Fashion Eye: Rowenna James

Orangeville’s Rowenna James channels her passion for art, painting and fashion into her one-of-a-kind upcycled denim pieces.

November 20, 2018 | | 25 Under 25

Fashion Eye: Rowenna James, 17, Orangeville. Photo by Pete Paterson.

Fashion Eye: Rowenna James, 17, Orangeville. Photo by Pete Paterson.

At a time when most teenagers are trying to fit in, Rowenna James thrives on being different. She has always had a passion for art, painting, fashion and pulling together eye-catching outfits. Rowenna visits thrift stores to find denim pieces to serve as the perfect canvases for her wearable art (saving many a textile from the dreaded landfill to boot). Rowenna says she had always been interested in starting a business, but a presentation to her Orangeville District Secondary School class about a Small Business Enterprise Centre summer company program – which provides funding and support to young entrepreneurs – was the catalyst she needed.

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  • Rowenna wrote a business plan for her company ReVamp and was accepted. She says SBEC co-ordinator Ellen Sinclair has been a mentor and helped her learn a most valuable lesson – managing her time to save some for her personal life! Especially gratifying, Rowenna says, was holding a local art show that was well attended by fans and customers. 25 Under 25Rowenna has her eyes on the Ontario College of Art and Design for postsecondary education because it checks off a major box for her. “If you’re not doing something you’re passionate about, you won’t stick with it,” she says.

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    About the Author More by Janice Quirt

    Janice Quirt is a freelance writer who lives in Orangeville.

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