, in the Oculus, on February 13th from 6 – 9PM. You’ll be able to experience the designs up close and shop, Homesick Again.
You can find out more about JRAT on their website and Instagram @janellerabbott.
~ Lesley Ware