Jude Zimmerman, founder and CEO of the Jude Connally classic clothing line, is wearing the classic Taylor Shirt.
One lovely August day, five years ago, my husband Stuart and I were off to the Saratoga Races, our summer tradition. Afterwards, we strolled along Broadway in historic Saratoga Springs when Stuart spied a pretty hot pink and white lattice designed dress in a store window. He promptly bought it for me. That was my first Jude Connally piece, and the most comfortable dress ever! I was hooked. Soon, every color came home with me! Welcome to the world of Jude Zimmerman, the clever designer who created a charming line of clothes in her unique “Jude material,” which is soft, machine washable, wrinkle-free and made in NYC. I was inspired to learn more about Jude and how she created her line of clothes that are timeless, pretty, and continue to flatter any figure... now, that is a real plus!
What inspired you to start your own clothing line business?
I was 47, raising two sons, and in a job I didn’t like. It was April 2009 and I was running the More Magazine Half Marathon when I had an epiphany. I was asking God to give me something to think about because I had wiped my time off my watch, and I was obsessing about finishing the race in under two hours. Moments later, a woman in a lovely bright blue printed skort went running by me. She stood out in a sea of black that all the other runners were dressed in. It was like this flash of beauty. Immediately I thought, “wouldn’t it be really cool if I could create a line of clothing that allows you to feel good in it while wearing it, but is also fashionable and pretty?!” That was it! I had my purpose and got to work. I launched my first collection one year later in April of 2010.
What is your method of production? Do you sketch before you create your designs or do you let the magic come before you while making your creations?
The process all begins with the color story and inspiring prints! I am always inspired by anything from nature and from what’s happening in the Interior Design world. Once we decide on the color palette and print direction, we determine what styles we feel might be needed or wanted by our customers. My collection is really considered a uniform for so many of our customers. We only create a few new styles each season, as the newness really comes from the colors and the prints.
What have been your most successful pieces?
Our simple Beth shift dress, Megan tunic dress, Trixie and Lucia pull-on pants and versatile Morgan skort are favorites! The “Fab Five” as we like to call them, are staples in every woman’s closet. They are in our “easy-care easy-wear” Jude Cloth.
How did you decide on using such versatile fabric? It stretches and doesn’t wrinkle- brilliant!
Ah…. the fabric! Yes, my entire vision for the collection of beautiful clothes was always about COMFORT! I grew up wearing dresses to school, and playclothes when I got home. Can you guess what I preferred to wear? Playclothes! So, I searched high and low in fabric stores in NYC for just the right touch and feel. When I found it, I thought, EUREKA! I quickly bought a few yards and brought it to a pattern maker who made my first Jude dress. It was love at first sight, and it felt amazing on the body!! Adult playclothes!
Your wonderful dress creations are timeless, which I adore! How do you keep them so “au courant?”
I believe classic styles have all the right bones and you just need to tweak them periodically to keep them “au courant.” I simply adjust things like the sweep, a subtle increase or decrease in length, a repositioning of a dart, etc. The details make the difference.
The moment I put on this Cora Top, a soft tunic with a ruffled neckline and sleeves, I was enamored with it!
My favorite color is pink! Do you have a favorite color? Is there a color that you would say is associated with or considered a trademark color for Jude Connally?
My favorite color is navy, as it is the backdrop for all other beautiful colors! Navy compliments my other favorite colors, orange, fuchsia, blue and green. Orange is probably the color I would say represents the brand, as it radiates warmth and happiness. The color psychology of orange is optimistic and uplifting, rejuvenating our spirit. That’s what I hope our collection does for you!
Jude is wearing a head-to-toe ponte from a previous collection.
What advice do you give to entrepreneurs just starting out?
Be courageous and follow your intuition. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes, and if something doesn’t feel right, then it probably isn’t. Always be honest and ask lots of questions. And don’t ever think you can’t do it. You can!
Was your Mummy a stickler for good manners? Any particular lesson learned that has served you well?
Yes, my mother was a stickler for manners. One lesson that has served me well over the years is to always address people by their name, never just say “hello” or “hi.” I was raised to always address my elders as Mr. and Mrs. Another good manner was when visiting friends’ homes, you always said “thank you for having us,” or if we had company it was always “thank you for coming." “Kindness counts" was a big one in our home, too.